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Home /Magic Johnson: Lonzo Ball is 'the new face of the Lakers'


Published 9:35 p.m. ET June 23, 2017 | Updated 20 hours ago USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt discusses the biggest story lines to come out of the NBA draft, including Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and the Timberwolves’ big trade for Jimmy Butler. Newly drafted Los Angeles Lakers player Lonzo Ball poses for photographs with his game jersey following introduction to media at Toyota Sports Center.(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) — Magic Johnson pointed a long index finger at the wall of the Los Angeles Lakers’ training complex, where the 16-time NBA champions’ nine retired numbers hang over the practice court.

“I’m going to put a little pressure on you right now,” Johnson said to Lonzo Ball. “You look to your right, there’s some jerseys hanging on that wall. We expect a Ball jersey hanging up there one day, all right? Good.”

Somebody not wearing Big Baller Brand sneakers might be a bit intimidated by Johnson’s bold pronouncements. After all, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations immediately dubbed his 19-year-old point guard “the new face of the Lakers, the guy who I think will lead us…

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