Cautionary tales in basketball are often about talent that was never maximized. To say that talent was wasted would be unfair, especially when some of these players had to step away from the game due to circumstances beyond their control. No player wants to get injured and have the game that brings so much joy dish out pain as well.
Lonzo Ball stands within the limbo between the NBA and playing overseas or perhaps even a serious contemplation on retirement. Such seemed to be the case when Ball reflected on his NBA career and all that came with it.
Social media went ablaze with the soundbite, and tributes and lamentations about what might have been trended in basketball social media circles. But in the end, it seems that Ball’s purported retirement was even news to himself.
Ball had a lot of promise prior to entering the NBA. He was the conductor of one of the best US high school teams to have ever been assembled and he carried this over with the UCLA Bruins. The consensus first-team All-American was a walking highlight reel and a proven winner, even if some made light of his unique shooting form and family-owned signature shoe.
Being drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers created a full circle moment for the LA kid who never had to leave home. The highlights remained and the summer league championship invited some promise that the Baby Lakers could usher in a new era in Los Angeles. But patience was never the Lakers’ best trait and Ball became part of the package that brought Anthony Davis to Los Angeles. In a way, Ball delivered a championship to the Lakers, but it came at the cost of moving away and watching from the sidelines.
A move to the New Orleans Pelicans allowed Ball to demonstrate more of his capabilities, and that one year with the Pelicans was arguably his best individual season. He played well enough to earn a contract with the Chicago Bulls, although this was the beginning of an injury-plagued period that came at the most unfortunate moments.
Ball never played more than 35 games for the Bulls, who at one point in time had the best record in the Eastern Conference. When healthy, he was a knockdown shooter (with a new form) and defensive menace. Unfortunately, there were not enough games for it to truly go beyond what-ifs.
After a stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers ended with no extension, Ball remains a free agent. He has earned more than $120 million over seven NBA seasons and he will likely have some offcourt ventures to keep him busy and financially sustained. The NBA could also come calling or a stint abroad could be appealing especially if it helps the 28-year old earn some looks from the league’s teams. Then again, Ball could call it a career and pursue other ventures. The game has brought him good and bad times, but overall, the second overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft never cheated the game.
Regardless of whatever happens to Lonzo Ball next, he has always played the game with utmost respect. And that pretty much makes him at peace and content for whatever’s next.
