Swarm and Sting
Fansided

Why the Charlotte Hornets have the brightest future in the NBA

By Michael Wylie

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets drives to the basket against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets warms up before their game against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on May 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 07: LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets warms up before their game against the Orlando Magic at Spectrum Center on May 07, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

A little draft lottery luck gifted the Charlotte Hornets new franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball

One of the most anticipated prospects in recent NBA history is a member of the Charlotte Hornets.

LaMelo Ball won Rookie of the Year for the 2020-21 NBA season. Averaging 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game, Ball quickly showed the league he belonged.

Battling for playing time in a good backcourt rotation, it took an injury-riddled first-half of the season from Devonte’ Graham to get Ball ample playing time.

Ball was the consensus rookie of the year before a wrist injury that limited him to only playing in 51 of the Hornets 72 games. Returning to action late in the season saw Ball continuing his rookie campaign where he left it off.

While the Hornets squad ended the season on a negative note, Charlotte showed they have a potential leader and point guard that any team would love to have at the head of a young core.

With offseason improvements on certain aspects of his game, Ball has the ability to be an all-star for many years to come and lead the Hornets to a playoff berth next season.

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