VIDEO: Lonzo Ball Holds His Own With JJ Redick in 3-Point Contest at Pelicans Practice

Picking Zion Williamson with the first overall pick had Pelicans fans ecstatic, but if New Orleans also gets a healthy Lonzo Ball with a reliable jumper, they might just be able to sniff the playoffs this upcoming season. Ball, whose shooting form looks drastically different from last season, had a friendly shooting competition with fellow Pelicans newcomer and renowned sharpshooter JJ Redick in practice, and even though the former came up short, he put up a surprisingly good fight.

Zo's new shooting form may not look as pristine as Redick's picture-perfect shot, but the change in his release point may cause the former No. 2 pick to be a more accurate shooter.

Ball has shot 31.5% from deep through two NBA seasons but an abysmal 43.7% from the free-throw line, so clearly improvement was needed, and it looks as if the eldest Ball Brother has finally discovered a shooting form with which he's both comfortable and efficient.

Now we just have to see it in a game.

Ball is ready to take full control of his career, and if that confidence can translate onto the court and lead to results, the new-look Pels could be a force to be reckoned with in the West before long.