LaVar Ball on Lonzo’s rehab: the Bulls ‘trained him the wrong way’
LaVar Ball is back.
The father of Bulls guard Lonzo Ball and Hornets star LaMelo Ball has been relatively quiet since Lonzo departed Los Angeles but don’t let that fool you: LaVar always has something to say.
Whether it’s about his two NBA star sons, Big Baller Brand, or how his middle son, LiAngelo, deserves a shot in the league, LaVar will let you know how he feels and is forever himself.
Ball recently spoke with David Kaplan of NBCS Sports to discuss a number of topics, including the recent report of the Bulls having ‘serious concerns’ regarding Lonzo’s knee.
“He’s going to be fine. Here’s the thing: Zo’s going to do whatever it takes for him to do what he’s got to do. When they did the meniscus tear a long time ago, they just tried to let it heal. They should have cut that out the first time so he wouldn’t have to go back in there and then he ends up tearing it again.”
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Lonzo underwent surgery in late-January to repair a small meniscus tear in his left knee, which forced him out for the season after being unable to ramp up his rehab due to discomfort in his knee, which LaVar had issues with.
“After they do the surgery on his leg, I’m looking and I’m like ‘yo, they’ve got him running and stuff too fast.’ It was too early for him to do that,” LaVar said. “He should’ve been doing some pool therapy instead of the treadmill or the running he was doing — that’s wrong.”
During his rehab, Lonzo had trouble when it got time to ramp up to begin sprinting and cutting, which is where the discomfort stemmed from.
“It’s too fast and too hard and that’s when I knew he’s not going to be able to play. They’re training him the wrong way,” LaVar said.
The lack of progress in Lonzo’s rehab gives Chicago a reason to worry heading into the offseason. https://t.co/C4RDoRI6Jh
— Lonzo Wire (@LonzoWire) May 18, 2022
During exit interviews following Chicago’s first-round loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Lonzo stated that his rehab remained ‘at a standstill’ due to the continued pain in his knee and that he would be seeking out a specialist for further evaluation. He was unsure if another surgery would be in play but his father doesn’t feel it’s necessary.
“He won’t need another surgery, he’ll just be out here in L.A. and they’re going to train him a different way which is what he’s used to,” LaVar said. “He should be ready for the season this year because he’s going to stay out here and get it done the right way.”
A healthy Lonzo goes a long way for the Bulls, who dearly missed his defense, playmaking, and outside shooting once he went down with the injury. But according to his father, he’ll be as good as new under his care.
“You were never hurt when you were with me!”
‘LaVar’s Sports Training Clinic’ coming to a city near you.
