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EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Lonzo Ball participated in full-contact testing Thursday for the first time at training camp, said Los Angeles Lakers coach Luke Walton.
According to Ball, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in July, it was the most intense basketball played in five months.
"It was good today," said the sophomore. "Did all the practice, did everything today, of course, I was a bit tired but I had to go home."
Beyond Ball's first field action on the field was also his first appearance on the scene with LeBron James, the free signatory to the Lakers.
While Ball claims that James was his favorite player growing up, he made it clear that he did not feel intimidated queuing next to one of his idols.
"I'm never nervous," said Ball. "I mean, he's just another person at the end of the day – he's not God if …"
Walton said it was unlikely that Ball will play Sunday in San Diego against the Denver Nuggets, but Ball is looking forward to playing.
"I hope as soon as possible," he said. "But Sunday, I'll be out and I'll take it day after day."
James, however, will play Sunday even sparingly.
"We'll be going out on Sunday and we'll see how much he's playing and it's going to be determined later, but he's going to play Sunday," Walton said of James. "It will not play 48 (minutes), it will be more than one and less than 48."
Walton plans to meet James on Friday to determine how much the 16-year-old will play in the Lakers' six preseason list, ESPN sources said.
No matter how much James and Ball will play in pre-season games, the rest of the camp will be crucial for both players to develop chemistry and the former UCLA number 2 will return to its place.
Ball has missed the last eight games of his rookie season because of his left knee and a total of 30 games due to injuries.
He stayed off the basketball court for over a month early in the off season to let his knee heal and strengthen. He also tried platelet-rich plasma injections to treat his left meniscus. When the pain persisted, he chose the path of surgery.
Although Ball was unable to play basketball all summer, he continued to train in the weight room and reported a difference in his feelings for the match with extra strength.
"I'm definitely a lot stronger than last year," Ball said. "It's just easier to cross the painting, to push people."
Walton was impressed by what he saw out of Ball in the team's controlled scrum.
"It looked really good, it was good to see him go out and do his readings and passes," Walton said.
However, Ball offers a more severe criticism of his own piece.
"Still a little rusty, he added, some passes a little too high." "But … I feel good."
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