Lamelo Ball has been going absolutely STUPID this season

[ForeverTFC]

It's clear to game plan against the Hornets is to hound Ball. I mean the guy is having a historic season in terms of usage so 7 turnovers in a game where he scored 44 out of the team's 84 points and also contributed 7 assists isn't that horrible of a metric. The fact he was 17/30 is the more impressive stat. Charlotte needs to upgrade the team by the end of the week.

The opponent scored 95 points. Yeah, w/o the turonvers, maybe Charlotte wins this game. But that's such short term thinking. He went off for a pretty efficient 44, had 7 assists, and his team couldn't beat an opponent that scored less than 100. I'm not sure the people harping on him are really internalizing this.

[sikma42]

Kid is balling and people are mad.

I don't think he can be expected to win with this roster. Until he starts to win more games, people will continue to question his playstyle though.

Yeah, I think when he starts winning people will stop questioning him then.

His rookie year he led his team to the play in game. This was after large portions of this board said he wasn’t even going to be a decent player and would wash out of the league.

Guess what happened. Either silence or shifting the goalposts.

This is what will continue to happen because people don’t like being wrong and many people have been off about him since before he was in Lithuania. There is a bit of hate for many when it comes to Lamelo.


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[Mad Guru]

It's clear to game plan against the Hornets is to hound Ball. I mean the guy is having a historic season in terms of usage so 7 turnovers in a game where he scored 44 out of the team's 84 points and also contributed 7 assists isn't that horrible of a metric. The fact he was 17/30 is the more impressive stat. Charlotte needs to upgrade the team by the end of the week.

The opponent scored 95 points. Yeah, w/o the turonvers, maybe Charlotte wins this game. But that's such short term thinking. He went off for a pretty efficient 44, had 7 assists, and his team couldn't beat an opponent that scored less than 100. I'm not sure the people harping on him are really internalizing this.

In two games vs the Magic this year.

The Hornets have scored 173 points (86.5 per game)
LaMelo Ball has scored 79 of those points (39.5 per game)

The Hornets Outside of LaMelo in those two games shot a combined 35-102 (34.3%)
LaMelo shot 30-57 (52.6%)

So LaMelo is scoring 40 points on over 50% shooting against the Magic, while the rest of the team is scoring 47 points on 34% shooting.

That's completely unsustainable basketball and LaMelo clearly is not the problem.

[Ito]

Wiseman is obviously a bad pick.

But Melo wouldn’t have helped the Warriors win the title in 2022.

They already had a checker in Poole, who made some big baskets that season and into the playoffs. But the Warriors don’t win the title if Melo is taking a lot of shots from Curry that year.

If Melo takes leads his team to the playoffs and wins series consistently, then we can revisit his impact.

IIRC Hornets fans also overestimated Kemba’s impact too.

You saying you can’t see Lamelo doing what Poole did that year? Can’t be serious, Lamelo would have been seen like the future of the franchise or at least a stud and a priority to keep him.. injuries aside Poole was suppose to be going off with the Wizards even if it wasn’t to win a lot of games and he’s only at 21 ppg

[Dan Z]

Don't tell everyone.

We low-key got something cooking with Melo/Miller. Just got to get Mark healthy and playing so they have a legit center to catch lobs and play defense.

Melo might mess around and lead the league in scoring. He's been on another level with his scoring this year. He makes it look so easy.

It's no surprise that Mark is hurt. Why didn't they draft Clingan at #6?

[ForeverTFC]

Don't tell everyone.

We low-key got something cooking with Melo/Miller. Just got to get Mark healthy and playing so they have a legit center to catch lobs and play defense.

Melo might mess around and lead the league in scoring. He's been on another level with his scoring this year. He makes it look so easy.

It's no surprise that Mark is hurt. Why didn't they draft Clingan at #6?

BPA. Apparently they believe Salaun has the potential to be the best player in this draft.

[Dan Z]

Don't tell everyone.

We low-key got something cooking with Melo/Miller. Just got to get Mark healthy and playing so they have a legit center to catch lobs and play defense.

Melo might mess around and lead the league in scoring. He's been on another level with his scoring this year. He makes it look so easy.

It's no surprise that Mark is hurt. Why didn't they draft Clingan at #6?

BPA. Apparently they believe Salaun has the potential to be the best player in this draft.

Only time will tell.

My two cents is that they'll wait a long time for that to happen, if it even does. In the meanwhile Clingan will be a solid center for the Blazers.

[Infinite Llamas]

Don't tell everyone.

We low-key got something cooking with Melo/Miller. Just got to get Mark healthy and playing so they have a legit center to catch lobs and play defense.

Melo might mess around and lead the league in scoring. He's been on another level with his scoring this year. He makes it look so easy.

It's no surprise that Mark is hurt. Why didn't they draft Clingan at #6?

BPA. Apparently they believe Salaun has the potential to be the best player in this draft.

And that’s exactly what is wrong with the team. They are still trying to swing for the fences when I’m reality, they need NBA players to compliment their two stars. Both Clingan or Edey would have been a much safer play…I’m sure they thought Bouknight was going to be the best player…or maybe Kai Jones?

The point is that people won’t take Melo or the team seriously until the executives desire to actually make competitive moves. Does anyone really think that Grant Williams is better than PJ Washington?

[ForeverTFC]

It's no surprise that Mark is hurt. Why didn't they draft Clingan at #6?

BPA. Apparently they believe Salaun has the potential to be the best player in this draft.

And that’s exactly what is wrong with the team. They are still trying to swing for the fences when I’m reality, they need NBA players to compliment their two stars. Both Clingan or Edey would have been a much safer play…I’m sure they thought Bouknight was going to be the best player…or maybe Kai Jones?

The point is that people won’t take Melo or the team seriously until the executives desire to actually make competitive moves. Does anyone really think that Grant Williams is better than PJ Washington?

Don't disagree with you but this is a new ownership and a new FO. So we can't attribute the mistakes of the past to them. They probably wanted to see what they had on their hands before setting their direction, and one more high end pick won't hurt.

If they don't get aggressive next year, I will definitely judge them. This is the type of team that should not be afraid to trade their 1st rounder if they can get real pieces back.

[EmpireFalls]

BPA. Apparently they believe Salaun has the potential to be the best player in this draft.

And that’s exactly what is wrong with the team. They are still trying to swing for the fences when I’m reality, they need NBA players to compliment their two stars. Both Clingan or Edey would have been a much safer play…I’m sure they thought Bouknight was going to be the best player…or maybe Kai Jones?

The point is that people won’t take Melo or the team seriously until the executives desire to actually make competitive moves. Does anyone really think that Grant Williams is better than PJ Washington?

Don't disagree with you but this is a new ownership and a new FO. So we can't attribute the mistakes of the past to them. They probably wanted to see what they had on their hands before setting their direction, and one more high end pick won't hurt.

If they don't get aggressive next year, I will definitely judge them. This is the type of team that should not be afraid to trade their 1st rounder if they can get real pieces back.

The new FO picked Tidjane Salaun #6 overall.

I have less than zero confidence in them. Even Kupchak wouldn’t have f’d up a draft pick that badly.

[Lalouie]

he plays VERY relaxed

[Optms]

Wiseman is obviously a bad pick.

But Melo wouldn’t have helped the Warriors win the title in 2022.

They already had a checker in Poole, who made some big baskets that season and into the playoffs. But the Warriors don’t win the title if Melo is taking a lot of shots from Curry that year.

If Melo takes leads his team to the playoffs and wins series consistently, then we can revisit his impact.

IIRC Hornets fans also overestimated Kemba’s impact too.

You saying you can’t see Lamelo doing what Poole did that year? Can’t be serious, Lamelo would have been seen like the future of the franchise or at least a stud and a priority to keep him.. injuries aside Poole was suppose to be going off with the Wizards even if it wasn’t to win a lot of games and he’s only at 21 ppg

Not to mention Melo didn't start taking excessive shot attempts until this year. Imagine LaMelo being brought up under the wing of Curry, Dray and Klay. Anyone still arguing Wiseman was the correct choice isn't worth talking with.

[MasterIchiro]

Fans on the Hornets forum wanted to bundle Miles Bridges with pick 3 for pick 1 - for Wiseman. Hornets would've done it for Anthony Edwards, I truly believe.

As far as pick 6, it's a new GM who's young. New Hornets owners came from Atlanta where he started as a scout and tasked him with the draft. It was his first draft. He was just taking office and feeling the euphoria of running a team with LaMelo, Miller and Mark Williams as bedrock pieces.

Meanwhile, the draft didn't really have a prospect with a star ceiling.

They selected Salaun in the honeymoon phase. I think it was a mistake. He won't bust but the Hornets didn't need a homerun. They needed a double and should've held Clingan hostage for trade value alone and as a hedge for the health of Mark Williams who missed nearly all last season.

As it stands, Clingan has more trade value than Salaun and that value gap is trending wider.

Hornets also opted for the project over the NBA-ready guy because they are leaning towards keeping their 2025 draft pick which is lottery-protected owned by the Spurs (converts to 2 seconds).

LaMelo Ball is #2 in scoring in the NBA, posting a clean 31 points per game to go along with 7 assists. With a full roster, his assists would be higher. With a real center with good hands like Mark Williams who's been injured all season.

The new GM will likely start next season with

LaMelo Ball
Brandon Miller
Mark Williams
Miles Bridges
Tre Mann
4 Hornets 1st round picks available for trade
2027 Heat 1st
2027 Mavs 1st

One of the Hornets posters said only 6 teams will hold more draft capital.

The team is well built and it's all under-the-radar.

Many of the fans succumbed to the bashing and bashed the outgoing front office. They joined the dog pile.

Some said Hornets should consider trading LaMelo because of his ankles. They're now saying trade Mark Williams because of his back last year and now foot this year.

They're screaming HOW DO WE REPLACE GRANT WILLIAMS after rejoicing the Salaun selection who backs Grant.

You all have your weak-kneed toxic fans, so be patient with ours.

The big picture is LaMelo chasing a scoring title.

We can all relent and just enjoy some entertaining basketball.

Is he going to become a superstar?

[MiamiBulls]

LaMelo Ball is an interesting player. He seems like one of those players that invites the "I just don't like the way he basketball therefore he isn't that good” brain dead assessments.

When you have that sort of functional bias, it becomes difficult to evaluate a player's effectiveness because you're more likely to start micro-analyzing only for perceived flaws in a player's game.

For example, the lamenting of Lamelo's Turnovers on this board; meanwhile 55 other players in NBA currently have a higher Turnover Rate than LaMelo which includes Steph Curry, Lebron, Wembanyama, Sabonis, Harden while Ball is currently 4th in the NBA in Assist Rate.

[golfreak]

Wiseman is obviously a bad pick.

But Melo wouldn’t have helped the Warriors win the title in 2022.

They already had a checker in Poole, who made some big baskets that season and into the playoffs. But the Warriors don’t win the title if Melo is taking a lot of shots from Curry that year.

If Melo takes leads his team to the playoffs and wins series consistently, then we can revisit his impact.

IIRC Hornets fans also overestimated Kemba’s impact too.

You saying you can’t see Lamelo doing what Poole did that year? Can’t be serious, Lamelo would have been seen like the future of the franchise or at least a stud and a priority to keep him.. injuries aside Poole was suppose to be going off with the Wizards even if it wasn’t to win a lot of games and he’s only at 21 ppg

Not to mention Melo didn't start taking excessive shot attempts until this year. Imagine LaMelo being brought up under the wing of Curry, Dray and Klay. Anyone still arguing Wiseman was the correct choice isn't worth talking with.

You're arguing after the fact.
The fact back then that Wiseman was the perfect for the Warriors at the time.
They had Curry and Klay at the time with Draymond. Wiseman was perfect for them.
Melo was not a fit for them.
You can bring up tons of players that didn't turn out well.
At the time Wiseman was a much much better fit for the warriors. Who knew he was going to be so ****.

[golfreak]

Kid is balling and people are mad.

I don't think he can be expected to win with this roster. Until he starts to win more games, people will continue to question his playstyle though.

Nobody is mad.
I don't see anyone not saying he's a talented player because he is.
You can score all the 40, 50 pts you want but if you can't beat a depleted Magic team missing a lot of their key players, he's not going to elevate himself to that next level.

[ItsDanger]

This is the type of playing style that can make teammates worse.

[lakerz12]

he plays VERY relaxed

Yeah he’s always played like that. I saw him play live vs supposedly the best team in Utah, when lamelo was a freshman at chino hills. I’ve always been impressed with how he plays with his head up, relaxed, un-phased.

That would be an intimidating environment for most freshman. But he went 9/12 from three.

I think it’s because he had two older brothers and a dad always pushing him.

[DusterBuster]

Wake me when he's actually contributing to a winning basketball team. He's always been an incredible individual talent but he's venturing into the "good stats / bad team" guy. Same with Cade Cunningham.

EDIT: I fully expect plenty of backlash to this comment, I also don't care enough about the Hornets or Lamelo to really get into any protracted back and forth convo with anyone here about it.

[sikma42]

Wake me when he's actually contributing to a winning basketball team. He's always been an incredible individual talent but he's venturing into the "good stats / bad team" guy. Same with Cade Cunningham.

There isn’t a point guard that would be winning with this Hornets team this year.


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