Using the parlance of our times, Lonzo Ball has a lot of “haters”. Also using the parlance of our times, he also has a lot of “nuthuggers”. The first game of his career, last night, was a major victory for group one, as he was utterly shut down by a combination of Patrick Beverley, Magic Johnson, and the high expectations placed on him. But tonight, with the national-television spotlight shining elsewhere, and with no tougher defender than Eric Bledsoe in his way, he put up a performance reminiscent of, you know, screw it, I had a different Laker in mind, but let’s just say what we’re all thinking right now:
Magic Johnson.
Magic Johnson, a couple decades younger, HIV-free, with a lot more acne and a lot less melanin.
Let this be a lesson to those who wish to judge a player’s bustworthiness after one game. Everyone knows it takes AT LEAST five games before the book on a player’s career is written. The purveyors of hot takes went wild last night, and, now that I think of it, will probably go wild again tonight. Perhaps I am guilty, myself? I retract what I said about Magic Johnson. Too hot of a take. Let’s rewind a bit and go back to the original Chris Duhon comparison I was going to make.
Lonzo Ball, the next Chris Duhon. Nice.