Swarm and Sting
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Top 5 Point Guards in Charlotte Hornets history

By Evan Birchmore

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 12: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets and Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks greet each other following their game at Spectrum Center on November 12, 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 - NOVEMBER 12: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets and Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks greet each other following their game at Spectrum Center on November 12, 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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Mar 19, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) brings the ball up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (2) brings the ball up the court against the Dallas Mavericks during the third quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Westerholt-USA TODAY Sports /

LaMelo Ball (2020-present)

With only two seasons under his belt, LaMelo Ball certainly projects to finish higher on the list of Hornets’ all-time point guards. However, his achievements through his first two seasons already command a high ranking.

Ball hit the ground running upon entering the NBA and captured the NBA Rookie of the Year Award despite missing 21 games due to injury. The year prior, the Hornets had gone 23-42 in the covid-shortened 2020 season, good for a 29-win pace over the course of a typical 82-game schedule. In the 51 games that Ball played in 2021, Charlotte went 23-28, which projects to a 37-win pace over an 82-game season.

Ball appeared in 75 games in 2022, helping lead the Hornets to a 43-39 record, their best since 2016. Charlotte finished the year with the most wins by an Eastern Conference 10th seed since the ABA-NBA merger in 1976.

They also had the most wins by a 10th seed in either conference since the 2001 Seattle SuperSonics.

Ball’s stellar play earned him an All-Star selection, making him the fourth-youngest player to ever be named an All-Star; only Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson achieved the feat at a younger age. Ball poured in 18 points in 22 minutes of All-Star game action, good for the third-highest total for Team Durant and the second-highest points per minute figure on the team behind Joel Embiid.

While the 2022 offseason has seen plenty of uncertainty in Charlotte, Ball’s continued ascension is perhaps the surest bet within the Hornets franchise at the moment.