Lonzo Ball’s turnaround as a shooter last season was a huge catalyst for his breakout season overall. After shooting just 31.5% from three in his two seasons in Los Angeles, Ball’s percentage jumped to 37.5% in New Orleans, including a stretch of 45 games in the middle of the season where he shot 39.2%.
Ball has credited assistant coach Fred Vinson for the changes made to his jumper. Vinson developed a bond with not only Ball but Brandon Ingram as well as the trio had a ritual on the road last season that included workouts the night before games.
Vinson’s future with the franchise was up in the air this off-season after the firing of head coach Alvin Gentry. However, Vinson was one of the few coaches from Gentry’s staff retained by new coach Stan Van Gundy.
Naturally, when Ball spoke to the media last week about Vinson, happiness was his reaction to Vinson returning.
“I was very excited,” he said. “I know (Ingram) was, too, seeing that Fred was back on the staff. We were with him all year, not only me but (Ingram) as well. He’s definitely helped us both a lot so just to have him back is definitely a big confidence boost and we’re just happy he’s here.”
“He got my mechanics right,” Ball continued. “We’re just in the gym all the time so whenever you’re working on your craft, you’re obviously going to get better at it.”
Vinson also received credit for his work with Ingram, helping him also improve as a jump shooter. While Ball’s changes came at the top of his jumper with his hands and release point, Ingram’s came at the bottom of his jumper with his feet and positioning.
Still, the results were the same for Ingram as they were Ball as his three-point percentage lept to 39.1% last season after three seasons at 32.9% in Los Angeles.
If Vinson can continue to provide the type of coaching and instruction that led to a pair of breakout seasons with Ball and Ingram, it could spell good things moving forward with a young Pelicans side.
