Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is poised to make his long-awaited return to the NBA, aiming to be ready for the team's first regular-season game. Speaking at the recent media day, Ball expressed confidence in his ability to contribute despite an extended absence from the court.
Lonzo's Long Road Back
The last time Ball played in an NBA game was January 14, 2022. His journey back to the hardwood has been challenging, marked by a torn meniscus in his knee and subsequent setbacks in his rehabilitation. To combat these issues, Ball underwent not one, but three surgeries – including an arthroscopic debridement and an experimental cartilage transplant in March 2023.
In late August, signs of progress became evident as Ball began participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages with other NBA players. Despite these promising developments, Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas emphasized caution, stating, "Going into training camp, we're going to have to bring [Lonzo] up slowly. He's already played 5-on-5, but we haven't seen him go through training camp so there's going to be a lot of learning experience during training camp and how he can take loads, everyday practices."
Karnisovas remains cautiously optimistic about Ball’s status for opening night. However, Ball is expected to be on a minutes restriction and will likely avoid back-to-back games to ease him back into the rigors of regular-season play.
Adjusting His Game
Ball himself is aware of the adjustments he needs to make. "Obviously I'm not going to be as athletic as I once was before," he acknowledged. "But I feel like skill and IQ can go a long way, especially in the league. I'm not too worried about it, obviously my game's going to have to change a little bit, but I still know how to play the game and I think I can play at a high level."
The Bulls roster has undergone significant changes since Ball last took the floor. Star players DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, who were pivotal during Ball's first season in Chicago, are no longer with the team. Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with the Bulls acquiring Josh Giddey as part of the deal.
Ball views Giddey as a capable addition, noting, "I think they're trying to do what's best for the team. Obviously we had a lot of success when I was running point guard, getting rebounds, pushing it up, and Giddey is capable of doing the same thing. For me, I look at it as like, they want to win the most games as possible, and they feel like he can do it, we feel like he can do it and that's why he's here."
Youth and Experience
As Ball prepares to rejoin a younger Bulls team, he is embracing his role as a mentor and experienced leader. "I feel like I can personally play with anybody. I feel a lot older coming back and seeing guys in here now, we have a young team. But I'm excited to get the year started," Ball shared.
The Bulls are banking on Ball's experience and basketball IQ to help guide a roster that features emerging talents such as Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. White was a finalist for the Most Improved Player award last year, while Dosunmu finished the previous season strong and now finds himself in a crucial role.
With a blend of young talent and seasoned leadership, the Bulls are hopeful that Ball's return will catalyze a successful campaign. As fans await the start of the season, all eyes will be on Ball to see how he adapts and leads this dynamic team.