So Lonzo Ball was a bust

[StrongLurk]

Honestly I called this way back in the day. Even in his high school highlights, he didn't blow me away or anything.

He's a decent passer and defender, but his scoring is way too bad for him to be a starter (11ppg career average on 39/35/60 splits).

Lamelo would be really good if he actually had a brain.

[Xiao Yao You]

Rather have lonzo than beavis

[highwhey]

Honestly I called this way back in the day. Even in his high school highlights, he didn't blow me away or anything.

He's a decent passer and defender, but his scoring is way too bad for him to be a starter (11ppg career average on 39/35/60 splits).

Lamelo would be really good if he actually had a brain.

lamelo is a product of social media, so naturally he will be brainless. it would not surprise me if he uses the words "no cap", breathes through his mouth and is illiterate.

[ShawkFactory]

He's had a bunch of injuries though hasn't he?

I feel like if that didn't happen and he was at his best he'd be a very solid player. Like a taller Rondo type.

[Im Still Ballin]

Scared to take it to the rim because of poor FT shooting. So, Rondo-like in that aspect. Maybe things would've developed differently if he had been the 38.1% 3PT on 6.9 3pa/g & 69.7% FT on 1.0 fta/g that he was between 2020-2025 from the beginning.

He led the PAC-12 in TS% (67.3%), 2PT% (73.2% on 4.1 2pa/g), and shot 41.2% 3PT on 5.4 3pa/g and 67.3% FT on 2.7 fta/g (28.6 FTr).

He didn't have to shoot 70% on his 2PT FGs in the NBA, but you'd have hoped he could've leveraged his three-ball to score inside better. Like, 55% with some FTs would've been nice. More like a Giddey or Haliburton. But it seems like his poor start shellshocked him into accepting a lower-stress role of a 3 & D guy.

[Im Still Ballin]

So, basically, he ended up being a taller, better three-point shooting Rondo. Clearly an impactful player, but his potential shown in college should've had him become something like a Jason Kidd-lite, but with better three-point shooting. Or Tyrese Haliburton with worse offense but better defense.

[Im Still Ballin]

College highlight reel: https://streamable.com/xdjhvv

[highwhey]

College highlight reel: https://streamable.com/xdjhvv

that hook shot is so ugly. i always liked that he could play D though, seemingly becoming a rare thing amongst PGs

[ImKobe]

OP knew he'd get serious injuries that would derail his career?

[Xiao Yao You]

Scared to take it to the rim because of poor FT shooting. So, Rondo-like in that aspect. Maybe things would've developed differently if he had been the 38.1% 3PT on 6.9 3pa/g & 69.7% FT on 1.0 fta/g that he was between 2020-2025 from the beginning.

He led the PAC-12 in TS% (67.3%), 2PT% (73.2% on 4.1 2pa/g), and shot 41.2% 3PT on 5.4 3pa/g and 67.3% FT on 2.7 fta/g (28.6 FTr).

He didn't have to shoot 70% on his 2PT FGs in the NBA, but you'd have hoped he could've leveraged his three-ball to score inside better. Like, 55% with some FTs would've been nice. More like a Giddey or Haliburton. But it seems like his poor start shellshocked him into accepting a lower-stress role of a 3 & D guy.

Couldnt make a lay up like rubio last i saw so might not just be his ft %

[Im Still Ballin]

Couldnt make a lay up like rubio last i saw so might not just be his ft %

Just checked his drive FG% from 2018-2022, and yeah, it wasn't pretty. Like, 33-35% on 1-2 FGAs/g. Crazy how he went from such a high 2PT% at UCLA to that.

[StrongLurk]

Bro the taller Rondo comparisons are not accurate at all. WTF?

Rondo's creation and passing ability was far superior to Lonzo...same with Rondo's scoring to be honest.

A Ricky Rubio comparison is probably more accurate. Lonzo was simply a limited player form a skill set perspective and athletic perspective. He was basically a below average, back up PG.

[StrongLurk]

OP knew he'd get serious injuries that would derail his career?

He was never good before injuries so...and yes injuries do factor into a "bust" label. Just look at Zion who is a far better on-court player than Lonzo. Zion is getting Bust labels too.

[ImKobe]

He was never good before injuries so...and yes injuries do factor into a "bust" label. Just look at Zion who is a far better on-court player than Lonzo. Zion is getting Bust labels too.

Yes he was. Zo's an elite defender and an elite playmaker and he developed into a reliable volume 3PT shooter. Without the injuries he's easily a starter on a title contender which is far from being a bust. He had his struggles in his early career but his last 2 years leading up to injury he developed into a good 2-way player.

Career-wise he's a bust sure, but saying he was never good means you have no idea what you're talking about.

[StrongLurk]

Yes he was. Zo's an elite defender and an elite playmaker and he developed into a reliable volume 3PT shooter. Without the injuries he's easily a starter on a title contender which is far from being a bust. He had his struggles in his early career but his last 2 years leading up to injury he developed into a good 2-way player.

Career-wise he's a bust sure, but saying he was never good means you have no idea what you're talking about.

Bro he was a number 2 pick. Sure he was a good defender and a reliable 3 point shooter, but he still lacked a lot. Saying he was an elite playmaker is a joke lol. Complete hyperbole dude.

When I say he was never good, I mean he would never even be a fringe all-star type of guy. He is mostly a good BACKUP PG, which is not much for a number 2 pick.