New Cav Lonzo Ball is healthy, focused

INDEPENDENCE — Newly acquired Lonzo Ball has a new lease on life. The Cavaliers point guard is stepping into a great position in Cleveland. Strangely enough, he's never appeared in an NBA playoff game. He'll likely play in many in 2025-26. "Basketball is winning to me," he said at Cleveland Clinic Courts. "You can't win without getting to the playoffs. I've been on a couple teams that made the playoffs, but I couldn't get out there and run with the guys. Hopefully, this year I have high hopes. The sky is the limit." The 6-foot-6, 205-pounder is well aware of how good the Cavs were last year. They won 64 games and earned the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. "This year, we have a chance to go for it all," Ball said. "That's all I'm focused on. "(It's a) huge blessing just to be able to play at all, much less with this organization. I couldn't ask for anything better than this. I think it's a great situation for my play style. I'm looking forward to competing with the guys." Ball was acquired from the Chicago Bulls in a trade for Isaac Okoro. He was introduced to the media Monday. He's excited to play next to first-team All-NBA guard Donovan Mitchell, whom he called "one of the best players we have in this league." Ball is already thinking about how good the Cavs can be defensively with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley. The UCLA product is vastly different than Cleveland's starting point guard, Darius Garland, in two major ways. First, because of his length, ability and athleticism, he can defend at a high level. Second, he's 6-6, meaning he's five inches taller than Garland. "When I was younger, we played a reckless style of defense, but I was out there playing a lot of defense," Ball said. "My whole life, I've been guarding." Ball missed two entire seasons with knee problems. After finally getting back on the court last season in Chicago, he injured his wrist. Ball said he's encouraged by how his knee has responded. "I really didn't know what to expect," he said. "It got better as the year went on. Unfortunately, I had to deal with my wrist. But as far as my knee was concerned, it was pretty good. The rehab process was long." Ball met with the Cavs medical staff Monday. "(I'll) continue to trust in the work and stay on the right path," he said. "(I'll) listen to the people around me that know more than me." Ball, 26, wondered at one point whether he'd ever play again. "I never took it for granted," he said. "I've been playing basketball my whole life. To have it taken away, it was hard to get through and I feel I've come out a better person for it. I'm excited to be able to play today. "Basketball is my life. I've been playing since I was 6 years old. I'm 20 years in now. That's all I really know. I'm blessed to be able to play for anybody, let alone the Cavs." He grew up a huge fan of LeBron James. Though he wasn't a Cavs fan, he followed them closely. "It's kind of cool, like a full-circle moment to come here and play for them and try to get a ring for them," Ball said. "I want to get into the arena and put a show on for the fans. At the end of the day, I play basketball for a living. I don't take any day for granted." The six-year pro has averaged 11.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 287 career games. He said he wants to devote himself to the weight room over the summer and work on his lower body. Ball wants to be ready for all comers in training camp in September. He doesn't want to hear any excuses once the season starts. "They were No. 1 in the East," he said of the Cavs. "Injuries messed them up at the end. It was unfortunate timing. "(We'll) take it one game at a time. Try to go 1-0 every time we step out there and live with the results. We should all be focused on trying to get a ring. June is a long time when you start in September. It's ring or nothing." Contact Bob Finnan at rfinnan30@gmail.com. Follow him @BobCavsinsider on X.