Those who’ve played the game of basketball for any extended period of time know the feeling all too well: on off-shooting nights, few things spark one’s energy like seeing the ball go through the hoop once. Likely feeling good after connecting on a 3-pointer immediately upon check-in, Ball rewards any newly tuned-in viewers with a second highlight, hustling in transition with hopes of amending his teammate’s turnover. Speedy enough to attach himself to Tyus Jones’ back as if he were an airplane parachute, Ball fittingly elevates, sending a layup flying against the basket stanchion for an emphatic denial. Unfortunately for Ball and the Chicago Bulls, the quote about “good offense” overpowering equally-impactful defense held true, as the Phoenix Suns prevailed in a high-scoring track meet-type game on February 22, 2025. Offsetting misfires with hustle plays and intangibles, Ball paired a three-point, three-rebound, one-assist, one-block performance with three deflections, six shot contests, and a lockdown-minded 23.1 percentage allowed as the nearest defender (on 13 attempts). · Feb 22, 2025