Lonzo Ball not concerned about Lakers’ presence at UCLA


Steve Alford had more to say than Lonzo Ball about the presence of the Lakers head coach and two of the team’s starting five at UCLA’s win over Washington Wednesday night.

With UCLA’s freshman point guard expected to be one of the top picks in the 2017 NBA draft and the Lakers in possession of a top-three protected lottery pick – and the third worst record in the league – it’s not surprising the franchise would be interested to see the local product in action.

Alford didn’t want to speak for Ball, but doesn’t think any of his players have been affected by the steady stream of athletes and entertainers at UCLA games this season, among them Magic Johnson, Jessica Alba, Vince Vaughn and Derrick Rose. Wednesday was the second time Lakers forward Brandon Ingram has attended a UCLA game this season and the first for Luke Walton and D’Angelo Russell.

“I would say it doesn’t have an impact because we’ve had other players from the NBA here all year,” Alford said. “We’ve had scouts in here all year. The other day was our 86th practice and we’ve had scouts at 75 or 76 of them. So our guys are used to that. I’d be shocked if they played at a higher level all of a sudden because there’s a certain franchise that’s in the house.”

At his postgame news conference following a 19-point, eight-assist and seven-rebound performance in the 98-66 win over Washington, Ball said he didn’t notice the Lakers contingent in the stands. If he did, his answer probably would have been identical.

“No, I didn’t (notice them),” Ball said. “I just go out there and play no matter who’s in the stands.”