The Ball Family Woes Continue
BIG BALLER BRAND was inescapable if you followed sports and one would possibly call it stalking if they were a basketball fan. LaVar Ball and his family were at every which way you turned from morning talk shows, pre game shows, halftime shows, post game shows, Youtube shows, etc. LaVar Ball had people he who passionately loved him and people who passionately hated him.
LaVar Ball proclaimed his son to be better than Stephen Curry who was just coming off his second ring in three years. Big Baller was everywhere and seemingly there was not a thing anyone could do to stop it... Anyone but for Lonzo Ball that was, as injuries derailed his rookie season. Two years of struggling with injury in LA and LeBron's drama, he showed flashes but ultimately did not impress over long stretches. With LeBron orchestrating Anthony Davis to Los Angeles it was clear Lonzo was going to find a new home in New Orleans.
Similar to former #2 overall pick Ingram, Lonzo was showing flashess as to what he could become. His shot went from a broken Kevin Martin to a beautiful fluid shooting motion which helped him go from a below average shooter to an elite high volume guy. While he was not bullet proof, he played 63 of 72 games and 55 the following year. His defense was elite, his passing was great, and he was developing into a Jrue Holiday-esque point guard. Lonzo signed with the Bulls where he was having a career best year but suffered a knee injury after playing 35 games. With hopes to be ready to go at the beginning of this season... He could not "run or walk up the stairs". Which went on for months until the Bulls eventually shut him down for the season.
Injury Update: Lonzo Ball will not return this season.
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) February 21, 2023
"The focus for Ball will continue to be on the resolution of his discomfort and a full return for the 2023-24 season."
Full Statement from Arturas Karnisovas:
REPORT: Lonzo Ball has seen doctors all over the country for his knee and describe it as a “unique injury that they have never seen before.”
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 22, 2023
😳😳😳
(h/t @ChiSportUpdates) pic.twitter.com/sx6eWC2njJ
It does help the fact that doctors are saying it is an injury in which they have never seen before...
BREAKING: LaMelo Ball has suffered a fracture in his right ankle, the Hornets have announced via @JerryDonatien.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 28, 2023
Here's the play where Ball suffered the fracture:pic.twitter.com/0uzRlZTWFh
Lonzo's brother had a glamorized and spotlighted teenage years playing professionally in the Big Baller League, Lithuania, and Australia before being drafted in 2020. Unlike Lonzo, LaMelo was hot out of the gate.
Year | Team | GP | Min | Pts | FG% | 3pt% | Reb | Ast | Stl | Blk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2022 | 36 | 35.2 | 23.3 | 41.1 | 37.6 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | |
2021 | 75 | 32.3 | 20.1 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 1.6 | 0.4 | |
2020 | 51 | 28.8 | 15.7 | 43.6 | 35.2 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 1.6 | 0.4 | |
Career | 162 | 31.8 | 19.4 | 42.6 | 37.7 | 6.4 | 7.3 | 1.5 | 0.4 |
Being an all-star at 21 years old and putting up numbers which reflect Jason Kidd's best seasons, its clear he can ball. The Hornets were on a 5 game win streak and LaMelo was balling out, unfortunately tonight disaster struck.
BREAKING: LaMelo Ball has suffered a fracture in his right ankle, the Hornets have announced via @JerryDonatien.
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 28, 2023
Here's the play where Ball suffered the fracture:pic.twitter.com/0uzRlZTWFh
LaMelo Ball is likely to be out for the season after fracturing his ankle, and with his market down 64% it can be assumed that it will continue to take a hit.
The key difference between these two brothers are that one is an all-star and one is a solid starter. However both are extremely popular and collectible with their brands and personalities. Unfortunately it seems both players have an injury bug that is inescapable.