” I think my first test will be this August playing five-on-five for the first time, all-court. » Lonzo Ball, passing through the WAE Showhad announced it himself at the end of July.
According to the Chicago Sun Timesthe test in question was successfully passed for the Bulls point guard. As scheduled, the latter returned to play under normal conditions. Without any reported problems.
The former UCLA star, who hasn't played on an NBA court since January 2022 due to three knee surgeries, spent the summer stepping up his training, from personal work to 1-on-1, then 2-on-2… Which doesn't mean that all the obstacles have been overcome.
He not only needs to regain fitness, but also show that he can handle the demands of the Major League for an extended period. And even if he passes those tests, he will likely start the 2024/25 season, as he imagines, as Josh Giddey's backup with limited playing time.
Last season of contract
The Chicago franchise would have every intention of entrusting the keys of the attack to the Australian, back from Paris after having filled up on confidence on the individual level. Olympic performances that the Bulls' leaders did not fail to observe.
The challenge for Lonzo Ball will be to try to show that he can still play in the NBA as he enters the final year of his $21 million contract. In late May, there was talk of a 70 percent recovery in his knee. The former Lakers and Pelicans player appears to have made progress since then.
” I have no complaints so far. Week after week, I am more comfortable. I feel like my movements are getting back to normal the longer I stay on the court. It is about finding that balance, the level of stress I can handle. “, Lonzo Ball still posted a few days ago.
| Lonzo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | 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? GM = Games Played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots Made / Shots Attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers / 3-pointers Attempted; LF = Free Throws Made / Free Throws Attempted; Off = Offensive Rebound; Def = Defensive Rebound; Tot = Total Rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte: Personal Fouls; Int = Steals; Bp = Loose Balls; Ct: Blocks; Pts = Points.
