Ball Watching, 12/13/17

In the latest episode of Ball Watching, Lonzo's Lakers fell 113-109 in overtime on the road to Kristaps Porzingis and the New York Knicks. Statistically, Ball actually put together a pretty nice game hitting six of thirteen shots from the floor (his six makes being the most he'd had in a single game since November 11th), hitting three of six shots from 3-point land (he was a combined two for thirteen over the previous four games), finishing with 17 points (most since he scored 19 on November 11th) and grabbing eight rebounds to go along with six assists.

In five December games, in which the Lakers are now 2-3, Ball is averaging 8.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 6.2 assists while shooting 39.5% from the field (a marked improvement from the 30.4% he shot in November). 

Next up for Ball and the Lakers, a trip to Cleveland tomorrow night where he'll face off with LeBron James. 

Just for kicks here's a look at how Ball's rookie numbers compare with LeBron's rookie numbers, as well as the rookie campaigns of some other notable guards:

Lonzo Ball - 8.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 7.0 apg, 32.7% FG PCT

LeBron James (2003-2004) - 20.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 41.7% FG PCT

Oscar Robertson (1960-1961) - 30.5 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 9.7 apg, 47.3% FG PCT

Jerry West (1960-1961) - 17.6 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 4.2 apg, 41.9% FG PCT

Magic Johnson (1979-1980) - 18.0 ppg, 7.7 rpg, 7.3 apg, 53.0% FG PCT

Isiah Thomas (1981-1982) - 17.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 7.8 apg, 42.4% FG PCT

Clyde Drexler (1983-1984) - 7.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 45.1% FG PCT

Michael Jordan (1984-1985) - 28.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 51.5% FG PCT

Gary Payton (1990-1991) - 7.2 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.4 apg, 45.0% FG PCT

Jason Kidd (1994-1995) - 11.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 7.7 apg, 38.5% FG PCT

Kobe Bryant (1996-1997) - 7.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 41.7% FG PCT

Tracy McGrady (1997-1998) - 7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 45.0% FG PCT

Dwyane Wade (2003-2004) - 16.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.5 apg, 46.5% FG PCT

Chris Paul (2005-2006) - 16.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 7.8 apg, 43.0% FG PCT

Russell Westbrook (2008-2009) - 15.3 ppg, 4.9 rag, 5.3 apg, 39.8% FG PCT

Stephen Curry (2009-2010) - 17.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 46.2% FG PCT

James Harden (2009-2010) - 9.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 40.3% FG PCT