What Laker fans can take away from Lonzo Ball workout

Lonzo Ball worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers today and afterwords spoke to media. What the young man had to say should speak volumes to Laker fans, many of which are hearing him for the first time.

By now Laker fans have heard every angle of the conversation surrounding Lonzo Ball. The home-grown, UCLA prospect sparked a narrative in LA fit for the silver screen. Albeit largely due to LaVar Ball and the Big Ballers Brand, it was certainly time Laker fans had a Lakers filmed, produced, and edited, straight from the horses mouth interview, into the character and game of Lonzo Ball.

That’s exactly what Lakers fans obtained after a buzz of press filled the room and an emerging crowd of reporters formed what could only resemble Kobe’s media circle–around Lonzo Ball–the Lakers potential number 2. pick and future franchise player.

Inside the Lakers practice facility media personal fired away at Lonzo, and for the entire interview the young prospect answered questions telling of his character and what he believes he can accomplish with the Lakers as a basketball player.

When asked if Los Angeles was where he wanted to play:

“Of course,” Ball said. “ I want to stay home.”

The Lakers haven’t been title contenders since 2012, but when asked how he could help change the culture of the Lakers if the team did indeed draft the 6ft-6 point guard this offseason:

“Everything you do, you have to do for the team,” he said. “Bring a winning atmosphere in here and I feel like I can do that.”

What can you bring to the team to help turn things around

“They [Lakers] have a lot of good players, but they need a leader, a point guard, and I feel like I can bring that to the team.”

What type of leadership qualities can you bring to the team:

“Justing bringing in a winning attitude, banding everyone together, and getting this done together.”

When asked about Magic Johnson, Ball had a supply of praise foretelling of what Laker fans can expect from Ball’s game:

“My dad loved him [Magic], loved the way the Lakers played, so I kind of patterned my game after that.”

“Magic Johnson is one of the greatest players to ever play and I love the way coach Walton coach and Rob’s a great dude too, so meeting all them was just a blessing.”

Did Magic imparted any wisdom during your dinner or workout

“He’s [Magic] a big point guard, I’m a big point guard. He likes to push it, I like to push it. He likes to pass, I like to pass.”

“A lot of stuff I can do on the court, help the guys off the court and like I said he’s the best point guard to ever play so I can learn a lot of things from him.”

It was nice to hear from Lonzo first hand about his father LaVar and what people have criticized as an unnecessary distraction with potential downside.

“Everybody has an opinion, I know who I am, people that know me know who I am and that’s all that matters.”

“They said that about me in high school, they said that about me in college, and I don’t think that will affect me.”

But besides from the calm demeanor and reassurance of poise after Laker fans had to deal with LaVar Ball’s antics over the last few weeks, Laker fans heard a young player full of confidence. Lonzo did not hesitate to say the Lakers need a leader, a point guard and getting back to a winning culture backed by a team first attitude. Lonzo also mentioned he had not spoken to any current laker players and did not hesitate to speak on the possibility of not being drafted by the Lakers.

“I think I can come to any team and help them.” he responded. “Like I said, I’ll go to any team and do what I do and just play basketball.”

Although it is hard to say for certain the Lakers will draft Lonzo Ball with the number 2. pick, but the new front office of the organization made their message to the young prospect loud and clear; and what they would expect from him if drafted by the Lakers:

“They said they want me to come in, and if I get picked, to come in and be a leader. Play with a lot of pace. The study they were saying was positive, and it kind of fits my game.”