NBA newcomer Lonzo Ball is prepared to take on the defense of Patrick Beverley when their respective teams meet tomorrow night at the Staples Center. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers will begin their 2017-18 regular seasons facing one another.
"I have been watching the NBA for a long time, [Beverley] definitely picks up full court and plays hard. It is going to be a lot of fun. He is going to go at me, I am going to go at him, and it is going to be that," Ball said according to ESPN. The brewing rivalry between Ball and Beverley started in September when the former's father, LaVar Ball, stated that Stephen Curry would not dare defend the Lakers rookie.
Beverley responded to this through a tweet:
But imma guard him the first game and we will see about that!!! @Lavarbigballer https://t.co/FXSIXjHGHP
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) September 15, 2017
It is interesting to see how Ball will perform while being guarded by Beverley. In the preseason, the 19-year-old provided decent numbers despite only seeing action in two games because of an ankle sprain. However, he has not faced a defender of Beverley's caliber.
Andrew Bogut is ready
Lonzo Ball is not the only player the Los Angeles Lakers are expecting to return from injury come their season opener. In a tweet by Mike Bresnahan of Spectrum SportsNet, he revealed that head coach Luke Walton said Andrew Bogut is "ready" for their game versus the Los Angeles Clippers.
Walton raved about Bogut's play today, said he had several blocked shots, showed some offense. Added that Bogut should be ready for opener.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) October 17, 2017
Bogut, a one-time NBA champion, was signed by the Lakers in September. Some were surprised by this move since Los Angeles already added two centers (Brook Lopez and Thomas Bryant) earlier in the offseason.
Bogut dealt with visa troubles and a groin injury which kept him on the sideline for the majority of training camp and the preseason.
Vander Blue's comeback
In other Los Angeles Lakers news, Vander Blue is rejoining the squad after getting waived recently. Shams Charania of The Vertical reported that Blue agreed to a two-way deal with the Lakers.
It means that he is going to suit up for them and their NBA G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers.
Blue was a part of the Lakers team that won the 2017 Las Vegas Summer League championship. Together with the likes of Lonzo Ball and Kyle Kuzma, the 25-year-old stood out in the short tournament. Unfortunately, when it was time for the Lakers to come up with their final roster for the new season, Blue got axed. Now, he received another opportunity to represent the purple and gold franchise. He is likely the first man the Lakers will call up when they need another man on the roster.
