Lonzo Ball’s jump shot has long been the most unique and recognizable mark of his game on the court. The unorthodox style has led to many suggesting all sorts of changes to his form both drastic and subtle. Ball, though, has remained bullish on his shot, citing past success with it at all levels prior to the NBA.
During Media Day, Ball was asked about his jumper and what changes needed to be made. Predictably, he stayed bullish, citing non-physical factors as the main reason for his struggles early in career.
“I think it’s just confidence. I’ve been able to shoot the ball my whole life, honestly. Just getting back to what I know and putting the ball in the hole.”
Last season, Ball shot just 32.9 percent from three-point territory, a figure that was a marked improvement over his rookie year when he shot 30.5 percent. His shooting numbers from his one season at UCLA fly in the face of his numbers in the NBA as he shot 41.2 percent from the shorter three-point line. Likewise, in his senior year at Chino Hills, Ball shot 36 percent from the even shorter line.
The answer to Ball’s struggles is likely somewhere in the middle. His confidence has had a factor in his play his entire career and has been something noted by many, including ourselves. But there are also minor adjustments that needed to be made to fine-tune his jumper.
As Ball enters a new season with a new team, a renewed sense of confidence paired with subtle tweaks could lead to a breakout season.
