Cleveland Cavaliers backup point guard Lonzo Ball is having a down season. His recent struggles have prompted a retired NBA champion to go on a rant, with the former player even making some bold claims in the process.
Being traded to the Cavaliers should have been a fresh start for Ball. So far, though, his first season in Cleveland has been forgettable. He has often seemed ineffective in his role as the Cavs’ backup guard. This was highlighted once more in their 110-114 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
Retired NBA Champion Goes on a Tirade Against Lonzo Ball After an Abysmal Showing
In 10 minutes of action, Ball failed to score a single point. He managed to grab two rebounds, two assists, and one steal, but his presence seemed detrimental to the team. In the nine minutes he played, he was a -18 on the +/-, which was the lowest for the Cavs in this game.
This performance from Ball drew flak from Jeff Teague on an episode of the “Club 520 Podcast.” Teague, who won a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in his final season in 2021, was highly critical in his assessment of the Cavs’ guard.
“Lonzo’s cooked, and I like Lonzo as a person. He’s a funny dude, cool, good family,” Teague said. “But he can’t hoop no more, it’s over.”
Teague also clarified that he wasn’t only referring to the game against the Pistons, but his overall performance this season. He pointed out that Ball’s numbers have been bad despite averaging 22 minutes per game.
Then, Teague claimed that he could do better than Ball if he were to suit up today, saying he could average nine points in the same role
In 27 games this season, Ball has averaged 5.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.3 steals. He has served as the second-unit point guard for the Cavs, averaging 22.4 minutes of action per game.
On Sunday against the Pistons, though, Ball played for just under ten minutes. These are, so far, the least amount of action he’s seen in a game he’s suited up in. This is also not the first time that he’s failed to score a single basket this season.
He recorded zero points against the New York Knicks on December 25, the Indiana Pacers on November 21, and the Philadelphia 76ers on November 5. On the flip side, he has scored in double figures twice, with 11 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 26 and 15 points against the Miami Heat on November 12.
Ball is also not that far removed from a career-altering medical procedure. Back in 2023, it was announced that he would undergo a cartilage transplant in his left knee. His injuries have played a significant role in shaping the course of his career, and questions persist about whether he can continue to play at a high level.
