Lonzo Ball might just be the perfect vibe check for Ohio’s Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs’ newest point guard made headlines this week, not for another injury update or comeback story, but for a hilariously honest take on Cleveland itself.
“I like Cleveland, the guys joke with me because I didn’t know that Cleveland had water,” Ball said with a laugh. That water? Lake Erie, which borders the city and is basically Cleveland’s own inland ocean. For a guy who’s spent his NBA career bouncing between Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Chicago, this was apparently news. And honestly, it’s kind of refreshing. Ball’s lighthearted comment shows exactly why he’s fitting right in with a Cavs locker room that’s already full of personality and swagger. Most of the fans seem to enjoy it too. “This guy has jokes, I like him,” wrote one fan via X.
According to Sports Illustrated, for years, the former No. 2 overall pick has been in the headlines for the wrong reasons, mostly the countless knee injuries that cost him two full seasons and nearly derailed his career. But now, the talk around Lonzo is positive, and that’s huge for both him and Cleveland.
Can Lonzo Ball Be Cleveland Ohio’s Difference Maker?
When he’s on the floor, Ball is a game-changer. Over his six seasons played, he’s averaged 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game while hitting 36% from three and swiping nearly two steals a night. That two-way ability is exactly what this Cavs team needs, especially with Darius Garland sidelined to start the year with a toe injury.
Sure, his numbers last season, 7.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists in 35 games, don’t scream “superstar.” But Cleveland isn’t looking for Lonzo to be the guy. They just need him to be steady, to keep the ball moving, and to keep this team afloat until Garland returns. And based on what we’re hearing, Ball is ready to do just that.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst even compared the move to some of the league’s most underrated championship-level acquisitions. “With Darius Garland expected to miss the start of the season recovering from toe surgery, Lonzo Ball could have a bigger role on the court,” Windhorst said. “But the Cavs view this as like their Alex Caruso move, like their Jrue Holiday move. The last two champions had moves like that right before the season.”
Can Cleveland Optimize Lonozo Ball
That’s some pretty high praise, and it’s not just media hype. Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson seems fully bought in on the Lonzo experience, too. “With his history, we need to have a plan in place,” Atkinson said. “We need that guy healthy for the playoffs because he is a heck of a player. He fits what we do, and I just love his character.“
And that’s really what this comes down to: character. Cleveland’s roster is built around stars like Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley, but their bench has been a weak spot in past playoff runs. Ball not only brings experience and defense but also seems to be meshing with teammates and lightening up the room something that can’t be measured on a stat sheet.
As the Cavs get ready to tip off the 2025-26 season, expect Lonzo to play a big role, both as a playmaker and as a locker room presence. If he stays healthy and keeps this same energy, Cleveland might have found their secret weapon for a deep playoff push, and maybe, just maybe, a little more love for Lake Erie along the way.
