Stephen A. Smith Fires Back at Lonzo Ball's Chair Challenge

In response to a segment on "First Take" by Stephen A. Smith discussing Lonzo Ball's chair-related issues, the Chicago Bulls guard swiftly took to Twitter to address the matter. Ball shared a video that debunks the chair problem, demonstrating his smooth transitions while sitting down and getting up.

However, Smith didn't hold back in his response. On "First Take," he countered Ball's video, questioning the relevance of sitting and standing compared to the physical demands of actual gameplay.

Smith rhetorically asked, "Can merely getting up and sitting down poolside equate to running up and down the court for 30-35 minutes a night?"



Smith also pointed out that Ball's track record is not flawless. He highlighted that Ball has missed nearly half of his games in his promising NBA career.

During the 2021-22 season, Ball participated in only 35 games before being sidelined due to injury. In those games, he averaged 13.0 points per game (42.3% shooting, 42.3% from 3-point range), 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists.

Regrettably, Ball had to sit out the entire 2022-23 season as he recovered from his injury.

In an interview on the "From the Point Podcast by Trae Young," Lonzo Ball opened up about the challenges he faced while recuperating from the injury and its impact on his tenure with the Chicago Bulls.

He expressed remorse, stating, "It's a significant 'what-if.' The organization constructed the ideal team around me, and I was eager to showcase my skills."

Ball elaborated, "The injury set me back early on. We had great potential, but we never had the chance to fully realize it."

Acquired through a sign-and-trade agreement with the New Orleans Pelicans in August 2021, Ball was anticipated to lead the Bulls as their primary point guard, signing a $80 million, four-year contract. Throughout the 35 games he played, the Bulls achieved a commendable 22-13 record. Unfortunately, the team's performance plummeted following Ball's injury, which forced him to remain sidelined.

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