LaVar Ball Blames Lonzo, LaMelo's Injuries on Strength Training Plans, Shoes

LaVar Ball isn't happy with the training regimens and shoes used by his sons, Chicago Bulls veteran Lonzo Ball and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.

Speaking with Bill Reiter of CBS Sports, LaVar blamed the injuries to both of his sons on their training programs and the sneakers they wear on the court:

"They say, oh, LaVar, you worked the boys out too hard -- that's why they hurt. No, the reason they hurt is because they got away from me. And they start doing these roody-poo workouts. Because if you keep running them hills, you're going to keep that power and that strength. But you start dealing with these rubber bands and doing this lightweight stuff, of course you're going to start breaking down."

LaVar added:

"They've been trained hard enough? No, no, no. Because you condition your body for running and jumping. You've got to condition your legs. So that's why I always have my boys in them hills and running hard in them hills. That will make you run like a deer when you get on that court, so you won't be getting hurt. A lot of things have to do with them raggedy shoes that Melo be wearing. Them shoes are not made the right way for him. That's why he keeps tweaking his ankle every single time."

Lonzo has been sidelined since January 2022 due to a knee injury. He has undergone three surgeries on his knee dating back to 2022, missed the entire 2022-23 campaign and was also ruled out for the entire 2023-24 season due to the ailment.

While Lonzo has been off the court for two seasons, K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago reported last month that there is "growing buzz" he will "at least try to attempt to play next season."

LaMelo, meanwhile, has had repeated problems with ankle injuries since being drafted third overall in 2020. He hasn't played since Jan. 26 due to an ankle injury, and the Hornets ruled him out for the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign on March 28.

LaMelo appeared in just 22 games before being ruled out. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists while shooting 43.3 percent from the floor and 35.5 percent from deep.

LaVar told Reiter he expects both Lonzo and LaMelo to return to the court next season.

If LaMelo can stay healthy in 2024-25, he'll be due for a breakout year.

As for Lonzo, it's going to be hard for him to return to the player he once was after being off the court for a long period of time.