Lonzo Ball underwhelms in NBA Summer League debut

MANILA, Philippines – The number two overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft debuts with a dud for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lonzo Ball had a woeful performance for the Lakers in a 96-93 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, July 7 (Saturday in Manila) in the Summer League. 

He had just 5 points and 5 assists, on two-of-15 shooting, including a one-of-11 clip from long range, plus 3 turnovers in 32 minutes of play. He also had 4 fouls.

He had a promising start with a calm alley-oop lob to Brandon Ingram to open the scoring.

Lonzo kicks off #LakersSummer with a big-time pass to BI (: @SpectrumSN & ESPN) pic.twitter.com/BA0j9Aeflv

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 8, 2017

 

But that was soon eclipsed by a bad game that even included the UCLA star tripping over his own feet.

Lonzo Ball’s shoes need to go back to the factory. pic.twitter.com/CMM23eBaG0

— Dylan (@DylansFreshTake) July 8, 2017

 

Ball tried a couple of times to tie the game in overtime but bricked his shots.

Lonzo Ball for the tie….NOPE…Lonzo for the tie again….NOPE pic.twitter.com/yVHGOXyFBy

— gifdsports (@gifdsports) July 8, 2017

 

Another lowlight came when he was schooled by second year forward Brice Johnson, who exploited a mismatch in the post.

Pretty baller move tbh pic.twitter.com/jhqdXVyyMc

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) July 8, 2017

 

Ball’s father LaVar had this to say about his son’s disappointing first showing:

LaVar Ball on Lonzo Ball’s debut: "His worst game ever… [but] he changed the Lakers’ culture." pic.twitter.com/u8g4OYJiey

— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 8, 2017

 

– Rappler.com