Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Lakers Nation
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • Lakers 2025 Preseason Schedule
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Search
  • Rumors
  • Schedule
    • 2024 preseason
    • 2024-2025 regular season
  • Videos
    • YouTube
    • Podcast
  • FAQ
  • About
    • About Lakers Nation
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
  • Download Our App
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Lakers Nation > Blog > Lakers News > Lakers News: Kyle Kuzma Says Lonzo Ball Does ‘Great Job’ Of Handling Pressure Created By LaVar Ball
Lakers News

Lakers News: Kyle Kuzma Says Lonzo Ball Does ‘Great Job’ Of Handling Pressure Created By LaVar Ball

Corey Hansford
Published: 05/21/2018
3 Min Read
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

The Los Angeles Lakers did an excellent job of bringing in talent via the 2017 NBA Draft. The two players who stood out most were second overall pick Lonzo Ball, and 27th overall selection Kyle Kuzma.

The two had completely different paths to the Lakers. While Kuzma was a late-riser in the draft process, Ball was the most high-profile prospect for most of the previous year thanks to the constant expectations heaped on him by his father, LaVar Ball.

LaVar continued to make headlines during Lonzo’s rookie year which only served to put even more pressure on the rookie, but it never showed if you ask Kuzma.

During a recent appearance on “Undisputed on FS1,” Kuzma praised his fellow rookie for his ability to handle the constant pressure he’s under:

“That hype, it will forever be there for the rest of his career. But for him, he does a great job of really masking it. You never really see it on his face. That’s a great quality he has.”

Very few rookies have ever been under the scrutinty that Lonzo faced in his first season. A local product from Chino Hills, it was no secret that his dream was to be a Laker.

LaVar never let anyone forget that, speaking it into existence as he put it, and it just continued during the year.

In addition to LaVar’s words, Lakers president of basketball Operations Magic Johnson proclaimed Lonzo the face of the franchise at his first press conference while also telling him not to break all of his Laker records.

Even through all of that, no one could ever tell that any of it was bothering Ball when talking to him. He kept the same demeanor throughout the year while continually noting that his father had been that way his entire life so he was used to it.

Lonzo has plenty of room to grow and this summer will be crucial to him beginning to reach his potential, but as Kuzma said, his ability to remain calm under pressure is truly something to be applauded.

WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE NEW LAKERSNATION FORUM CLUB

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Kyle KuzmaLaVar BallLonzo BallLos Angeles Lakers
ByCorey Hansford
Corey Hansford is the Senior Editor for Lakers Nation, as well as a contributor for Dodger Blue, Rams News Wire, and Raiders News Wire. He is a passionate follower of the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chelsea FC, and the UFC. He can usually be seen arguing the merits of Kobe Bryant or cursing the decisions of Jerry Jones. He is also a former producer and associate producer for Sirius XM Sports Radio on both the Fantasy Sports Channel and College Sports Nation. Proud graduate of Long Beach Poly High School and The Real HU, Howard University, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. Follow him on all social media outlets at @TheeCoreyH.
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Lakers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?