Charlotte Hornets: Defining success for LaMelo Ball’s rookie season

The Charlotte Hornets decided to pick up LaMelo Ball with their number three overall pick, but what will define the rookie’s success?

By picking the Ball brother, the Charlotte Hornets have committed to building a young talented roster instead of trading for another waning veteran star. LaMelo was by far the most entertaining rookie coming into the NBA Draft as he opted to show out in Australia instead of playing college hoops.

LaMelo is coming into a unique NBA season as the preseason games start in mid-December, only a month after the draft. With so little time to train and get used to the Hornets gameplan, the rookies may have bitten off more than they can chew.

LaMelo along with Duke standout Vernon Carey Jr will be going into this NBA season with the potential to earn a larger role within the franchise’s lineup. Carey will not be getting nearly the opportunity that Ball is due to the current center rotation, but anything can happen in the NBA.

But that being said, the number three overall draft pick will have standards to be considered a successful rookie. Every season there are a few rookies that struggle in their freshman tour but that’s okay because the keys to LaMelo Ball’s rookie success are quite obtainable.

What are the keys to LaMelo’s rookie success?

Ball’s success as a rookie shouldn’t be measured by the franchise’s success this season but as his skills develop. Hornets fans can hope that Charlotte surprises the league and maybe even edge into a playoff spot, but that burden shouldn’t be put on Ball.

LaMelo Ball’s scoring will be the skill that he will likely struggle with the most. I hate that phrasage however so instead I’ll say that his shooting will be his biggest struggle. Ball is going to score and his skills at driving to the paint are superb but his perimeter shooting is a facet that needs to be improved. Scoring-wise, LaMelo averaging anymore than 13-15 points per game will be a great bar of success especially coming into the best professional league in the world. However, his shooting needs to improve at least slightly for his development this season to be very impressive. Now, I’m not saying LaMelo needs to come out the gate scoring super efficiently, even in his preseason debut he had some first-game jitters. In no way, shape, or form am I saying that his rookie season will not be successful just because he struggles with scoring, but he has to show either efficiency or at least improvement.

Ball already brings polished playmaking ability to Charlotte after averaging nearly seven assists in the NBL. Ball’s passing ability is through the roof and can come into the league just as good as seasoned veterans like Ricky Rubio. I’m not going to set a ceiling for him to hit since his passing and court vision is already phenomenal and everything the ball touches his hands, fans sit up in their seat just a little bit. I hope he can crack the top ten in terms of assists per game, but it is his first season so I won’t strictly hold him to that.

LaMelo will have a lot to live up to after being selected at the number three overall pick, and with that honor comes a few expectations. Firstly, Ball has to make either All-Rookie First or Second team. There is no reason that in a weaker overall draft class, that he should not make the rookie teams. Other than Anthony Edwards, most of the guards in this year’s lottery were forwards so securing an All-Rookie guard spot shouldn’t be a problem. Furthermore, according to OddShark, LaMelo Ball is currently the favorite to win the NBA Rookie of the Year. Now even though through and through this is a weaker draft class, the lottery picks are all super talented players and shouldn’t be disregarded but for Ball’s rookie season to really be successful, he needs to at least be in the running for the award.

I’m very hopeful for LaMelo Ball’s future and it seems to be so bright but Hornets fans should remember not to be too hard on the kid, he is only a rookie.