It’s only been a few days of training camp, but Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is optimistic about the progress of his left knee, writes Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. Ball is trying to salvage his NBA career after missing the past two and half seasons with knee issues that required multiple surgeries. He’s not a full participant in camp drills and he’s being closely monitored by the medical staff, but Ball is encouraged so far, especially after taking part in a scrimmage on Friday and being able to play at full speed with normal contact.
“Today was probably my best day,” he told reporters after Friday’s practice. “It’s getting better each time.”
Ball realizes that he doesn’t possess the same physical qualities that he did before the injuries, Poe adds. His first step isn’t as quick, he doesn’t have his former speed on defense and his jumper is a little off-balance as he works to rebuild the strength in his legs. Coach Billy Donovan is urging him to compensate by relying on the mental part of his game, which is sharper than ever.
“He can take a situation that looks three-on-three and just by a pass to a certain area of the floor, can make it three-on-two, just out of feel,” Donovan said. “That’s the one thing I think for him that will never go away. He’s just such a high-IQ player and knows the game so well. The way he plays, he makes people around him better.”
There’s more on the Bulls:
- Lottery pick Matas Buzelis has impressed teammates with his athleticism in training camp, but he may not have a clear path to playing time, Poe states in a separate story. She notes that the Bulls tend to keep their draft picks in the NBA even if they’re not playing regularly so they can learn how to be professionals. Donovan said Buzelis will only be sent to the G League if the need arises to give him consistent minutes, and Buzelis is OK with that option. “I’m always going to listen to the organization,” he said. “So if they tell me I got to be in the G League, I’m gonna be in the G League. That’s fine with me. But I’m gonna work my way up to the top team.”
- Ayo Dosunmu is ready to “elevate” in his fourth NBA season, per Joe Cowley of The Chicago-Sun Times. Dosunmu spent the summer developing counters to his drives to the basket and improving his ability to read defenses, especially in the pick-and-roll. “The NBA, it’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league,” he said, citing the need to improve every offseason. “No one cares about what you did your rookie year or last year. You have to keep proving yourself.”
- Patrick Williams understands the expectations are different after he landed a five-year, $90MM extension this summer, Cowley adds in another Sun-Times piece. Williams said the Bulls want him to become a team leader, improve his rebounding and take over as the primary defensive stopper after trading away Alex Caruso.
- Josh Giddey is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered during the Olympics, but he was able to take part in most of Friday’s scrimmage, tweets K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.
Buzelis can win rookie of the year.
That is quite the conclusion to come to from an article that states he has a difficult path to playing time….
Like most rookies. He’s 8th or 9th in betting depending where you look. Are Lavine and Williams playing this season? Both stuck together by sticky tape. I’m aloud to throw a hail mary with a lazy $50. I also liked Carringtons odds, but ultimately went with Buzelis. Edey and Clingan are serious threats and look like the only rooks guaranteed for serious court time from opening night. Knecht may get burn but how productive will he be playing with Bron, Ant etc. I’m pretty sure it’s called gambling for a reason, no?
True, and so can Mogbo, Kolek, Dillon, and 56 other guys that were drafted this year.
Just because they can doesn’t mean they have a shot at actually making it happen.
Oooff the G-league
Would be great to see Lonzo make it back on the court this year. He put so much time into distancing himself from his father and becoming a much better shooter to have this string of injuries keep him from playing again.
He likely will never be close to primo Lonzo, but a Shaun Livingston version of him would be cool to see.
Really hoping Pat can stay healthy and take a leap this year
Josh is the Man ….. Ball is finished.
No he’s a creep
What a crock. Basically you’re subtracting Caruso and DDR and adding Giddey and Buzelis and telling everybody how great you’re gonna be. You subtracted the best 2 players you had for a rookie and PG who should be awesome in a while. Stop BSing everybody and face reality. This team is gonna rot.
As they should this year. They won’t admit it but they’re definitely aiming for a top 10 pick so they don’t lose it. At least they’ve picked a better long term timeline; Coby, Giddey, ayo, Pat, buzelis are a solid initial core going forward.
They will keep Zach and Vuc long enough to sell other teams on their value and then likely tank egregiously post-deadline. This thing is going to look worse before it gets better but I see the vision.
Ball is playing as its a contract year. Been cruising around cali hitting on honeys while he had guaranteed money coming in.