After two wins against the Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers, the Charlotte Hornets now face a two-game losing streak. Despite the team’s ups and downs, LaMelo Ball has been a steady presence in the Hornets’ rebuilding process. Outside of his All-Star season in 2021-22, Ball has shown flashes of his true potential. However, staying on the court has been a challenge. He averaged 23.5 points, 8.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals over the past two seasons. However, he appeared in only 58 of 164 possible games.
This season, Ball knew he had to prove he was still the franchise’s foundational piece. So far, he’s done just that. Averaging 29.9 points per game, he ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring. His high-risk style is clear in his 4.5 turnovers per game, which ranks third in the league. Watching Ball, you expect highlight plays mixed with some risk. Based on current performance alone, he’d be an MVP candidate.
So, what’s driving Ball’s breakout season, and can he sustain this pace? Let’s dive into the keys behind his success and the challenges ahead.
Health
The Hornets have played 11 games this season, and Ball has suited up for every single one. His consistent availability has been one of the season’s biggest stories so far. In the limited games he played over the last two seasons, Ball showed his capabilities, but lingering injuries kept him from reaching his potential regularly.
Ankle soreness remains a concern, but it hasn’t kept him off the court. For Hornets fans, any mention of his ankle likely sparks worry. Thankfully, it hasn’t become an issue, and as the season progresses, the hope is that he can continue to play without setbacks.
Confidence
Ball is a social media sensation known for a style of play that often feels like controlled chaos. His confidence shows in his bold shot choices and risky passes, which sometimes leave fans scratching their heads. With Ball, you have to embrace both the highlights and the risks, hoping they add up to a positive outcome.
His unfiltered style is a testament to his confidence—a quality that’s been evident since his high school days. Ball became must-see TV when basketball platforms began sharing his game highlights, drawing fans to his bold, unpredictable moves. It’s refreshing to see that he hasn’t toned down his approach, but as the season progresses, you hope he’ll channel that confidence into a bit more control.
Style of Play
The up-tempo style Charles Lee is bringing to the Hornets is an ideal fit for Ball’s strengths. While Steve Clifford was a respected coach, his slower, more methodical approach wasn’t the best match to unleash Ball’s offensive potential. A franchise must build a system that complements its star player’s strengths; this alignment drives real growth.
This season, Ball is taking a career-high 23.4 shots per game, including a career-high 13.1 three-point attempts, making 4.9 per game—another personal best. He’s currently second in the NBA in shot attempts behind Luka Dončić while leading the league in three-point attempts and makes.
As a team, the Hornets have climbed to third in three-pointers made (15.7) and second in attempts (44.9) per game. Last season, they ranked 23rd in makes (12.1) and 17th in attempts (34.0). The shift underscores just how much Lee’s system is empowering Ball and the rest of the roster to play a faster, more dynamic brand of basketball.
In Conclusion
LaMelo Ball’s start to the season has been nothing short of electric. With Charles Lee’s fast-paced system, Ball is thriving as both a scorer and playmaker, finally able to show his full potential in an offense that plays to his strengths. His health, confidence, and style of play are all aligning in a way that suggests he’s ready to elevate his game to new heights.
While there are still questions about his durability and decision-making, Ball’s early performances have reignited hope for Hornets fans. As the season progresses, the challenge will be maintaining this level of play and leading his team toward consistent success. If Ball continues on this trajectory, he won’t just be the foundation of the Hornets’ rebuild—he’ll be the face of a bright future in Charlotte.
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