OK after my taking exception, like anyone gives a crap to his not wearing a Lakers branded top .....on to more important things. I wish Lonzo would loosen up with the rote, short 3 sentence answers. Maybe just him but damn compare that to Magic Johnson. His enthusiasm, his vibrance and knowledge of the game from being the greatest guard ever .... I could listen to Magic talk lakers basketball for hours. He could have and undoubtedly has had highest dollar motivational speaking gigs. Rob so great too. A little different than Jim in the front audience row with beard stubble, hunched in his chair with a baseball cap on and Mitch droning with of course nowhere near that kind of charisma and for only a few sentences. I miss Jerry West but Magic is as great a basketball player and basketball mind as he is and some decades younger with energy to spare for years.
Agree. He just sound robotic, and I know he has a personality, but just seems to be saying the stuff an agent would tell you to say.
It reminds me of corporate LeBron. But corporate LeBron seriously is a lot more engaging than that. Loosen up kid, share your excitement and passion. Magic came in like that and still kicked a** as a leader. It's another main reason he was so loved. Kobe didn't give rote interviews. I'm sure the beat reporters don't appreciate it. Too guarded. But oh man I am excited because I think this kid is going to be special and just take our team game to a new level. This year.
There are no official rules, that I know of. I mean, Miami retired Jordan's number. (someone explain that one to me). FWIW, the Lakers have more in the Hall of Fame than jerseys' retired. I love Fisher, but he has zero chance of making the Hall of Fame. But his number 2 will be retired by the Lakers...... when Ball retires.
I just think Lonzo's normal speaking style sounds a little too street for the media, an "N" word might slip out, so he has to keep it professional.
I like that Lonzo seems pretty unfazed by everything. Comes across as very grounded which should help him.
He was described as a "sponge" with information, but I think that word also fits his personality on screen.
Can't believe how many people are rooting for the kid to fail just because of his dad. Ridiculous. Anyone who's watched Lonzo's interview and his college career he's the complete opposite of LaVar. Look forward to Lonzo proving those people wrong. There will need to be adjustments and tweaks to that shot, but he obviously is a pretty efficient shooter as is despite the unothordox release. He'll be fine. Kid is a hard worker. He wants to win and succeed as this level. I have no doubt he'll work to be a better defender as well. Anyone who watches the kid's tape can see his special and unique ability as a passer. He doesn't overpass just to rack up assists. He reads defenses and makes the right play. A young point guard with that rare ability to make the proper basketball play is why if the Lakers were picking number one that's still the guy I'd want to be picked. He makes his teammates better obviously. He elevated that team above and beyond what many expected them to be. He's a competitor. He likes taking the big shots. Yes we said the same about Russell and it was true about him. The difference here is Lonzo knows the balance between scoring and being aggressive and finding your teammates. That's huge.
How many pass first PGs are there that can shoot ? Chauncey Billups comes to mind. Magic and Kidd couldn't shoot until later in their careers. Like @Lakers2015 I'd have taken Ball at 1 too. Whether it's a young team or a veteran team, you always want a pass first PG that makes others better. He's already 6'6 and might grow another inch or two. Huge advantage at the PG spot.
Am on my phone so haven't heard him with Serena above yet. But based on what I saw at his press conference yesterday and the 1st two comments above, I agree with where realdeal's comment is coming from and that was my immediate 1st impression and comment yesterday. Everyone knows what I think of LeBron the "brand" but if this is how Lonzo's choosing to treat his interviews I would rather listen to LeBron even. Stone faced, guarded, cliche, clipped 3 sentence answers leave me cold. Frozen. Hope Magic or someone explains to him it would be a good thing to warm up and show some of the love and enthusiasm he has for the game.
I think maybe he's trying to appear all business/serious while coming across as grounded/humble at the same time. Might just be his personality, might be how he is with the media, he might be trying to not act all cocky and talk a bunch and put an even bigger target on himself. Oh and he gets hate because of his dad, but he also gets double hate not because he's a Laker. That's how it goes, people hate us.
Don't worry. Ball will loosen up. Not everyone has the dynamic personality of Magic from the start. I think Ball is being cautious and is avoiding being overly "confident" in his responses. Once he starts playing and gets adjusted you'll see more personality. He will let his play do the big talking first. Heck I watched Kobe his entire career and I remember his first few years he really tried to be MJ but over the years you saw more of Kobe and in his later stages he was one sarcastic prick with the media.
