Charlotte Hornets

Many young NBA players grew up idolizing Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James, but when Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball faces James and the Lakers on Thursday, it will be just another game for the budding star.

According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, Ball said the following when asked if he was excited to be facing LeBron for the first time: "I mean, nah. I grew up a little different. Not really on basketball like that. So, not really."

Ball admitted "it will be cool" to face one of the all-time greats, but he added: "I go to every game with the same approach—going in to try to get a win."

LaMelo and the Hornets are entering the game against L.A. on a hot streak, as they have won four in a row and sit fifth in the Eastern Conference at 20-18. First, the Hornets must take care of business against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday, however.

Charlotte has not reached the playoffs since the 2015-16 season and hasn't won a playoff series since 2001-02, but Ball has injected life into the franchise and has the Hornets in the mix.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft looks every bit like the Rookie of the Year front-runner this season, appearing in all 38 games and averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 2.0 three-pointers made per contest.

Ball is also shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from deep, plus he ranks first on the team in assists and steals, and third in scoring and rebounding.

Given his ability to impact the game in myriad ways, Ball is somewhat LeBron-esque, although James' size and maturity allow him to be a much more physical player than LaMelo is right now.

LaMelo's older brother, Lonzo Ball, is a current New Orleans Pelicans guard and former teammate of James with the Lakers.

Lonzo's appreciation for LeBron is well-known, but when asked if there is anyone LaMelo idolized growing up in the same vein, LaMelo gave a shoutout to LaVar Ball: "It was my pops. So, I was big on family and stuff like that. Not really with the basketball."

Even if LaMelo didn't necessarily grow up wanting to be like LeBron, Thursday's game is a significant one nonetheless, as it will allow him to test his skills against the cream of the crop.

After a rough stretch, James has the Lakers back on track, as they have won three in a row and are in a virtual tie with the Phoenix Suns for second in the Western Conference at 27-13.

The 36-year-old James, who is 17 years LaMelo's senior, is averaging 25.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists this season, putting him firmly in the MVP race.

LaMelo isn't at that level yet, but he can learn a lot about where he stands among the NBA's elites when he takes the court Thursday.

LaMelo Ball's place in the Charlotte Hornets' starting lineup is looking much more secure these days.

Head coach James Borrego told reporters Wednesday the rookie point guard will remain as a starter for the time being but didn't note who would be lining up in the backcourt with him.

Hornets coach James Borrego says definitively that LaMelo Ball will continue to start. Didn’t address who else would.

— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) March 10, 2021

Terry Rozier (33 games) and Devonte' Graham (25 games) have started each contest they've suited up for this season with Rozier a slightly more productive scorer with 20.5 points and 3.2 assists per game compared to Graham's 13.7 points and 5.7 assists per game.

Ball has put together a tremendous rookie season with 15.8 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds in 35 games with just 15 starts.

The Hornets (17-18) are currently fighting for a playoff spot and will start the second half of the season as the No. 7 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte might still be a roster in development, but Ball's ascent has sped that process along. Having him lead the team through a pressure-filled back half of the schedule will allow Borrego to assess just how far he can push the rookie this year.

So far, Ball hasn't balked.

What that means for someone like Rozier remains unclear.

The guard is too productive to bench but could prove a valuable trade chip as the March 25 deadline nears.

Rozier has one year remaining on a three-year, $56.7 million deal and will earn $17.9 million in 2021-22—a reasonable ask for a starter or a potential sixth man on a contender.

The trade market should begin to materialize in the coming days as contenders begin to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. The Hornets are fighting to at least remain in that group as long as possible. Starting Ball will give the club the best chance to do so.

Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball has gained another admirer in Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.

During an appearance Tuesday on First Take (around the 1:15 mark), Green called Ball a "problem" for opposing teams and that "I love his game." The three-time All-Star went on to laud the guard's speed and passing ability.

Ball is exceeding expectations in his first year with the Hornets. Through the first half of the season, he's averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game. More impressively, the No. 3 overall draft pick is knocking down 37.8 percent of his three-pointers after converting 25.0 percent of those shots during his brief run in the National Basketball League overseas.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8khWm979TDs

Not surprisingly, FanDuel lists Ball as the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year at -550 (bet $550 to win $100). Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton is next at +600 (bet $100 to win $600).

Green almost certainly won't be the last to sing the 19-year-old's praises.

              

Must be 21+ and present in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, West Virginia, Colorado, or Tennessee. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See sportsbook.fanduel.com for details.

Former NBA forward Jalen Rose said he was on a phone call between the Golden State Warriors and LaMelo Ball during the 2020 draft where the Dubs' front office told the point guard they were going to select him with the second overall pick.

Rose, who works on ESPN's NBA coverage, explained Monday on the Jalen & Jacoby podcast (via Ali Thanawalla of NBC Sports Bay Area) he relayed the information to his television producer only to see the Warriors select Memphis center James Wiseman instead.

"They told him they was taking him and they didn't do it. I was on the phone," Rose said. "... They told him they was goin' to take him."

The Charlotte Hornets proceeded to take Ball with the No. 3 pick.

Golden State was heavily linked to Wiseman during the pre-draft process because center was the most glaring need on its roster with the Splash Brothers, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, expected to return from injuries to join Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green in the starting lineup.

On Nov. 18, just hours before the draft tipped off, word started to circulate Thompson suffered a significant injury during a pickup game as he worked toward his return from a torn ACL. It was later confirmed as a torn Achilles that would sideline him for the entire 2020-21 campaign.

The uncertainty about his status as the draft started seemingly brought Ball into the conversation for the Warriors, who could slide him into Thompson's spot in the lineup.

Ball added to the buzz by posting a video to social media right before the draft holding up two fingers and saying "y'all see my fingers":

LaMelo Ball is ready for tonight’s #NBADraft

(via @MELOD1P) pic.twitter.com/T2x9RtOC4p

— ESPN (@espn) November 19, 2020

Wiseman was solid during the first half of his rookie season for the Warriors, averaging 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 26 games, but head coach Steve Kerr said he wanted to see more from the 7-foot post player on the boards after the All-Star break.

"Rebounding is about positioning, it's about anticipating and he should be getting better as he goes," Kerr told reporters. "The second half of the season will be really big for James and for us. For us to win, to be competitive, he has to be a force in the paint on the glass."

Meanwhile, Ball has overcome a sluggish start to become the favorite for Rookie of the Year honors, and it's started to raise questions about whether Golden State made the right pick.

He's averaged 15.8 points, 6.3 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.6 steals in 35 appearances. He's also shooting 37.8 percent from three-point range, which is a promising sign since that was one of the question marks about him heading into the draft.

Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball has impressed nearly everyone over the first few months of his career, even Michael Jordan.

"I think Melo has adjusted to the NBA game better than any of us ever thought this early in his career," the Hall of Famer and Hornets governor told Steve Reed of the Associated Press. "He has exceeded our expectations so far this season."

Ball was the No. 3 pick in the 2020 NBA draft but is now a top contender for the league's Rookie of the Year award while averaging 15.8 points, 6.3 assists and 6.0 rebounds per game.

After beginning the season coming off the bench for Charlotte, the guard has especially thrived after becoming a starter with 20.7 points, 6.7 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game.

He was named the league's Rookie of the Month in January and February.

Beyond the numbers, Ball has turned heads with his ability to create highlights in a variety of ways:

LaMelo with a 30-piece 👀 https://t.co/vk2aQ5B4SW

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 2, 2021

LaMelo's handle is too nice ♨️ @brhoops https://t.co/lJb8U40JMF

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2021

LaMelo with a DIME 😯 @brhoops https://t.co/Yk13asEmRI

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 1, 2021

While scouts have known about Ball's talent since early in his high school career, a slow start in the NBA would not have been surprising.

The 19-year-old skipped college and played just 12 games last year for the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL before a foot injury ended his season. The COVID-19 pandemic then led to a canceled summer league on top of a reduced training camp and preseason.

The transition has been difficult for many rookies this season, but Ball has only gotten better and has the Hornets—who are sixth in the Eastern Conference with a 17-18 record—thinking about their first playoff appearance since 2016.

As LaMelo Ball begins to pull away as the favorite for Rookie of the Year, NBA decision-makers who passed on drafting him should feel the first symptoms of regret.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors didn't make bad picks in Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman. They just weren't the right selections with Ball on the board.

Ball, the 2020 draft's No. 3 pick, is on pace to join Luka Doncic as the only rookie to average at least 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.5 threes per game. Since moving into the Charlotte Hornets starting lineup Feb. 1, Ball has averaged 20.8 points, 6.8 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 2.9 threes (43.0 percent) and 1.9 steals with 46.0 percent shooting.

Every strength on Ball's scouting report from Australia's National Basketball League has translated to the NBA. And fast. But the bigger takeaway is the overblown predraft concerns about Ball.

Ball has convincingly answered scouts' questions—shooting with comfort and accuracy, handling physicality, appearing coachable and grounded.

Before the draft, every scout acknowledged his unique creativity and passing. He always seemed capable of climbing the NBA's assist leaderboard.

Bleacher Report (and others) ranked Ball as the No. 1 prospect because his perceived flaws weren't alarming or permanent. We looked past his 27.9 three-point percentage and unorthodox form to his dangerous shot-making skill. His skinny frame for finishing didn't bother me as much given the touch he had on his floater and how coordinated and ambidextrous he was around the rim. And skeptical scouts put too much stock into the immaturity narrative despite zero red flags from his stint in Australia. NBL executives raved.

Based on conversations with scouts who were hesitant before the draft and what we've seen so far from Ball in the NBA, it's clear there was overthinking by the doubters who questioned a small sample size of scoring inefficiency and lapses in effort.

The Timberwolves must have viewed Anthony Edwards—6'4", 225 pounds, an A-plus athlete—as safer than Ball with as much or more upside.

The Warriors likely took needs and fit into account with Wiseman, a center whose enormous frame (7'0", 240 lbs), length, athleticism and skill set also pointed to All-Star potential.

But aside from (presumably) misevaluating Ball's jumper and wrongfully nitpicking his fit, neither team bought enough stock in his superior ability (compared to Edwards' and Wiseman's) to impact games, specifically by making scoring easier for teammates with his pace, vision and IQ.

The numbers highlight Ball's tremendous influence on offense relative to his peers. Ball stands 33rd in value over replacement player, while Wiseman ranks 467th and Edwards 491st out of 492 players.

Terry Rozier, P.J. Washington and Miles Bridges are shooting over 50 percent off Ball's passes. Last season, Washington, Bridges and Devonte' Graham shot below 37 percent off Rozier's passes. Off Graham's passes, Washington, Rozier and Bridges shot below 44 percent.

Aside from shot-making and distributing, Ball is finding other ways to leave his mark. He ranks just behind Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook among guards in offensive rebounds per game (1.5). He's fourth in steal percentage (2.7 percent), forcing turnovers with his quick hands and anticipation.

Suggesting the Timberwolves and Warriors screwed up isn't to bash Edwards or Wiseman, who have flashed plenty of promise and possess paths to star-caliber value.

But wouldn't Ball be awfully useful for the Wolves, who rank 28th in offensive efficiency? And with Stephen Curry, who will turn 33 on March 14, leading the NBA in off-screen field-goal attempts and Ball showing he can play off the ball as well (32 percent of possessions at shooting guard), don't those questions about how they'd coexist seem silly? The Warriors' No. 21 offense has actually been 11.1 points better per 100 possessions when Wiseman is off the floor.

The Hornets wisely didn't worry about fit with Ball. They added him to a roster that had an established backcourt. They'll reap the benefits of two draft-night oversights and move forward with one of the league's premier two-way playmakers.

And don't sleep on this: Beyond his underrated jumper and layup package, Ball is showing unexpected hustle and intangible value, a factor that tends to separate good from great in the NBA.

                          

Stats courtesy of NBA.com and Basketball Reference.

Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball won't be participating in the NBA's Skills Challenge during All-Star festivities, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.

Haynes reported Ball declined the opportunity to compete, explaining more broadly how "the enticement to travel to Atlanta for the competition is extremely limited if one isn't already going as an All-Star."

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this will be a more scaled-down version of All-Star Weekend. Rather than dedicating an entire night to the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest, the league announced the three events will be on the same day as the All-Star Game.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms also cautioned against fans traveling to the city in hopes of attending the parties and celebrations often tied to All-Star Weekend:

JUST IN: Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms shares her concerns about the city hosting the NBA All-Star game. She says people should *not* travel to ATL.

“...we strongly encourage promoters, clubs, bars, etc. not to host events in the city related to this game.” @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/kCAPTfXcch

— Chenue Her (@ChenueHer) February 16, 2021

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver echoed the sentiment during an appearance on ESPN's The Jump:

"We don't want people to gather for events around this All-Star. There will be absolutely no social functions in Atlanta. No ticketed events. No parties. It is a made-for-television event at this point, and it's largely in Atlanta because that's where Turner Sports is located who will host this event ... that's why we are there, so we agree with the mayor."

When it comes to Ball, Haynes wrote how the absence of the Rising Stars Challenge likely meant the 19-year-old would stay home for the entirety of the All-Star break.

The Hornets star would've been a natural fit in the Skills Challenge. He's averaging 15.7 points and 6.4 assists through 34 games. He's also shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, alleviating some of the concerns about his efficiency at the next level.

Ball is the heavy favorite on FanDuel to win Rookie of the Year, sporting -410 odds. Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton is second at +600.

           

Must be 21+ and present in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, West Virginia, Colorado, or Tennessee. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See sportsbook.fanduel.com for details.

Draymond Green likes what he sees out of Charlotte Hornets rookie LaMelo Ball.  

Ball dropped 24 points and 12 assists while leading his team to a 127-126 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday, and the Golden State Warriors forward called him a "problem."

Lamelo is a problem!

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 1, 2021

The comment is notable for multiple reasons, one of which is that Golden State passed on Ball to select James Wiseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Ball fell to the Hornets at No. 3 and looks like a strong Rookie of the Year candidate to this point.

Ball and Green also embraced following Friday's game between their two teams when the rookie accidentally struck the veteran while driving into the lane. Ball came over to make sure Green was alright, and they embraced. 

As for Green, he exited Sunday's 117-91 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers with an ankle injury, but Warriors head coach Steve Kerr told reporters the injury does not appear to be serious.

Charlotte Hornets forward Gordon Hayward will miss Sunday's game against the Sacramento Kings with a right hand contusion.

The team had previously listed Hayward as doubtful.

The 30-year-old has been limited by hand injuries this season, suffering an avulsion fracture in December before reaggravating the problem in February.

After he dealt with leg injuries during his time with the Boston Celtics, any additional issues could be a concern for the veteran.

Hayward makes a major impact when healthy, averaging 21.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 2020-21.

The Butler product has been a go-to option offensively for a team fighting for a playoff spot, justifying the four-year, $120 million contract he received in the offseason. The 11-year NBA veteran has also provided much-needed experience for an otherwise young roster.

Depth is a question mark for Charlotte this season, though, and the problem gets even worse when Hayward is less than 100 percent.

LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier can help pick up the scoring slack, but the team will need more from bench players such as Malik Monk and Caleb Martin on the wing.

The future is looking bright for the Charlotte Hornets.

LaMelo Ball, who was the No. 3 overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft, has already flashed moments of brilliance and looks like a franchise cornerstone for years to come. What's more, P.J. Washington, Terry Rozier, Devonte' Graham, Miles Bridges and Malik Monk are all 26 years old or younger.

Throw in Gordon Hayward as a veteran and go-to scorer, and the Hornets have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2015-16 campaign.

They are 14-16 in the first half of the season, which is good enough to be tied for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte now knows the second half of the schedule it must navigate to reach the postseason. Here is a look at all the key information from the release:

            

2020-21 Hornets Schedule Details

Second-Half Opener: March 11 vs. Detroit Pistons at 7 p.m. ET

Championship Odds (FanDuel): +160 (bet $100 to win $160)

Second-Half Schedule: NBA.com

           

Top Matchups

Chicago Bulls (April 22)

The Chicago Bulls and Hornets are in similar places, and it has nothing to do with a Michael Jordan connection.

Rather, there is plenty of young talent on both rosters and a realistic chance to break into the bottom portion of the Eastern Conference playoff picture. Coby White, like Ball for Charlotte, has looked like a young building block, while Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and Patrick Williams represent a solid nucleus.

Veterans such as Otto Porter Jr. and Thaddeus Young help round out the roster, and a first playoff appearance since 2016-17 is not out of the question.

In fact, the Bulls and Hornets could be fighting against each other for one of those last spots in the Eastern Conference playoffs this season. That makes the head-to-head matchups all the more important when it comes to moving up in the standings and securing tiebreaker advantages.

This may not be a headline showdown, but it will be an important one for Charlotte's postseason chances.

            

Atlanta Hawks (April 11)

Like the Bulls, the Atlanta Hawks are a team the Hornets may need to beat for an Eastern Conference playoff seed.

They already won the first two matchups this season in January, giving them a leg up when it comes to tiebreakers. Adding another head-to-head win could help Charlotte swing the standings in its favor.

The Hawks are also a team featuring plenty of young talent with Trae Young, John Collins, De'Andre Hunter and others. Point guard battles between Young and Ball figure to be appointment viewing in the Southeast Division for years to come, and the Hornets' frontcourt will have its hands full trying to counter Collins and Clint Capela.

Between the early battles featuring Young and Ball, and the overall importance these games could have on the Eastern Conference playoff picture, Atlanta lands on the top matchups list for the Hornets.

           

Season Forecast

There is real reason for optimism in Charlotte for the first time since Kemba Walker was running the offense.

While the postseason is the goal for this team, the 2020-21 campaign is also about taking strides with an eye on the future. There is plenty of young talent already in place, and it will take some time for it to fully come together even if there have been hints about the overall potential.

Whether Ball can turn into the star the front office surely envisioned on draft day is the most important thing, but there are a number of players who figure to only improve with additional experience.

Ultimately, the Hornets will fall short of the traditional playoff bracket, but they will benefit from the changes in place for this season. There is a play-in tournament for the Nos. 7-10 seeds in both conferences in 2020-21, and Ball and Co. will find themselves right in the mix.

Even if they fall short in the play-in tournament, the experience of playing in pressure-packed, win-or-go-home games will benefit Charlotte in the long run.

Final Record Prediction: 34-38 (No. 10 seed in Eastern Conference)

                          

Must be 21+ and present in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, West Virginia, Colorado, or Tennessee. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. See sportsbook.fanduel.com for details.