Michael Nyarko
News emerged in the initial part of last week, revealing that Lonzo Ball, guard for the Chicago Bulls, would be sidelined for the entire 2023-24 season due to a knee injury, however, he’s confident about basketball comeback post-injury.
Notably, a recent report from NBCsportschicago highlights Ball’s resilient attitude regarding his playing future. Despite the setback, he conveyed strong sentiments, emphasizing his unwavering commitment to return to the basketball court in the near future.
“I am going to play again,” Ball said on Saturday. He made these remarks during his participation at Invest Fest in Atlanta, which is recognized as the largest global business festival. The event boasted a lineup of speakers from music, investment, and entertainment fields.
As per the event organizers’ statement, Ball discussed topics such as the significant influence of Big Baller Brand on culture and his experiences as a former child star, including the challenges of handling expectations.
However, the most crucial message for Bulls supporters arose when he was questioned on stage about his NBA prospects. Ball, who hasn’t participated in a game since January 2022, has faced three surgeries on his left knee, including a cartilage transplant, and has already been declared unfit for the entire 2023-24 season.
“Life is not easy,” Ball said. “If you want to get the most out of it, you gotta put your best foot forward. If you’re going to get knocked down, you gotta get back up every time if you want to keep going. You can always quit and take the easy way out and pout and go to the side. But for me, if you’re trying to get to a place where I want to get to, you just gotta get back up, dust off and keep going.”
“I am going to play again.” Ball’s remarks have dominated the news cycle this entire week, following his positive outlook on his future during an interview on the “From the Point by Trae Young” podcast.
These statements triggered a noteworthy reaction from ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith, leading to a subsequent exchange between Ball and Smith. Smith asserted that Ball couldn’t even stand up from a chair.
“The outside noise doesn’t bother me,” Ball said in Atlanta. “The Stephen A. thing, he has a wide platform. And to me, I just don’t appreciate when people put out fake news like that, especially someone of his stature that can touch a lot of people.”
“For me, I know what I gotta do to get back. And I’m just on a path doing what I gotta do every day, taking it step-by-step. I don’t look too far ahead. I know in my near future that I will be back on the court for sure.”
Ball holds a player option for the 2023-24 season. With both the Bulls and Ball confirming his absence, the team has obtained a $10.2 million disabled player exception for this season.
Presently, the Bulls are positioned very close to the $165.3 million luxury tax threshold, and they have two non-guaranteed contracts, namely Carlik Jones and Terry Taylor. It’s also crucial that they remain within the hard cap of $172.3 million.
However, shifting focus to the upcoming season, the most intriguing element revolves around Ball’s potential comeback for the 2023-24 season, a prospect he seems notably confident about.