Lonzo Ball Has Another Great Game Without Wearing His Sneakers

One day after switching up his sneakers to have his best game yet, Lonzo Ball has turned in another strong Summer League performance. Thursday night against the Cavs’ squad, he finished with 16 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Most notably, he got the triple-double while playing the whole night in James Harden’s competing shoe, and not his own.

Ball already made headlines in his previous game when he scored 36 while wearing Kobe Bryant’s A.D. kicks, instead of his signature ZO2s. Last night, rather than Kobe’s Nikes, Ball was in Harden’s Adidas sneakers, and he notched his second triple-double in three games. Yes, it’s just Summer League, but better to put up unprecedented numbers than not.

Ball also had 7 turnovers and only shot 6-20 from the field, but his shooting was mostly expected to be hot and cold, and the raw highlights are still pretty impressive*. Also worth mentioning is that the changing of his shoes isn’t any kind of repudiation of his brand, but an odd, extended marketing plan:

“Big Baller Brand, you’ve got freedom to do whatever you want,” Ball said on the ESPN broadcast after the game. “I’m showcasing that.”

It remains to be seen if Ball’s pitch, which seems to boil down to, “Don’t worry, you won’t have to wear these crappy shoes,” will entice other players to sign with the Big Baller Brand.

*Upon further review, that’s actually Thomas Bryant making the block while Lonzo jumps and swats at the air.