ImageImage

The LaMelo Ball Experience

Moderators: fatlever, BigSlam, Diop, JDR720, yosemiteben

User avatar
JDR720
Forum Mod - Hornets
Forum Mod - Hornets
Posts: 45,262
And1: 47,164
Joined: Jul 09, 2013
     

The LaMelo Ball Experience 

Post#1 » by JDR720 » Mon Feb 16, 2026 10:38 pm

EmpireFalls
Head Coach
Posts: 6,307
And1: 9,974
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
   

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#2 » by EmpireFalls » Tue Feb 17, 2026 8:23 pm

I think it would be extremely short-sighted to trade him and give up on him, as I have argued at length for the past few years. Frankly, I would like an apology from many on this board who said awful things about him and wanted him traded for garbage packages, but know I won't receive it.

I think it's good that most NBA fans moved past raw first order stats (P+R+A) for judging players, but too much of the media is still stuck on the 2nd order stats (TS%, A/TO, etc.) of efficiency which don't take into account role, play type, or lineup data - where LaMelo lags behind a bit. But when you go to the 3rd order RAPM/EPM/LEBRON/DARKO/etc. lineup data stats he looks like a burgeoning star. Elite plus-minus numbers, elite EPM, looks every bit like All-Star level impact and you feel it on court... only time I really trust the offense is when he's out there distributing to Kon and Brandon, the Kon/Miller-led units are extremely shaky. It's amazing how impactful he is while his individual scoring efficiency is so low.

If anything, he is now woefully underrated by the nerds who just look at TS% and think it makes them smart.

He is doing everything I ever wanted to see from him. I really, really hope he gets to grips with the physicality of the playoffs. He is doing enough to get us to a competitive team, but come playoff time he's going to have to prove he can live with the intensity and physicality. That's the final barrier for him to become that next level star we've all been hoping for.
Hornet Mania
General Manager
Posts: 9,858
And1: 9,571
Joined: Jul 05, 2014
Location: Dornbirn, Austria
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#3 » by Hornet Mania » Tue Feb 17, 2026 10:15 pm

Thing with Melo has always been health. The new medical staff has him playing most games and that's all he needs to prove himself because his positive impact out there is obvious.

I really hope he's turned a corner and with minute management is able to be consistently available from now on.
JustBuzzin
RealGM
Posts: 18,161
And1: 14,972
Joined: Jun 10, 2023
 

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#4 » by JustBuzzin » Wed Feb 18, 2026 12:05 am

Why are we still discussing trading LaMelo?

This core looks like they are finally turning the corner and the future is bright. I think LaMelo will be here for the foreseeable future unless he starts getting injured again.
User avatar
yosemiteben
Forum Mod - Hornets
Forum Mod - Hornets
Posts: 23,202
And1: 16,283
Joined: Mar 20, 2013
   

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#5 » by yosemiteben » Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:11 pm

YOU HAVE TO BE **** KIDDING ME

Read on Twitter


Read on Twitter
User avatar
JDR720
Forum Mod - Hornets
Forum Mod - Hornets
Posts: 45,262
And1: 47,164
Joined: Jul 09, 2013
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#6 » by JDR720 » Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:23 pm

LaMelo drives like he plays basketball. At least it appears that everyone is okay.
User avatar
yosemiteben
Forum Mod - Hornets
Forum Mod - Hornets
Posts: 23,202
And1: 16,283
Joined: Mar 20, 2013
   

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#7 » by yosemiteben » Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:37 pm

Read on Twitter
User avatar
fatlever
Senior Mod - Hornets
Senior Mod - Hornets
Posts: 60,924
And1: 17,507
Joined: Jun 04, 2001
Location: Terrapin Station
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#8 » by fatlever » Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:48 pm

surprised it took this long
User avatar
fatlever
Senior Mod - Hornets
Senior Mod - Hornets
Posts: 60,924
And1: 17,507
Joined: Jun 04, 2001
Location: Terrapin Station
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#9 » by fatlever » Wed Feb 18, 2026 10:52 pm

Image
EmpireFalls
Head Coach
Posts: 6,307
And1: 9,974
Joined: Jun 16, 2015
   

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#10 » by EmpireFalls » Wed Feb 18, 2026 11:13 pm

fatlever wrote:Image

A worthy avatar for our pathetic franchise
Bassman
Head Coach
Posts: 6,714
And1: 2,446
Joined: Jul 02, 2006
Location: Bye FL back to MO; NC born & bred
       

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#11 » by Bassman » Wed Feb 18, 2026 11:49 pm

JDR720 wrote:LaMelo drives like he plays basketball. At least it appears that everyone is okay.

:o
I hope he waited for the police to complete everything before he slipped into that other car and left.
I continue to wait...and hope...for the return to Hornet's glory.
Braggins
RealGM
Posts: 15,311
And1: 9,758
Joined: Jan 05, 2014

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#12 » by Braggins » Thu Feb 19, 2026 12:01 am

Welp lol, I posted this a couple years ago about his driving...

Braggins wrote:I have super mixed feelings about the LaMelo driving stuff.

On one hand I'm legit terrified for his safety. On the other hand, its kind of hilarious that the Hornets have one of the most famous athletes in the country and he drives around the city like an absolute maniac in cars that look like they could belong to The Joker in a Batman comic.

Crashing a custom made hummer sounds about right. Hopefully he cuts this out before he gets seriously hurt.
User avatar
JDR720
Forum Mod - Hornets
Forum Mod - Hornets
Posts: 45,262
And1: 47,164
Joined: Jul 09, 2013
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#13 » by JDR720 » Thu Feb 19, 2026 12:12 am

Dummer Hummer: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3
GiggitySmalls
Analyst
Posts: 3,107
And1: 1,657
Joined: Mar 21, 2017
       

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#14 » by GiggitySmalls » Thu Feb 19, 2026 12:19 am

LaMelo got rocks in his head off the court too. Everything about him is unserious and childish. 3rd island boy.

Sent from my SM-S936U using RealGM mobile app
User avatar
SWedd523
RealGM
Posts: 14,141
And1: 7,252
Joined: Jul 07, 2009
   

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#15 » by SWedd523 » Thu Feb 19, 2026 1:07 am

Time to get a personal driver
Image
User avatar
DaGawd
RealGM
Posts: 41,755
And1: 56,461
Joined: Mar 11, 2014
Location: Queens, NY
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#16 » by DaGawd » Thu Feb 19, 2026 2:32 am

someone need to take this mf license away… he’s proven to be an irresponsible driver way too many times
JustBuzzin
RealGM
Posts: 18,161
And1: 14,972
Joined: Jun 10, 2023
 

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#17 » by JustBuzzin » Thu Feb 19, 2026 11:23 am

DaGawd wrote:someone need to take this mf license away… he’s proven to be an irresponsible driver way too many times

DaGawd made an appearance on the Hornets board.


Momma we made it! :o
User avatar
DaGawd
RealGM
Posts: 41,755
And1: 56,461
Joined: Mar 11, 2014
Location: Queens, NY
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#18 » by DaGawd » Thu Feb 19, 2026 11:28 am

JustBuzzin wrote:
DaGawd wrote:someone need to take this mf license away… he’s proven to be an irresponsible driver way too many times

DaGawd made an appearance on the Hornets board.


Momma we made it! :o

:lol:

you know by now i kinda follow the hornets as my second team since i have fam living in charlotte/nc. i’ll be there late march for the knicks game 8-)
User avatar
HornetJail
RealGM
Posts: 47,094
And1: 14,611
Joined: Feb 05, 2012
     

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#19 » by HornetJail » Thu Feb 19, 2026 6:57 pm

DaGawd wrote:
JustBuzzin wrote:
DaGawd wrote:someone need to take this mf license away… he’s proven to be an irresponsible driver way too many times

DaGawd made an appearance on the Hornets board.


Momma we made it! :o

:lol:

you know by now i kinda follow the hornets as my second team since i have fam living in charlotte/nc. i’ll be there late march for the knicks game 8-)

keep your eyes open crossing the street near spectrum center :lol: :lol: :lol:
investigate Adam Silver
GiggitySmalls
Analyst
Posts: 3,107
And1: 1,657
Joined: Mar 21, 2017
       

Re: The LaMelo Ball Thread 3 

Post#20 » by GiggitySmalls » Fri Feb 20, 2026 7:04 pm

Did his license get suspended because he was wearing an apple vision pro? Just a rumor I heard, but wouldn't be shocked.

Sent from my SM-S936U using RealGM mobile app

Return to Charlotte Hornets