NBA: Walton: Lonzo doesn’t go on the bench

Lonzo Ball crashed at the Los Angeles Lakers last and had to sit on the bench for four quarters in each of the last two games. Coach Luke Walton has now said that this is not a permanent option.

After Sixth Man Jordan Clarkson showed himself to be much more formally than No. 2-Pick Ball, Walton was asked on Thursday after the Lakers training whether a role reversal was an option:”He is our Starting Point Guard”, Walton replied,”There is no discussion, no consideration to bring Lonzo from the bank. No. He’s our starter.”

Ball had only played 2 points, 2 assists and 5 rebounds against Philly, hitting only one of his nine throws. The Point Guard then admitted that he was thinking too much. Maybe it’s good for him that he’s angry and a bit frustrated now,”Walton said about the normally almost emotionless rookie.

The coach also hinted that the affair over his brother LiAngelo, who was arrested in China, had a much greater impact on Ball than he himself admits:”That’s what it has to be. It’s family, and they’re very close. If my younger brother was arrested in China, it would destroy me. But this is speculation – you have to ask Lonzo. But I suppose so,”Walton said.

Ball scores an average of 9 points, 6.9 assists and 6.6 rebounds for the Lakers. However, so far it has only hit 30.3 percent of the field and 23 percent of the three-line.