Lonzo learned how to accept blame for losses from LaVar, LeBron
Days after the Los Angeles Lakers fell 96-81 to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena, rookie Lonzo Ball's willingness to accept full responsibility for his team's defeat hasn't wavered.
Players as young and inexperienced as Lonzo aren't usually ones to carry that burden, but since doing so was instilled in him at a young age by his father, LaVar Ball, it just comes naturally to the 20-year-old point guard.
"That is how I was brought up," Lonzo said after practice Monday, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "I am not going to change. ... It is a team game; we all play for each other, obviously we win and lose as a team. But I like to take the blame when we lose.
"It's just what my dad taught me. When I started at six, he has been coaching me the same way my whole life."
Related: LaVar Ball: Lonzo gets bad rap because I talk about him
Lonzo has acknowledged in the past that he grew up idolizing All-Star LeBron James, who continues to lead by example as the face of the Cleveland Cavaliers organization, and perhaps the entire league.
"My favorite player growing up is LeBron," Lonzo added. "He still plays the same way to the day. He always takes it [blame]."
As the Lakers were attempting to claw their way back against Utah late in the third quarter, guard Donovan Mitchell jumped out of the building for a putback slam that could have been prevented had Lonzo boxed out, which he admitted afterwards. Lonzo proceeded to turn the ball over almost immediately after the inbound pass, resulting in a Mitchell 3-pointer that increased the Jazz's lead to 11.
While he attributes those two errors as the biggest factors in why the Lakers didn't leave Salt Lake City with a win, Ball also believes his team's sluggishness on offense played a part, as well.
"More pace, run on makes, I feel like we are kind of walking up the ball too much," Lonzo said. "And that is obviously my fault because I am the point guard so just got to push the pace a little better."
Los Angeles is 2-4 on the season, with Lonzo averaging 10.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.4 steals, albeit on 31.1 percent shooting from the field. He'll take the floor again on Tuesday when the visiting Detroit Pistons make their way to Staples Center.