In a recent episode of the “Hoop Collective” podcast, NBA insider Tim MacMahon raised concerns about LaMelo Ball’s ability to contribute to a winning team. During a discussion revisiting the 2020 NBA Draft class, MacMahon expressed doubts about whether Ball could be a key player on a successful team. He criticized Ball’s playing style as one that fills up stats but lacks efficiency. “I’m not sure LaMelo Ball can play winning basketball,” MacMahon said. “He can put up impressive numbers, but his efficiency is poor, and his defense leaves much to be desired. It seems like he doesn’t prioritize winning.”
The Charlotte Hornets, Ball’s team, have struggled for years, with past stars like Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson failing to propel the team into championship contention. Despite high hopes for LaMelo Ball, who joined the Hornets in 2020, the team has yet to see significant improvement. Although Ball has posted respectable averages of 20.0 points, 7.4 assists, and 6.2 rebounds per game with a career shooting percentage of 42.7%, the Hornets’ performance has not improved notably since his arrival.
Despite Ball’s individual stats, many critics argue that his impact on the game does not match his numbers. His low shooting efficiency and poor defensive record, coupled with questions about his leadership, have led to concerns that he might be hindering the Hornets’ progress rather than helping them advance in the Eastern Conference. The team finished 13th in the East last season with just 21 wins, a stark indication of their ongoing struggles.
At just 23 years old, Ball still has time to develop and refine his game. However, the significant $260 million contract he recently signed places immense pressure on him to elevate his performance and prove himself as a franchise player. Moreover, Ball will need to demonstrate growth as a leader and role model, especially given past controversies, including legal issues and off-court incidents.
As the Hornets consider their future, there have been suggestions to trade Ball and build the team around promising second-year player Brandon Miller. However, Ball’s hefty contract might make such a move challenging. With the team needing to improve significantly, next season will be crucial for Ball to show that he can live up to his potential and help turn the Hornets’ fortunes around.