Basketball prospect Lonzo Ball's highly-anticipated Los Angeles Lakers debut on Friday night started with a flourish with a perfectly timed lob pass to Brandon Ingram.
But that was one of the few bright spots for a player Magic Johnson has dubbed as the new face of the Lakers in a 96-93 summer overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
The No. 2 overall draft pick scored just five points and missed 13 of his 15 shots, to the disappointment of a near-capacity crowd that came out to see him.
His father summed up the night with some of his trademark straight talk.
"He don't be discouraged because that's the worst he can do," former NBA player LaVar Ball said.
"He can't go but up. And he still kept them in the game playing his worst game ever. That's what I like about it."
Lonzo Ball was one for 11 from three-point range and was slow to react on defence, including when Brice Johnson made a quick spin past him for a dunk.
"Tough game. We didn't get the job done," Lonzo Ball said. "I need to be better."
Regardless, his father was talking big.
"The Lakers fans are coming and my boy is gonna bring 'em out," LaVar Ball said.
"Because there's excitement for the game. It's entertainment. That boy is going to entertain. He's been doing it all his life."
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