Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has shown the potential to be among the NBA’s top point guards as long as he remains healthy.
Unfortunately, he has yet to show that he can consistently stay off the sidelines. Over his last two seasons, Ball has missed more games than he has played, which is certainly a important problem for a franchise looking to climb out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Still, the extended rest should help him recover sufficiently in time for the start of the 2024-25 regular season.
Ball certainly has a lot to prove in the years to come – and apparently not just when it comes to health.
ESPN reporter Tim MacMahon recently made a scathing remark about the young man during an appearance on “Brian Windhorst and the Hoop Collective.” He and fellow media personalities Windhorst and Tim Bontemps were doing a re-draft of the 2020 draft. When they got to the third pick, they obviously had to analyze whether Charlotte had gotten it right.
MacMahon seemed inclined to believe the Hornets could have done better, doubting Ball could play winning basketball despite his high potential. He also described the 2021 Rookie of the Year as having an “empty calorie game.”
His reasons? The California native has “trash” efficiency and a “horrible” defense.
It might be easy to dismiss Ball as an inefficient player given his 42.7% field goal percentage and 3.3 turnovers per game.
However, in Ball’s defense, the Hornets haven’t exactly given him a team that can maximize his play. In fact, that could change next season with a talented player. core of himself, Brandon Miller and Mark Williams.
The aspiring superstar also deserves credit for making an All-Star Game at age 21. He also didn’t just make a token appearance at the 2022 edition of the midseason game, as he has established his place among the best in the NBA scoring 18 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals in 22 minutes.
Another reason MacMahon was wrong in his analysis of Ball is that the Hornets are actually better with him in the game. on/off statistics to show that the team is more effective with him on the pitch and that it should win more games when he plays.
It’s easy to criticize Ball, as the Charlotte native hasn’t been a great performer on the court over the past four seasons. Things are looking up for the point guard and the team, however, as new management is in place.
