Lonzo Ball’s Candid Discussion on His Podcast
In a candid discussion on his podcast, Lonzo Ball, who formerly played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, opened up about his experience during a challenging season for the team. Despite the Cavaliers’ struggles, Ball feels he unfairly became a target for criticism from frustrated fans.
“I don’t think my performance has been as poor as people are claiming,” Ball expressed, acknowledging his role as a focal point for blame.
He admitted,
“I know I’m the scapegoat right now, but that comes with the position and expectations that came with my signing. I’m not suggesting I played exceptionally well, but I also don’t believe I was as bad as portrayed.”
Expectations and Performance
Ball was expected to step into a crucial role for the Cavaliers, ideally emulating the impact of players like Jrue Holiday or Alex Caruso, particularly as a defensive point guard capable of facilitating play and stretching the floor. However, his time in Cleveland was marked by difficulties, as he struggled significantly with his shooting, managing only a 30.1% success rate from the field coupled with a dismal 25% from three-point range. This drop in efficiency limited his ability to contribute effectively during games.
“I’m just missing shots. People see the 25% shooting rate but don’t consider I’m averaging four attempts per game and only making one. It’s a struggle, but I don’t believe our wins or losses hinge on just my four shots.”
Team Challenges and Overall Performance
It would be misguided to conclude that Ball was solely responsible for the Cavaliers’ difficulties early in the season. The team endured multiple injuries, inconsistent effort, and widespread shooting woes that affected the overall performance. Ball’s numbers reflected these challenges—he ranked in the absolute bottom of the league with minimal points per shot attempt and a high turnover rate, indicating he was not helping the team’s cause when on the court. Overall, the Cavaliers performed nearly 5.5 points worse when he was active.
Conclusion
In sum, while Ball has recognized room for improvement in his game, he stands firm in his belief that he is not the worst player in the league, challenging the narrative that has circulated among disappointed fans and critics alike.
