The Chicago Bulls have been one of the NBA's surprise teams early in the season  – and Lonzo Ball is a huge part of their resurgence.

The five-year pro's biggest leap this season has been most evident in his three-point shooting. Lonzo Ball was already much-improved during his two years with the New Orleans Pelicans, shooting it at a respectable 37.6% from distance, a far cry from his 31.5% during his first two years with the Los Angeles Lakers.

But he's turned it up to another level in Chicago. The Bulls guard has become a flamethrower from beyond the arc, scorching the nets at a 44.7% clip on nearly seven attempts per game.

On the latest episode of Old Man and the Three podcast, his current and former teammates in Alex Caruso and JJ Redick spoke out on what's behind Lonzo Ball's newfound success with the Bulls, not just with his shooting, but his overall demeanor on the court. According to Caruso, Lonzo Ball's early stint with the Lakers took away the identity that made him such a valuable prospect in the first place.

“I felt like when he got to LA, he tried to play a different game,” said Caruso. “He tried to fit in to what the NBA point guard is supposed to do or what they wanted him to do. I feel like over the last year, year and a half, he started to play his game, which is no conscience. If you're open, you shoot it. If you've got it on the break, you push it and you play fast. That's how he played in high school. That's how he played in college. That's the reason he was the No. 2 pick in the draft.”

“I think he got away from that in LA for whatever reason,” the Bulls guard continued. “I have no idea what strings were pulled and voices were being heard, but the fact that he's back to playing like himself, I think he's just enjoying the game of basketball.”

JJ Redick echoed Caruso's statement, harping on the fact that the various pressures of both being the second overall pick in the draft for the Lakers of all franchises takes its toll on the development of young stars. The fact that LeBron James came over in his second season probably didn't make things any less nerve-wracking for him, either. He's free from all that pressure now in Chicago.

“When he is just sort of not thinking, and just shooting, he's as good as anyone in the league shooting the ball,” said JJ Redick.

The Bulls have built the ideal situation for Lonzo Ball to just be himself right now. As far as Alex Caruso and JJ Redick are concerned, that has made all the difference.