Why Lonzo Ball’s summer league performance is an encouraging sign for his rookie season

No rookie has eyes on him during Summer League play like Lakers point guard Lonzo Ball.

There’s focus on his shooting struggles. There’s analysis on if his absence in Monday’s game in Sacramento had more to do with ducking a No. 5 pick De’Aaron Fox than an actual groin injury. And, of course, there’s attention on his outspoken father, LaVar.

Even through all those circumstances, I explain in the latest “We Want Tacos” Lakers podcast why Ball’s summer-league play has mostly been encouraging for his rookie season. The episode also features sound from Lonzo Ball, teammates Brandon Ingram and Jordan Clarkson, Lakers head coach Luke Walton and summer-league head coach Jud Buechler as well as LaVar Ball himself.

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter and on Facebook. E-mail him at mmedina@scng.com. Subscribe to the “We Want Tacos” podcast on iTunes.