The NBA summer league ended a couple of days ago, and Magic Johnson is putting a lot of stock in Lonzo Ball’s performance

Lonzo had an incredible summer league — there’s no denying that. Magic Johnson, who’s an intelligent guy, believes that success is going to translate to the NBA. The second overall pick averaged 16.3 points, 9.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds in his six games, and that included two triple-doubles against the Cavaliers and Celtics.

“You can see that. If [Lonzo Ball] is getting triple-doubles in the summer league, he is going to get triple-doubles during the regular season,” said Johnson, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk. “Just like me, when I got here, there was pressure. I was the No. 1 pick [in 1979]. I didn’t care about that. I am going to play my game. Lonzo is going to play his game. The great ones do.”

It’s a challenge to opine about a prospect during summer league. A lot of people don’t take it seriously while others do but with a grain of salt. Success in Orlando, Vegas or Utah isn’t indicative of what’ll happen in the NBA, and Magic, of all people, should know this.

If I had to bet on Lonzo getting at least one triple-double this season, I’d take it. The chances are too high. Malcolm Brogdon was the lone rookie to record a triple-double in 2016-17. Before that, Elfrid Payton did it twice in 2015. Including those two, there have been 40 rookies since 1984 to do what Magic expects from Lonzo, according to Basketball Reference. Of that group, 13 have tallied more than one, and Jason Kidd holds the record with four in 1995.

Also Read: Our All-NBA Summer League Teams

People have said more outlandish things regarding Lonzo. These comments pale in comparison to LaVar saying his son is going to be the greatest point guard of all time. Magic knows his subject matter, and I don’t believe he’d say anything over the top until Lonzo has proven himself. However, I disagree with Johnson basing his comments off of summer league play.

Being a potential star meant that Ball is already one of the more talented players in Las Vegas. And he showed why. Things are going to change when he’s matching up against those better than him.

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