The Chicago Bulls 2022-23 NBA season is already off to a rough start and games are still about a week away from starting. That is because their starting point guard, Lonzo Ball, will begin the season on the sidelines.
Ball has been dealing with a knee issue since January when it was revealed that he had a meniscus injury. He underwent surgery that had a 4-6 week timeline for him to return, but he was never able to get healthy enough to return to the court.
An off-season rehabbing didn’t help him recover either. Ball underwent another procedure recently as they tried to figure out what was wrong with his knee and what could be done to alleviate the pain. Regular everyday activities, such as walking up and down the stairs, were painful for Ball as he was still unable to do anything on the basketball court.
While the Bulls would assuredly prefer to have Ball on the court with them on opening night, they have to move on and prepare with who will be available to play. Someone needs to replace him in the starting lineup, and Ayo Dosunmu will be getting the first shot.
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Dosunmu was a second-round pick out of Illinois in the 2021 NBA Draft. He became a larger part of the rotation last season as Chicago was hit hard by player absences and is grateful for the opportunity to be a starter on opening night.
“I’m thankful because this is a great organization and we have a chance to do something special, so for me to be named point guard that’s a blessing,” Dosunmu said following head coach Billy Donovan’s announcement that he would be the starting point guard. “I will continue to work hard and take it day by day to get better. Just try to come out swinging from the get-go.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ayo Dosunmu & Chicago Bulls Updates
As a rookie last season, Dosunmu averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 27.4 minutes per game. He appeared in 77 contests, starting 40 of them. He showed some promise as a shot creator and playmaker and believes he will be entering Year 2 of his career as an improved player.
“My game got better (this summer) all around on both ends,” said Dosunmu. “I got stronger, jump shot got better. When you are a rookie out there, you are moving fast, playing hard. You really don’t know what to expect getting out there and trying to fit in so your teammates can approve of your play and once that happens you’ll be good. Now being in my second season, me playing with the guys a lot, going through the battles with the guys I know what to expect. When we play Miami, I know what to expect, when we play the Bucks. I was able to play them two or three times, so I can really get a feel for what to expect.
“What I can do is go out there and be Ayo; that’s all I know,” said Dosunmu. “Go out there and be who I am and play to the best of my capabilities, when to attack, when not to attack, when to call certain plays, when to call Vooch pick and roll, get Zach a touch, get DeMar a touch. I wouldn’t say there’s pressure. Pressure is when you are not prepared. You put the work in when the lights are off; when the lights are on you shine. I put a lot of work into my game, my body and my mind, so I’m blessed and relaxed. I don’t feel pressure.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Ayo Dosunmu & Chicago Bulls Updates
The Bulls struggled last season once Ball was out of the lineup as he was the point of the attack on both ends of the floor. He is an elite playmaker and improved 3-point shooter, making teams pay that would double off of him to try and slow down Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan. He also set the tone defensively as one of the best defensive point guards in the NBA.
Dosunmu has some rather large shoes to fill replacing Ball in the lineup. However, he sounds confident and ready to get the job done, doing whatever it takes to help Chicago win some games until Ball is hopefully healthy enough to return to the lineup.
