The Los Angeles Lakers drafted Lonzo Ball as the second overall pick in this year's NBA Draft. With Magic Johnson as the president of basketball operations, and Lonzo Ball as the leader on the court, the Lakers are hoping their fortunes will turn around in the next couple of years. If this year's Las Vegas Summer League is any indication, Lakers fans should be excited to see Ball in the "Purple and Gold" uniform. He's already showing flashes of his great potential, and his performance against the Philadelphia 76ers was special. Lonzo finished with 36 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and five steals in a 103-102 Lakers' victory.
What made this performance even more special is that LeBron James was in attendance at the Thomas & Mack Center as he came to see Ball perform at his best.
LeBron was impressed
It seems like even LeBron James himself was impressed after seeing what Lonzo was able to do against the Philadelphia 76ers. According to ESPN, Ball became the first player in Summer League history to score at least 30 points and dish out at least 10 assists in a game. LeBron was apparently aware of Ball's great court vision, and before leaving the game with six minutes remaining he told ESPN's Jeff Goodman: "He can really pass it." James can certainly relate to being a pass-first player as he is regarded as one of the best passers in the history of the NBA.
Getting a compliment like that from a three-time NBA champion and four-time league MVP has to be special for a young player like Lonzo Ball. After the game was over, Ball was also asked about what it meant for him to see LeBron James in the stands.
Lonzo anxious to play against James
Ball joined ESPN's SportsCenter for a postgame interview, and he talked about the possibility of playing against LeBron James next season.
He said it is going to be a lot of fun for him to go against LeBron, and he can't wait to show what he's capable of doing against the best player in the world. The 6-foot-6 point guard from California also spoke highly about James' influence on him growing up. He said: "You know, growing up, that’s kind of like our Michael Jordan."
The 2017/2018 season will be the 15th of LeBron James' career and even though he is still the best player in the league, father time is undefeated.
There are many rumors and speculations that next season might be his last in the Cleveland Cavaliers uniform and that he could decide to join the Los Angeles Lakers. If this happens, seeing Lonzo Ball and LeBron James on the same team would be a thing of beauty.
