About 16 months ago, the Chicago Bulls were starting to look like legitimate contenders in the NBA’s Eastern Conference.
They held the best record in the conference heading into All-Star weekend and were winning games behind the strength of one of the best defenses in pro basketball.
But a midseason meniscus injury to guard Lonzo Ball mucked up their plans, and the Bulls plunged and struggled as he missed the rest of the season.
Ball still hasn’t returned, as he hasn’t responded well to rehab, and now the organization privately fears that his NBA career is already over according to Dan Bernstein.
REPORT: The Bulls “privately” believe Lonzo Ball won’t ever play again 😳
(via @dan_bernstein) pic.twitter.com/PvlAgMxUmE
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 28, 2023
Fans are sad to read that Ball may never play in the league again.
If that’s true that’s sad… idk if he was ever gonna be great but he’s definitely very talented and has potential
— lewthomas (@thomas020487) May 28, 2023
Dang…. That’s actually really sad
— Backfield News (@BackfieldNews) May 28, 2023
This is heartbreaking
— Music Marketing Cyph 🇬🇾📈 (@CEOcypha) May 28, 2023
This fan blames his father, LaVar Ball, for working him too hard and creating too much wear and tear at a young age.
The weight that Lavar put on them knees was too much to carry…
— G.Multani (@geemultani24) May 28, 2023
When the younger Ball entered the league as the No. 2 pick in the 2017 draft, he was one of the most hyped players in recent memory.
His father claimed he was already better than Stephen Curry, then a two-time league MVP and two-time NBA champion, which led to some around the league resenting him.
Although Ball has shown some flashes of brilliance, he has never really appeared to be an All-Star in the making over the years.
But his biggest problem has been his inability to stay healthy, a problem which started during his rookie season, and it has resulted in him playing in as many as 60 games in a season just once.
His defense, ball-handling, passing, and ability to up-tempo the game have made him a valuable player, but his proclivity to injuries could very well cut his career short.
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