While his team may not be interested in keeping his services, Lonzo Ball has gained an appreciation and respect from his peers across the league. The likes of Kevin Durant, Brandon Ingram and JJ Redick have all, at some point, discussed the bright future Ball has.
Andre Iguodala was the latest to discuss Ball’s game and how much he enjoys it while on Redick’s “The Old Man & the Three” podcast. The two discussed Iguodala’s time on the Warriors, the great teams he played for, and what separated them from others when Iguodala eventually brought up both Ball and Ingram as players he likes.
“The really great teams, everyone was happy for everyone else’s success. That’s where our game is trending in the wrong direction. I’m getting older so I try not to be as pessimistic on the new generation because you always get ‘Why do the old guys hate?’ Remember we used to always say that?
Now we’re the older the guys so I’m trying to make sure – because there are some young guys I really, really like. There’s some young guys where I’m like ‘Hey, I really like that kid.’ Like Brandon Ingram is one of my favorite young guys. Lonzo Ball I really like a lot. He picked me up full court one time and I’m like ‘Ok, I like him.'”
Ball has often spoken about his desire to win games over personal success. Late in the season with New Orleans when Ball set his career-high in points twice inside of one week, the underlying theme through those games was Ball’s message of doing what was needed for the team to win.
Following the team’s overtime win over the Timberwolves in which he scored 33 points and tied his career-high in 3-pointers in early May, Ball left the night pleased mostlylon with the team’s win.
“I’m just happy we won. The points are going to be there depending on the night. I’m not really too worried about that. It’s the fact that we won is all I care about. I know we have to finish these last nine (games) strong so that’s what I’m focused on.”
To Iguodala’s point, Ball – and Brandon Ingram – care most about winning games with their individual statistics a secondary matter.
