Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is finally seeing the light at the end of a long and grueling tunnel. Last seen on an NBA court on January 14, 2022, Ball's path back has been littered with injuries and setbacks. However, his recent participation in 5-on-5 scrimmages signifies promising progress.
In January 2022, Ball tore the meniscus in his knee, an injury that sidelined the promising guard's burgeoning career. Initial surgery was followed by a second arthroscopic debridement procedure. In an attempt to find a more lasting solution, Ball underwent an experimental cartilage transplant surgery in March 2023. Despite the ordeal, Ball has stayed focused on his recovery.
At the Bulls' recent media day, Ball struck a cautiously optimistic tone about his prospects for returning in time for the team's first regular-season game. Arturas Karnisovas, the Bulls' President, shared the sentiment but emphasized the need for a gradual reintegration. "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 commented.
Having endured an arduous rehabilitation, Ball acknowledges that his game will likely need some adjustments. "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," Ball stated.
However, the Bulls will approach Ball's return with caution. He is expected to be on a minutes restriction and unlikely to feature in back-to-back games. The team's dynamics have also shifted since Ball's last appearance. Key players like DeMar DeRozan and Alex Caruso, pivotal during Ball's first season with Chicago, are no longer part of the roster. Caruso has been traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, with Josh Giddey coming to Chicago as part of the deal.
Despite these changes, Ball remains optimistic about his role and the team's prospects. Reflecting on the trade and the addition of Giddey, he shared, "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."
Stepping into new roles this season is an emergent talent, like Coby White, who finished as a finalist for Most Improved Player last year, and Ayo Dosunmu, who found himself in a crucial position following a strong previous season. The team's youth and potential seem to excite Ball as he anticipates his return to competitive play. "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.
As the Bulls' training camp unfolds, all eyes will be on Ball to see how swiftly and effectively he can reintegrate into the team's rhythm. The franchise, while optimistic, intends to manage their star guard's comeback prudently. The upcoming weeks will be critical to determining the trajectory of Lonzo Ball's return and the impact he might have in the 2023-24 NBA season.