Dating to the preseason, Lonzo Ball has made it a point to become a better leader in his fourth year in the league. While it’s something both he and Stan Van Gundy have spoken about this season, it’s not something Ball — or any other player — can self-evaluate.
That makes Eric Bledsoe’s comments after Sunday’s win over the Hornets interesting. Ball’s backcourt mate throughout the season, Bledsoe has seen Ball’s development throughout the year and spoke on how he’s improved as a leader.
“Just the way, when he has the ball, how mature he is with making plays,” he said. “He’s been doing it all season long. No matter win, lose, he always wants the ball. Even if he doesn’t have the ball, he tries to encourage other players out there. He’s just going to get better as he gets older.”
Most recently, Ball spoke about his need to improve as a communicator by telling a story of his rookie season, using it as an example of learning when he needed to speak up in the locker room. As he’s grown more comfortable in his role within the league and the Pelicans, he’s become a more natural leader on the court, which has helped him to his breakout season.