When Lonzo Ball is engaged, he can be an absolute menace both on defence and out in transition.
The only problem is, he isn’t always engaged…even admitting as much himself.
Much like a five-year-old coming down off a sugar high, Ball sometimes needs a push to remain functional.
As it turns out, his fiery teammate Rajon Rondo has been tasked with keeping him on track.
And Rondo has been going about it in classic Rondo fashion.
Allow Lonzo to explain (via ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk):
“Yeah, he’ll try to get into me,” Ball said.
“Just stuff to try to get me going. He talks a bunch of trash in practice all the time, which makes me pretty mad.
“I told him, my whole life I [respond to] getting yelled at [by the coach] so that is how I respond … if you see stuff, just yell at me. I tune into it. That is how he tries to help me out.”
It’s certainly interesting that someone as quiet and reserved as Ball would respond well to such heavy-handed treatment.
Especially considering he’s already consumed his lifetime recommended dose of shit talk thanks to his dad.
But Lonzo is a glutton for punishment and seems to know what’s good for him.
Who knew the Ball-Rondo combination could work so well behind the scenes?
For more Basketball Forever content, follow @bballforeverfb and @nickjungfer.