Bulls G Lonzo Ball: Playing with LeBron is something 'I'll never take for granted'

“[LeBron] was my favorite player growing up,” he said.

“Being able to share the court with him and learn from him was a time of my life I’ll never get back, I’ll never take for granted.”

Ball spoke similarly fondly of being able to place in Los Angeles, where he hails from.

“Just playing for the home team,” he continued, “you know, being a Lakers fan growing up, watching all the greats, and then being able to put that jersey on was great.”

This isn’t the first time Ball has waxed poetic about his Laker days, though clearly, his tone is a bit different this time around.

It will be interesting to see where Ball’s career goes from here. Obviously, he has made more headlines in recent years for his lavish gifts to his girlfriend than substantive on-the-court accomplishments, but when healthy, he is supremely talented.

The number one priority for him right now has to be getting healthy. He himself has acknowledged that at least some of his perpetual injury woes are a byproduct of the terrible decision to wear Big Baller Brand shoes.

Ball has since stopped, but the health problems have continued.

If Ball can get right physically, return to the court and be a meaningful contributor for the Bulls — he could still become a version of what he was once promised to be.

Should that not occur, though, Ball could go down as one of the most disappointing players of his generation.