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Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

On May 29, Beijing time, local Chicago radio media person Dan Bernstein reported that the Bulls believe that Lonzo Pol (Ball Brother) is unlikely to return. The results of his knee brace replacement are not promising. From January 2022 to March 2023, Brother Qiu underwent 3 surgeries on his left knee in 14 months, and now it seems that his prospects for return are not optimistic. The 25-year-old is at risk of retirement, and more and more people think of Roy back then, who also retired early due to knee problems, and although he later tried to make a comeback, he still had no chance to continue his NBA career.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

3 surgeries on the left knee in 14 months

On January 20, 2022, The Athletic's Shams reported that Ball Brother was diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his left knee. A few hours later, the Bulls officially announced that Brother Ball would undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee and was expected to return in 6-8 weeks. He underwent surgery on January 28, local time, which was the first left knee surgery that Qiu Ge underwent On March 11, Brother Ball appeared in the team's training session, but on March 21 he had problems with his recovery and on April 6 he was determined to miss the remaining matches of the 2021-22 season.

At the time, the Bulls' official statement said that the ball brother still feels knee pain during high-intensity exercise, and he will continue to receive daily treatment and rehabilitation in preparation for the 2022-23 season.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

Just when people thought that Brother Qiu would return full of blood this season, in September 2022, it was reported that Brother Qiu was expected to miss training camp and it was doubtful whether he could catch up with the early games of the new season. ESPN's Collier reported at the time that Ball Brother was still feeling pain in some basketball games. Before the start of the training camp, the Bulls suddenly announced that Ball Brother will undergo arthroscopic debridement of his left knee on September 28, and is expected to be reassessed in 4-6 weeks. This is Brother Qiu's second left knee surgery. Laval Bol questioned the Bulls' recovery process, particularly as the ball brother resumes his running training schedule.

At the time, Shams reported that there was confidence that the club would return for the 2022-23 season, but expected to miss a few months. Brother Qiu himself said that he "couldn't run or jump" at that time. On Nov. 30, Bulls coach Donovan revealed that his recovery was slow, and on Dec. 14, Woj said there was no guarantee that he would be able to play this season.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

On February 21, 2023, Shams reported that the Bulls determined that Brother Ball would not play all games this season due to persistent pain and discomfort in his left knee, and three weeks later, Brother Ball underwent a third surgery on his left knee, this time a cartilage transplant. No player in history has ever returned to the NBA after this surgery, and the Bulls worry that Ball Brother will not be an exception.

Brother Ball really can't come back?

When Ball Ge was confirmed to undergo a third knee surgery, Bulls coach Donovan expressed optimism and used some cases to encourage his disciples. He mentioned that Bernard King had fully recovered from a complete cruciate ligament reconstruction, Durant had returned from an injury to a ruptured Achilles tendon, and WNBA's Stewart had also recovered from a serious injury.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

However, these three players are not in the same situation as Qiu Ge, and none of them have undergone knee cartilage transplantation. In the NBA's official report, the last player to undergo a knee cartilage transplant is likely to be Jordan Adams in 2016. The No. 22 pick in the first round of 2014, similar to Brother Ball, also suffered constant knee pain, and finally chose this surgery. He never returned to the NBA and went overseas to play after recovering from injury.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

Medical expert Brian Suttere cited a research report when analyzing Brother Qiu's injury. Report data shows that in all cases of cartilage transplantation, 76% of people can return to sports. However, please note that the sports here do not refer to sports in the professional field, and the high intensity of the NBA is by no means the amount of exercise that is usually played. Jordan Adams still played a few seasons in overseas leagues after cartilage surgery, but he failed to get an NBA-level contract, and a similar situation may be seen with Ball Brother.

Roy-style tragedy revisited?

Blazers star Roy has also tried knee cartilage surgery, and although it is not exactly the same as the type of surgery that Ball Brother has, it is clear that he is not a successful case. Roy entered his fourth season in the league, his knee condition began to deteriorate, and in his fifth year, he played only 47 games before declaring the season reimbursement and undergoing knee surgery again.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

After that operation, Roy had to announce his retirement at the age of 27. Although he tried to make a comeback with the Timberwolves a year later, he played only five games and suffered another injury, had to face another knee surgery, and was forced to retire again. Now Roy, who is 38 years old, may be what happened to Brother Ball, which reminded him of himself back then.

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

"I've always followed his career and think it's him and his brother (three-ball)," Roy said in a recent interview, "and they're both competitive and injuries are the toughest part." My advice is to focus on yourself, you always think about the next 5 or even 10 years, but don't rush to do it right now. He still has time, maybe not the role he wants to play later, but he can continue to love the sport. “

Brother Kopp Ball knee injury: 14 months after 3 left knee surgeries Roy's tragedy is about to repeat itself?

Even if the ball brother can eventually return to the NBA, athleticism and explosiveness may be greatly reduced. Roy suggested he could learn from the way his former teammate Andre Miller played. "Miller played for many years and he was a coach on the field, directing defensive and offensive positions. He (Ball Brother) should start focusing on things that maximize his mind rather than his body. Roy said.

Of course, all the premise must be based on the fact that Brother Ball can make a successful comeback. May all injuries and illnesses recede as soon as possible, and I wish Brother Qiu a speedy recovery.

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