NEWSLETTER
Make no mistake, Lonzo Ball remains one of the most well-respected point guards in the NBA.
Look no further than Paul George’s recent praise of the Chicago Bulls’ guard on his podcast. When asked to name his top 5 most talented players, the Clippers’ wing didn’t hesitate to throw out Ball’s name.
George initially grouped Lonzo in with his brother LaMelo but proceeded to declare Lonzo the most talented of the two. After some pushback from his co-host, George wouldn’t back down, reminding everyone of just how many ways Lonzo can impact the game.
“What can’t Lonzo do? He can guard, he can shoot, he can play make, his IQ, he can rebound great for his position,” George said on Podcast P. “What can’t Lonzo do?”
He’s certainly got himself a point. While Lonzo may have taken some time to find his place in the NBA, his level of all-around talent was never a question. He went No. 2 overall for a reason, and his 35 games with the Chicago Bulls in 2021-22 gave around a great look at just how many ways he can impact winning. He averaged 13.0 points, 5.1 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals on a career-high 42.3 percent shooting from long-range.
When eventually presented with Ball’s injury history, George refused to use that as a proper criticism. According to the eight-time All-Star, injury has nothing to do with talent and everything to do with being unfortunate. And, as someone who’s gone through his fair share of injuries himself over his career, George would know.
Anyway, it’s just good to see Lonzo still get the appreciation from his peers that he deserves. This feels particularly true when we consider his entire career hangs in the balance. Headed for third knee surgery in less than two years, it’s truly unclear whether or not Lonzo will ever be able to retake the floor. And, as George helps reminds us, that’s truly a travesty when we consider how talented he’s turned out to be.
You can watch George’s full comments on Lonzo Ball here …
