NBA fans, the media, and LaMelo Ball‘s polarizing father, Lavar Ball, have long clamored for Charlotte Hornets‘ rookie guard to be inserted into the starting lineup. Hornets’ head coach James Borrego has been hesitant to make changes to the team’s starting lineup despite early season struggles but was forced to due to injuries to Terry Rozier, Devonte’ Graham, and PJ Washington.
Over the last five games, Ball has been sensational since he’s been interested in the starting lineup averaging 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.6. assists per game while shooting 44% from the field, 51% from three, and 89% from the free-throw line. Ball averaged 12.2 points per game coming off the bench in his first 20 games.
In Monday’s win over the Houston Rockets, Ball tied a franchise record for three-pointers in a game by a rookie (PJ Washington) and had his second 20-point, 10-assist game of the season.
The Hornets, overall, are playing better as a team. They are 3-2 since Ball he been inserted into the starting lineup and have climbed to the top of the Southeast Division standings.
I enjoyed watching the Charlotte Hornets tonight. They are one of the most exciting teams in the @NBA!
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 9, 2021
It is pretty safe to say that Ball is the real deal. He is the franchise star that the Hornets have been waiting on. Ball is a player that will have others around the league start to consider Charlotte as a place to come play. With the addition of Ball and Gordon Hayward, the Hornets look to be a playoff contender this year.
Although it has been a small sample size, Ball has shown so much more than other notable point guards in Charlotte Hornets’ franchise history. Let’s take a look back at how some of those point guards performed during their rookie seasons.