Charlotte Hornets: Three Matchups to Look Forward to in 2021
By Emmett Ball
Charlotte Hornets @ New Orleans Pelicans, January 8th
Just two nights later, the Charlotte Hornets will be over in New Orleans to take on Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and the New Orleans Pelicans. It is certainly worth noting that this is the only game airing on ESPN at least for the first half of the season schedule release for Charlotte.
The main reason to air this game on ESPN is the first-ever professional basketball clash between brothers Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. The two brothers have been taking over social media and basketball highlight clips for at least the past four years.
What is so special about both of these players making it to the league is that they are the first set of brothers in NBA history to be selected both in the top three of the NBA draft. Lonzo went 2nd to the Lakers in 2017 and LaMelo went 3rd to the Hornets in 2020.
It has been clear from first sight that both brothers have excellent basketball IQ and court vision and love to dish out the basketball and find the open teammate. They are as close to a “true” point guard as one can get, with their taller height being the only unusual part of their position.
Both of these teams are young and the matchups we will hopefully get to see such as Lonzo vs. LaMelo, Gordon Hayward vs Brandon Ingram, and Terry Rozier vs. Eric Bledsoe should make for a great ESPN Friday night matchup.