Alvin Gentry, Lonzo Ball had private discussion after slow start

Lonzo Ball’s individual play has mirrored that of the Pelicans as a whole since entering the bubble at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex. As the team has gone winless in the first two games, Ball has been particularly poor.

After showcasing an improved jumper prior to the lockdown, Ball shot a combined 4-of-19 from the field in the first two games in the bubble and 2-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also was part of the Pelicans’ turnover problem with six through the opening two games.

In hopes of righting the ship for Ball, head coach Alvin Gentry had a private conversation with his starting point guard prior to the team’s game on Monday against the Grizzlies. ESPN’s Doris Burke revealed the meeting between coach and point guard after Ball opened Monday’s game with a three-pointer.

“(Ball) had a bit of a struggle since arriving down here at Disney, so it’s good to see him get off to a good start. In fact, Alvin Gentry was concerned enough that they had a private conversation saying ‘Hey, you need to get your confidence back to where it was just prior to the hiatus.’”

While his impact does not always come across in the box score, Ball has been vitally important to the Pelicans this season. His playstyle meshes nearly perfectly with that of Gentry’s as he often sets the pace for the Pelicans with his ability to push the ball upcourt whether by running the floor or via hit-ahead passes.

While the Pelicans’ problems run much deeper than Ball’s slow start, getting him back on track could go a long way in helping the rest of the team get back into its pre-lockdown form.