Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has declared his readiness for the team's first regular-season game, an encouraging sign for Bulls fans eagerly awaiting his return. Absent from the NBA court since January 14, 2022, Ball’s prolonged hiatus was marked by a torn meniscus in his knee and subsequent setbacks during rehabilitation.
Feeling the weight of misfortune, Ball underwent a second knee surgery, an arthroscopic debridement procedure, and later a third, experimental surgery - a cartilage transplant - in March 2023. These numerous surgical interventions echo the arduous journey Ball has undertaken to reclaim his place in the lineup.
"Going into training camp, we're going to have to bring Lonzo up slowly," affirmed Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas. "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 experiences during training camp and how he can take loads, everyday practices."
In late August, Ball moved a step closer to his return by participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages with fellow NBA players, a promising development that has instilled cautious optimism within the Bulls’ front office. "He’s shown great progress, but we’re taking a careful approach to ensure he’s fully ready," Karnisovas added.
Despite the optimism, Ball is expected to be on a minutes restriction and likely will not participate in back-to-back games initially, indicating that the team is focused on a gradual reintegration to mitigate any risk of re-injury.
Tactical Adjustments and New Faces
Ball’s return also symbolizes a shift in the Bulls' backcourt dynamics. During his initial season with Chicago, Ball’s leadership was complemented by the prowess of DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. However, the landscape has significantly changed as both players have since departed. Caruso was traded to Oklahoma City, bringing Josh Giddey to Chicago’s roster through the exchange.
"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, and pushing it up, and Giddey is capable of doing the same thing," Ball remarked. "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 reshuffled backcourt will see Coby White, a finalist for the Most Improved Player award last year, and Ayo Dosunmu, who ended the previous season on a high note, taking on more critical roles.
"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, expressing his readiness to adapt to the new team composition and mentoring younger teammates.
Adapting and Evolving
Ball has faced the reality of his physical transformation head-on, acknowledging that he might not match his former athleticism, yet confident in his intellectual grasp and skillset. "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. 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."
Bulls fans will be watching closely, hopeful that Ball's resilience and high basketball IQ will drive the team forward. With training camp slated to further test his readiness, Ball’s return marks a significant narrative in the Bulls' quest for success this upcoming season.