Lonzo Ball has long maintained that getting his body right was one of the main springboards to turning the corner as a player this season, leading to his breakout year in New Orleans. After two injury-riddled seasons in Los Angeles, Ball came to the Pelicans broken down.
But after getting healthy in the off-season and playing his way back into shape, Ball has exploded over the last three months. Since returning to the lineup at the start of December, Ball is averaging 12.7 points, 7.3 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 45 games while shooting 39.2% from three-point territory.
Pelicans vice president of basketball operations Swin Cash noticed how important Ball getting right physically was this season and the impact it’s had on his game. During a Pelicans Playback piece ahead of a rebroadcast of the New Orleans-Houston game on Dec. 29, Cash talked about the biggest difference in Ball’s game this season
“I would say the biggest area of growth for me is seeing Zo smile on the court. I remember one time I texted him a message at some point during the season and I was just like ‘Nice game but it was great to see you out there smiling.’ You talk about a player that literally came to us and hadn’t played for about nine months.
“But now, he’s in a rhythm, he’s feeling good, his body feels good. People don’t understand what it takes mentally and physically to get back from injury. He’s put the work in. He’s been working with our assistant coaches, he’s out there on his own. He’s getting to the basket, getting guys involved. I’m just happy to see his growth personally because as a..former athlete, you always understand that it’s mind over matter. Right now, Zo’s mind is exactly where it needs to be and everything that matters is him being positive and contributing for our team right now.”
Ball is clearly playing with a level of confidence and swagger that he has not showcased on a basketball court since his days in Chino Hills and at UCLA. And as Cash notes, he has a level of enjoyment on the court that is evident to fans.
As Ball has played better and better this season, the snowball effect has worked in a positive manner. From a purely basketball standpoint, the hiatus could not have come at a worse time as Ball was playing the best ball of his career.
