DeMar DeRozan Cites Lonzo Ball’s Injury in 2021-22 Chicago Bulls’ Downfall

NBA star DeMar DeRozan did not hold back his feelings regarding former Bulls teammate Lonzo Ball on the Run Your Race podcast.

DeMar DeRozan Cites Lonzo Ball’s Injury in 2021-22 Chicago Bulls’ Downfall

DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball (Image by FirstSportz)

Critics have frequently written Lonzo Ball off because they thought he would establish himself as a franchise mainstay. The UCLA product was never really intended to be the major star and was dubbed a bust by some, mostly because he failed to live up to the excitement that surrounded him when he entered the league. However, Ball is someone who makes others look good when he enters the court.

This is exactly what his former teammate DeMar DeRozan stressed lately. DeRozan gave Ball his flowers in a recent appearance on the Run Your Race podcast. The six-time NBA All-Star talked about how Ball made his life simpler in his first few games as a Chicago Bulls player. He also stated that Ball ‘put everything together’ when he played alongside the former Bulls player.

DeMar DeRozan said, “Lonzo getting hurt killed us. He was that big piece of the puzzle that put everything together for all of us. He made everything so easy offensively, defensively. He was shooting the 3 at 40%, defensively, obviously his passing.”

DeMar DeRozan: “Lonzo getting hurt killed us. He was that big piece of the puzzle that put everything together for all of us. He made everything so easy offensively, defensively. He was shooting the 3 at 40%, defensively, obviously his passing.”
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Sadly for Chicago, Ball’s ailments prevented DeRozan and him from spending much time alongside on the court. Additionally, DeRozan was sent to the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade agreement that also included the San Antonio Spurs before Ball fully recovered. No wonder DeRozan seemed gutted when he opened up on Ball at the podcast.

With a 27-13 record in the first 40 games of the 2021–22 season, the Bulls were off to a great start. The house of cards then fell apart as the team went 19-23 the remainder of the game after Ball injured his knee. They consequently fell to the sixth seed and lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the opening round.

Since then, the Bulls have never worked their way into the NBA Playoffs and are yet to find a successful season. According to KC Johnson, a longtime Chicago Bulls writer, the organization intends to assemble a strong roster with a style of play based on quickness and athleticism. This strategy has been modified by the Indiana Pacers, who have advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in consecutive years.

DeMar DeRozan recently opened up on LeBron James’ greatest version

LeBron James is forty years old and had a good season, but his best days are over. Although his best years are over, he is still a formidable force in the league. Notably, NBA star DeMar DeRozan recently opened up on the best version of James in his career. DeRozan went with the ‘Miami Heat LeBron James version’ as the best version in his career.

DeMar DeRozan said, “2012, bro, we always say first Cleveland, Miami, second Cleveland. I always tell people, ‘Miami Bron,’ Oh My God!…He was shooting like 55 percent from the field. He running past your favorite, your fastest point guard, dunking, jumping over people.”

Before James’ move to Miami, the Heat had not won a title in six years. However, he guided the franchise to a championship in his second season. He dominated the floor from one end to the other. He received his third MVP honor that year. He was also named Finals MVP for his effort in the Finals. This showcases the impact the King had at the Heat during his time there.

DeMar DeRozan comes in support of LeBron James playing in year 22

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers appeared as agile as ever in the 2024–25 season, despite having entered Year 22. James helped guide the Lakers to a 50-32 record and the third seed in the Western Conference by remaining healthy for most of the regular season. Despite this, he faced constant criticism by his naysayers, regarding the 40-year-old playing way ‘past his prime.’

Notably, DeMar DeRozan came in support of the NBA legend on a recent podcast show lately. DeRozan claimed that ‘nobody has dominated the sport as a 40-year old the way James has.’

I remember telling a group of people, I said, ‘Most these motherf—–s wouldn’t stand a chance versus 2016 Bron. People forget the man been doing this 22 years, man. Like something we never seen in no sport, to be able to dominate as long as he has. The standard that he’s been held to at a 40-year-old man is insane. A 40-year-old man, you feel me? He got to carry everything.

DeMar DeRozan said

When the latter continued to play with the Toronto Raptors, James and DeRozan faced off multiple times throughout the playoffs, but LeBron always prevailed over the Compton native. Even while it happens in bits rather than entire games, James can still display his former self when called upon.

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