Honestly, been thinking about this whole situation now for a minute and my only conclusion is that Lonzo is just not ready. He is still a child. Physically, mentally, emotionally. All of it. He is just not there yet. I firmly believe at 6'6 190 hes scared to bang with the big boys. Mentally adn emotionally it shows too - his bro is in China, he regresses. His shots don't go in, he regresses. All behaviors of a child thrown into the mix cold turkey - maybe thats not whats best for him.
I think in hind site we are going to look back and wish we would have just been more patient with him. Bringing him off the bench initially (too late for that now) and easing him into his role. The fight last night sort of solidified this rhetoric for me. He is 14 at heart and he will need more time. I know people grilled D'lo for this too but D'lo was precocious- with his tattoos, cuts in his brows, pointing to his veins etc. He wanted to act like the man but couldn't. Lonzo is quiet and reserved because he's legit scared. He's the equivalent of a pre-pubescent 7th grader from the burbs going to high school in Compton (Hope I don't offend anyone). A 7th grader with lots of potential and talent sure and thats why I think he'll be alright but I fear that people wont be patient with him.
Earl Watson said it well when he said he would tell Lonzo that its ok to fail. Its ok to be scared. Talk to him about personal stuff not just basketball. Get inside the mind of Lonzo. Ease him into it. Unfortunately Lavar has a lot to do with this too and why this wasn't the approach.
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