Lonzo Ball, facing potential career-threatening circumstances due to his extended absence from the Chicago Bulls' games and a lingering right knee injury, aims to clarify his capability to perform a basic activity—sitting down.
Since January 2022, the Chicago Bulls guard hasn't participated in an NBA match, and this hiatus is projected to persist until at least 2024 due to the persistent issues stemming from his knee injury. On Monday, he officially confirmed his non-participation in the 2023-24 season, sparking a discussion on ESPN's "First Take" the following Tuesday.
Stephen A. Smith, a prominent voice on ESPN, responded to the situation in his characteristic style. While expressing his empathy for Ball, Smith mentioned his perspective on Ball's draft prospects in 2017 compared to De'Aaron Fox of the Sacramento Kings. He alluded to Magic Johnson, lamented the Bulls' predicament, and notably touched on a specific comment about Ball's challenge in rising from a seated position:
"I'm not a medical expert. I feel an immense sadness for Lonzo. I was well aware that he wasn't on par with De'Aaron Fox, the only time Magic Johnson and I disagreed, as I urged him to pick De'Aaron Fox, considering what Fox accomplished against Lonzo in the NCAA tournament, where he scored 38 points against him. Nevertheless, Lonzo has proven his worth as a proficient NBA player, capable of managing point guard duties, excelling on both ends of the court, and orchestrating offensive plays. It's deeply disheartening to witness what he's endured."
"Clearly, there were medical complications in the procedures he underwent. Given the current information, I don't anticipate him making a full recovery. I've heard reports that even getting up from a seated position is a challenge for him. Participating in 50, 60, or 70 games annually, along with the postseason, appears unlikely. It's unfortunate because if Lonzo Ball were in good health alongside DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, the Chicago Bulls could potentially perform even better than their current level. I genuinely feel for him and hope he regains his health."
This contextual overview is crucial to understanding Ball's subsequent reaction. Apparently, he came across Smith's casual reference and responded in a manner that many NBA players might: he posted a video on social media showing himself effortlessly rising from and returning to a chair independently. Alongside this video, Ball directly criticized Smith and his "sources."