Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball remains optimistic about his return to the court for the upcoming NBA season, after a prolonged hiatus due to multiple knee surgeries. Speaking at the team’s recent media day, Ball conveyed his confidence in being ready for the Bulls' first regular-season game.
Lonzo Ball’s last appearance on the NBA hardwood came on January 14, 2022. The extended absence stemmed from a torn meniscus in his knee, compounded by setbacks in his rehabilitation efforts. After an initial surgery went awry, Ball underwent a second procedure, an arthroscopic debridement, to clean up the injured area.
March 2023 marked another pivotal moment in Ball’s recovery journey when he opted for an experimental cartilage transplant surgery. His rigorous path to recovery saw a glimmer of hope in late August when he joined other NBA players in 5-on-5 scrimmages, signaling a significant step forward.
Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas, while optimistic, maintains a cautious stance about Ball's readiness for the season opener. "Going into training camp, we're going to have to bring [Lonzo] up slowly," Karnisovas said. "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."
Ball himself acknowledges the changes his game may need to undergo, "Obviously I'm not going to be as athletic as I once was before, but I feel like skill and IQ can go a long way, especially in the league," he commented. "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."
Ball is expected to ease into the season with a minutes restriction and is unlikely to play in back-to-back contests. His presence will be pivotal for the Bulls, especially in the absence of key players from his first season with Chicago. DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, both critical during Ball’s initial run with the team, are no longer on the roster. The Bulls traded Caruso to the Oklahoma City Thunder, acquiring Josh Giddey in the process.
Reflecting on the roster changes, Ball stated, "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."
The Bulls have other potential bright spots in their backcourt as well. Coby White, who was a finalist for Most Improved Player last season, is expected to take on a significant role. Additionally, Ayo Dosunmu, who finished the previous season on a strong note, finds himself in a crucial position as the team navigates through the changes.
Despite the team's youth and the numerous adjustments, Ball is eager to begin the new season. "I feel like I can personally play with anybody," he asserted. "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."
As Ball gears up for his return, the Chicago Bulls' strategy revolves around cautious optimism, ensuring that their star point guard is brought back at the right pace. The upcoming season holds promise for the Bulls, with the hope that Lonzo Ball can lead the charge once again, albeit in a slightly different capacity, leveraging his skill and basketball intellect to steer the team forward.