Lonzo Ball returns to the NBA with a new team and an old story to tell about Kevin Durant

Lonzo Ball has always been a player who breaks the mold. Since entering the NBA, Ball’s game, his media-savvy family, and especially his unusual shooting form have sparked endless conversation. But now, on his own podcast What an Experience, Lonzo dropped an unexpected detail. That quirky shooting motion—one that looked like it came from a glitched video game—was actually born from trying to imitate Kevin Durant. Specifically, when Durant was lighting it up at the University of Texas.

Lonzo Ball admitted that as a teenager, he obsessively studied Kevin Durant’s movements, trying to replicate his smoothness and offensive aggression. The result was a left-side release that looked strange but worked for Ball. Still, his coaches weren’t exactly thrilled.

Staying true to his style

During his college years at UCLA, coaches repeatedly tried to tweak Lonzo Ball’s mechanics. But a preseason tour in Australia proved one thing: Lonzo Ball could only score consistently if he stuck to his original form.

As highlighted by The SportsRush, Lonzo Ball stood by his shooting style, arguing that on-court productivity mattered more than textbook aesthetics. And he had a point. During his time with the Pelicans, under shooting coach Fred Vinson, Ball managed to refine his shot without losing effectiveness. In fact, in the 2021–22 season with the Bulls, Lonzo posted a career-best 42.3% from three-point range.

Performance and the big move to the Cavs

But it wasn’t all upward trajectory. Chronic knee injuries kept Lonzo Ball off the court for nearly two years. His overall shooting efficiency dropped to 36% in the NBA. Zo attributes that decline not so much to technique, but to a loss of confidence—a factor that weighs heavier in elite sports than most people admit.

Now, with a fresh start on the Cleveland Cavaliers after a summer trade, Lonzo Ball is looking to reclaim his place in the league. The Ohio franchise hasn’t reached the Finals since 2018, and they’re hoping Ball’s experience, defense, and court vision will be the spark they need to return to contention.

Lonzo Ball learned to shoot by watching a superstar. He was criticized, but he defended his style through thick and thin. Now, after years of adjustments and rehab, Zo is ready to write a new chapter. In Cleveland, the shot isn’t broken—it’s part of his legacy.

 

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Una publicación compartida de Klutch Sports Group (@klutchsports)