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LaMelo Ball, drafted No.3 overall in 2020, has shown flashes of providing Charlotte with a foundational piece.
CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – Rookie LaMelo Ball has captured the attention of the NBA this season with his scoring assists and surprising scoring ability, including Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan.
The six-time NBA champion said that when the Hornets selected Ball with the No. 3 overall pick, they hoped the crafty 6-foot-6 point guard would eventually rise to the level of becoming an All-Star.
Jordan loves the way Ball is evolving.
“I think Melo has adjusted to the NBA game better than any of us thought early in his career,” Jordan told The Associated Press in an email. “He has exceeded our expectations so far this season.”
Ball leads all rookies in most statistical categories, including points (15.8), assists (6.3), rebounds (6) and steals (1.6) per game.
More importantly, Ball’s play – which includes a range of smooth passes and needle threading – has brought the pizzazz and star potential needed for a franchise mired in obscurity for years. The Hornets are 17-18 entering the All-Star break, just one game behind the Boston Celtics’ fourth-place finish in the tight Eastern Conference.
“He’s the real deal,” jazz guard Donovan Mitchell said.
Warriors forward Draymond Green recently tweeted “LaMelo is a problem!”
“Right now, the way it’s going, he looks like the NBA Rookie of the Year to me,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s doing it statistically, their team is winning. He has energy, he has a vibe, he is swagger. If you like watching gamers playing with flair, it’s right up there. “
Ball, who grew up watching Penny Hardaway and Jamal Crawford, sees things on the pitch that most players don’t.
He regularly delivers behind-the-back time passes leading to transition layups, kick-outs for open 3-pointers and alley-oop lobs for dunks out of the pick-and-roll, many of those going to the Miles. High-flying bridges. , which earned the duo the nickname “AirBnB”.
Ball’s impact with the Hornets was almost immediate, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double in just his 10th NBA game. Still, it took 20 games before Hornets coach James Borrego put him into the starting lineup following an injury to Devonte Graham.
Ball is unlikely to be stepping down anytime soon.
The 19-year-old has only improved his game in 15 starts, averaging 20.6 points, 6.6 assists and 6.2 rebounds and has already won NBA Rookie of the Month twice.
“Me being me, I’m never going to say putting myself on the bench was smart or good to do,” Ball said. “I always feel like I’m helping out on the pitch. … But I think one of the reasons is that we didn’t have a summer championship, so he probably wanted me to do it.
Borrego said: “His growth, his fearlessness, his ability to bounce back even when things don’t go according to plan at one end of the ground… he’s a special child.”
Ahead of the third NBA Draft, there were concerns about Ball’s unorthodox shooting form with a lower exit point than most. He has proven himself wrong by finding ways to create his own shot while doing 37.8% beyond the arc.
Ball said coaches tried to change his shooting form pretty much everywhere he was, but he firmly resisted.
“I’ve always said, ‘This is how I shoot,’” Ball said. “I am confident of it. I feel good to let him go. Even coming here (to the Hornets) they tried to adjust it a bit, but I said, ‘No, that’s how I shoot’ and I just stayed with it. “
“I think people wondered at first: was he a good enough shooter?” Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak said. “I don’t think that’s a problem.”
This ability to shoot has forced teams to defend the ball behind the arc, making it easier for it to penetrate and score or flatten.
“Dude, he’s good,” Mitchell said. “I’m not going to lie, I’m very impressed with his ability to play, his competitiveness, but his joy. … He is very talented; he can do a lot of different things.
Ball said he wanted to add muscle to the frame and Jordan added: “We think he will continue to work and improve as a player.”
Ball’s long-term goal in the NBA is simple, if not high: He wants to become a Hall of Fame like Jordan.
Nothing would please Jordan anymore.
The Hornets haven’t made the playoffs since 2016 and haven’t won a playoff series for 19 years.
They lacked stellar power.
Ball, with 5.7 million Instagram followers, is gaining national attention. And his selfless, friendly approach could make the Hornets an attractive destination for future free agents, making Charlotte more competitive.
Like most rookies, Ball must continue to improve on the defensive end of the court for the Hornets to achieve consistent success.
“Our goal is to build a consistent winner and have the free agents watch our schedule, just like Gordon (Hayward) did in the offseason,” Jordan said. “It’s not just about Melo. These are our group of talented young players, our coaching staff and our entire Hornets organization. All of these factors, along with Charlotte being a great city, will make us a destination.
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