Los Angeles Lakers rumors address whether the current roster can actually be competitive during the 2017-18 NBA season. Rookie Lonzo Ball was drafted to make a big impact on the team, with fans expecting that there would be some growing pains along the way, but that the Lakers were also supposed to be able to compete for a spot in the 2018 NBA Playoffs. Instead, there are some worried LA Lakers fans posting about the team on social media.

The Lakers lost again on Saturday (Oct. 28), with Ball taking a bit of the blame for the on-court struggles.

A report by ESPN stated that Ball felt the loss should be put on him, citing two “dumb plays” that he had against the Utah Jazz. Ball would finish the game with nine points, four assists, two rebounds, two steals, and five turnovers. In the end, the Lakers would lose 96-81 to the Jazz.

Lakers record for the season

Through six games, the LA Lakers are now 2-4 on the season, which actually has them ahead of two teams (Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings) in the Pacific Division. Chasing the Los Angeles Clippers (4-1) and Golden State Warriors (4-2), though, a sub .500-record isn’t going to get it done. The two wins have come against the Suns and Washington Wizards, while the four losses were to the Clippers, Jazz, Toronto Raptors, and New Orleans Pelicans.

Coming up in November, after the Lakers play the Detroit Pistons (4-2) on Halloween, the team has games against the Portland Trail Blazers (4-2), Memphis Grizzlies (5-1), Boston Celtics (4-2), LA Clippers (4-1), and Golden State Warriors (4-2). That’s a lot of tough games for the Lakers and some big tests for the young roster, including the rookie they are using at the point guard spot.

Lonzo Ball stats

In his first six games with the Los Angeles Lakers, Lonzo Ball is averaging 35 minutes a contest. His stats include averages of 10.0 points, 7.7 assists, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Those aren’t bad stats, especially with how close Ball is to actually averaging a triple-double on the season. It’s not close to what Russell Westbrook is doing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, but he is filling up the stat sheets for fantasy basketball owners.

Ball’s shooting percentages are where he could improve on the basketball court. Currently, he is shooting just 31.1 percent from the field, 28.1 percent from three-point range, and 55.6 percent from the free throw line. Those are terrible numbers, even for a rookie in the NBA. Ball needs to improve those numbers across the board if the LA Lakers are going to have any chance at getting to 30 wins, let alone making the 2018 NBA Playoffs.