Lonzo Ball’s unique skillset as a point guard makes him one of the more fascinating ballhandlers and players in the league. His pass-first, low-usage style also makes him a perfect fit in Alvin Gentry’s up-tempo offense.
The point guard-head coach pairing has been a match made in basketball heaven this season and has been a big reason why the Pelicans have surged toward the playoffs in the weeks and months leading up to the NBA stopping the season.
The Pelicans’ roster largely complements Ball’s style and Gentry’s system, allowing the team to get up and down the court throughout the game. Josh Hart, who has spent all three years of his career with Ball, recently talked about how Ball’s passing opens up possibilities offensively for New Orleans.
“He makes us play at an unbelievable pace. I mean, being able to make pin-point pass from three-quarters court, whether that’s for a three for JJ (Redick) or ‘Twaun (E’Twaun Moore) or somebody in the corner, or a lob to Zion (Williamson). So it’s such an advantage for us being able to have that. I mean, if a team scores and two seconds later we get a lob to Zion for a dunk, I mean, for the other team that’s deflating and for us it’s a big – it helps with momentum.”
The Pelicans are currently second in the league in pace at just shy of 104 possessions per game. But that doesn’t fully explain Ball’s impact on the game. Only four players make more passes than Ball’s 66.7 per game and each have a usage percentage larger than Ball’s.
Ball’s 12.8 potential assists per game also rank 15th and assist points created is 11th at 18.4 per game. While other players in the league are better at creating shots out of a pick and roll for teammates, Ball’s ability to move the ball forward in transition and move the ball quickly in the half-court both are inherently valuable aspects of what has made the Pelicans offense so successful.
