During their one season together in Los Angeles, Lonzo Ball and LeBron James went from strangers to close friends. Ball has spoken openly many times of his admiration for James’ game before the season started. During the season, particularly in the latter months, James and Ball grew closer, noted largely by Ball’s appearance on James’ HBO show “The Shop.”
Ball took advantage of the opportunity of being teammates with James as he recently revealed on a podcast appearance with California Baptist University head coach Rick Croy.
“The person who’s mentored me the most in the last year is probably LeBron. Just being with him pretty much the whole year: same team, same bus, same hotel. I was just always with him and just picking up what I can from the greatest to ever play.”
Late in the season once James went down with injury, he and Ball could often be seen on the bench together often talking and joking. Regardless of the subject matter of those conversations, it was clear Ball and James had created a bond.
That bond is why many thought Ball would be spared in an Anthony Davis trade or a lead to Ball signing with Klutch Sports. While neither of those things happened, it wouldn’t be surprising if the bond continued on in the future.
