Account
Magic Johnson Calls Lonzo Ball Face of Lakers, Expects Retired Jersey
June 23, 2017
After the Los Angeles Lakers selected Lonzo Ball with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft yesterday, the former UCLA star and team president Magic Johnson wasted no time raising expectations for the franchise.
Johnson opened the introductory press conference by calling Ball the "new face of the Lakers," per ESPN's J.A. Adande.
Continuing with his opening remarks, Johnson pointed out all of the retired jerseys featuring Lakers legends, then had a comment for Ball.
"We expect a Ball jersey hanging up there one day," Johnson said, per ESPN's Baxter Holmes.
Johnson did note he hoped Ball wouldn't completely erase him from Lakers history.
"Lonzo, leave me one or two records, OK?" he said, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Ball seemed receptive to the idea of eventually having his jersey retired by the Lakers, per Medina.
Ball has been given the keys to the Lakers franchise. If there was any doubt about that after Thursday's draft, Johnson confirmed this will be his team right away.
The 19-year-old didn't have a problem being the face of UCLA basketball for his one season in college. It's likely a moment he's waited for his entire life, and now it's officially his time to carry the torch for the franchise.