Perhaps no offense is better suited between coach and point guard than Lonzo Ball running Alvin Gentry’s up-tempo system. It’s a match made in basketball heaven for both sides with Ball exceeding in playing at a high pace and Gentry desiring his team get up and down the court quickly.
Ball came in and took the mantle as the offensive initiator from Jrue Holiday, one of the most established guards in the league. Not only has Holiday willingly taken a step back offensively, he recently commented on Ball’s role with the Pelican offense.
Via Pelicans writer Jim Eichenhofer:
“He’s more like a traditional (point guard), but mixed with a new era. The passes he makes are tough passes. The way he plays is like a quarterback, but he can also score, get into the paint. He does a little bit of everything.”
New Orleans has made an established effort of getting the ball in Ball’s hands this season. While still relatively low, Ball’s usage rate of 18.4% this season is the highest mark of his career. While the Pelicans average 103.72 possessions per game, that number increases to 104.45 with Ball on the court, a figure that would be second-best in the league. Considering how much the ball is in Ball’s hands, it’s a notable increase.
Ball’s increase in efficiency as the point guard this season has also been notable. His 29.2% assist percentage is tied for a career-high with his rookie season, his true shooting percentage of 50.9% is a career-high and his 50.2 effective field goal percentage is a career-high.
Because of Ball’s increased production level, and Holiday’s willingness to allow Ball to run the offense, the Pelicans are fighting for a playoff spot. Down the stretch, both will be under a bigger spotlight as well as the team as a whole.
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