As the Chicago Bulls gear up for the upcoming NBA season, all eyes are on guard Lonzo Ball, who has expressed his confidence in being ready for the team's first regular-season game. Ball, who last played in an NBA game on January 14, 2022, has been sidelined due to a series of knee issues, including a torn meniscus, and multiple surgeries that followed.
Ball's journey back to the court has been anything but smooth. Following his initial injury, he faced numerous setbacks in his rehabilitation process, necessitating a second knee surgery, specifically an arthroscopic debridement procedure. Most recently, in March 2023, Ball underwent a third and experimental surgery—a cartilage transplant.
By late August, Ball had made significant progress, participating in 5-on-5 scrimmages with other NBA players, signaling his impending return. Despite these advances, Bulls President Arturas Karnisovas remains cautiously optimistic about Ball being ready by opening night, emphasizing a prudent approach to his participation. "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 explained.
It’s anticipated that Ball will be on a minutes restriction initially and likely will not participate in back-to-back games, a sensible measure given his extended time away from the court and the severity of his injuries. Reflecting on his recovery, Ball acknowledged the changes he will need to adapt to: "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."
The Bulls' roster has seen significant changes during Ball’s absence, most notably with the departure of key players DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso. Caruso was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a deal that brought in promising young guard Josh Giddey. Despite these shifts, Ball remains positive about the team’s prospects and his role within it. "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," Ball noted.
The return of Ball also coincides with critical junctures in the careers of fellow Bulls guards Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu. White, who was a finalist for Most Improved Player a year ago, and Dosunmu, who finished last season strong, are both expected to play crucial roles in the team's success. Ball’s experience and leadership will be invaluable in nurturing the young talent on the roster. "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 remarked.
With Ball's anticipated return and the strategic adjustments within the team, the Chicago Bulls enter the new season with a blend of caution and optimism. The focus will be on gradually integrating Ball back into the lineup while leveraging his basketball intelligence and skills to augment the team's dynamics. The upcoming training camp and initial games will be telling in how well Ball adapts to the demands of the NBA once again.