Lamelo Ball is Already Better Than Lonzo

Through 18 games, Lamelo Ball has made a serious argument of being the best Ball brother. Lamelo is currently a rookie and is on limited minutes, so I am comparing them per 100 possessions. Lamelo leads Lonzo in all main categories, averaging 22 points, 11.5 assists, and 11.8 rebounds, compared to 15.8 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.7 rebounds from Lonzo. Both of them have the same career defensive box plus/minuses at 1.0, however Lamelo has a much higher offensive box plus/minus at 0.5, which is more than Lonzo who is a below average offensive player at -0.7. Overall, Lamelo has been an above average and efficient NBA player at 1.5 box plus/minus, whereas Lonzo is below league average at -0.1. Lamelo has a higher career field goal percentage, three point percentage, and free throw percentage. Lamelo’s PER of 16.1, is far more impressive than Lonzo’s mere 12.4 PER. My main concern with Lonzo is his lack of confidence. When watching Lonzo, he gets timid to finish, only taking 13.8% of his total shots by the rim, far too low for a 6’6 point guard. Lonzo is on the last year of his rookie contract, and during this summers restricted free agency, his value is certainly up in the air.