Coby White is the first to speak in the middle of a still quiet locker room. “ Today was going to be a special day, no matter the outcome. Zo is back guys! It’s a blessing to have been on this journey. We have seen the ups and downs. It was quite a night for him », enthuses the rear.
And the latter ends up sending the match ball towards his teammate, Lonzo Ballto a round of applause. The scene takes place at the end of the pre-season meeting against Wolves, during which the playmaker made his comeback after months of absence.
“ One last thing, like Coby said, I respect you more than anything for everything you've been through. We love you, we care about you. I'm happy to see you back », Adds Zach LaVine, offering him a jersey autographed by the rest of the team.
This beautiful collective sequence ends with a noisy and energetic gathering around the ghost, who blurts out: “ One, two, three, family. » « Having the match ball and a jersey signed by everyone, I will never forget it “, book after the fact Lonzo Ball on this moment.
“Faster than it seems”
This match and what followed in the locker room ended an interminable sequence of convalescence for him: two blank seasons and more than 1,000 days of absence! “ This number seems so crazy, when I read that… 1000 days! »
His reaction when he learned he was going to have to have a cartilage transplant? “ It breaks the heart. Something you love is taken away from you and top professionals tell you they don't know if you'll be able to play again. The fact that I was able to take a path, be on the same page as several doctors, have a plan and execute it allowed me, 1,000 days later, to play the sport I love. I couldn't ask for anything else. »
Despite the length of his absence, the 26-year-old feels that “ It happened much faster than it seemed. The journey has been incredible, it has been long. But a lot of people were with me, supported me, and everything came together. »
Lonzo Ball insists he didn't go through this ordeal alone. “ I did this journey, but it was not a solo journey. The Bulls were behind me 100%, my teammates supported me, the medical team… » Paid support for a player who can finally get back on track with his career.
| Lonzo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 52 | 34 | 36.0 | 30.5 | 45.1 | 1.3 | 5.6 | 6.9 | 7.2 | 2.3 | 1.7 | 2.6 | 0.8 | 10.2 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 47 | 30 | 40.6 | 32.9 | 41.7 | 1.2 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 5.4 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.4 | 9.9 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 63 | 32 | 40.3 | 37.5 | 56.6 | 1.1 | 5.0 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 2.0 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 11.8 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 55 | 32 | 41.4 | 37.8 | 78.1 | 0.6 | 4.2 | 4.8 | 5.8 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 14.6 |
| 2021-22 | CHI | 35 | 35 | 42.3 | 42.3 | 75.0 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.4 | 5.1 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 0.9 | 13.0 |
| Total | 252 | 33 | 40.0 | 36.4 | 57.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.7 | 6.2 | 2.2 | 1.6 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 11.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
