LaMelo Ball is one of the most entertaining players in the NBA.
LaMelo Ball has an All-NBA type bag with the ability to score and get his teammates involved.
Unfortunately, injuries derailed Ball’s career. Ball only played in more than 51 games once in his career.
However, Ball is healthy entering this season and hopes to make a big impact with the Charlotte Hornets.
Ball catches flack on the defensive end as much as he is talented on the offensive end.
Progress has been made, but the next step is to consistently maintain this level of defensive performance throughout the game.
A big critic is Kendrick Perkins, who actually thinks Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaren Jackson Jr. are worse defenders than Ball.
“This is going to be the year he needs to get his team into the postseason.
“If not, we need to sit down at a round table and consider whether we need to part ways.
“But let’s live in the moment, we’re looking at a talented young man who will excel at the box office in LaMelo Ball.
“The problem is he has to become a better defender, averaging just over three fouls a game.
“The only two guys that were worse than him were Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaren Jackson Jr.
“As a leader, as a franchise player, you have to take ownership and protect it.
“For him and the Hornets, their relationship is ticking. The East is wide open and they need to make the playoffs, and that could be through the play-ins.”
The Hornets last made the playoffs in the 2015-16 NBA season, losing in the first round to the Miami Heat.
The Eastern Conference is weak this season, so there is a chance for a team like the Hornets to make a breakthrough and compete for a play-in spot.
The Hornets have a lot of young talent, including Ball. The Hornets also have Brandon Miller and added Con Knuppel in the 2025 NBA Draft.
There’s an opportunity there for the Hornets to take a step forward and be competitive this season.