LeBron James: Most important Lakers team-mate revealed by NBA pundit
LONZO BALL will emerge as LeBron James’ most important team-mate at Los Angeles Lakers.
That is according to FOX Sports pundit Cris Carter.
The Lakers’ campaign began disappointingly on Thursday night with a 128-119 loss to Portland Trail Blazers.
Luke Walton’s side lacked coherence in their defensive play at times and it seemed that James’ chemistry with team-mates is still a work in progress.
The young team’s task does not get any easier as they welcome the Houston Rockets - who won the Western Conference last year - to the Staples Center.
If Lonzo develops his jump shot then he will be able to move the meter with LeBron
James and point guard Rajon Rondo played the most minutes in Oregon, but Cris Carter believes another player on the roster will prove James’ most valuable team-mate.
“LeBron’s favourite team-mate is probably going to be Rondo,” Carter conceded on First Things First.
“I’m just gonna tell you - it might not be his favourite team-mate, I believe the most important is Lonzo Ball.”
Ball had his rookie season last term, averaging more minutes per game than any other Laker.
The point guard entered the NBA with serious hype after his dad, LaVar Ball, became a national TV personality for his outlandish claims regarding what his three sons would deliver in basketball.
Ball, 20, is expected to have a more withdrawn role this season given the signing of Rondo, who is a more experienced playmaker.
Explaining why Ball will nevertheless be pivotal to James, Carter said: “The reason why is not only because of his skill set. A lot of it has to do with the organisation.
“If he can be the difference-maker at the point guard, it becomes even more attractive who they’re going to get in free agency beyond this season.
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“In the West, let’s not forget who you’re competing against. Chris Paul - he’s ageing, Steph Curry - he’s ageing, but these guys still got two to four years in their primes.
“You’re gonna have to deal with those point guards. We saw the two Portland threw at them.
“As long as the Lakers are developing, if they want to play at pace… If Lonzo develops his jump shot then he will be able to move the meter with LeBron.
“If you have a superstar point guard who has a lot of the attributes of LeBron, I believe that to be significant.”