Bad Habits Hornets’ LaMelo Ball Needs to Fix Next Season
By Aidan Casey
2. Finishing at The Rim
Amongst guards with a minimum of 150 attempts at the rim for the 2022-23 season, LaMelo Ball had the second-lowest FG% in the NBA. (data via nba_indepth)
LaMelo shot only 54% at the rim. Only Lu Dort was worse, and Trae Young was only .3% better. Keep in mind that Ball is 6’7, and Trae Young is 6’1.
LaMelo’s lack of efficiency on layups boils down to one thing: contact. Oftentimes LaMelo avoids the contact and attempts to finesse his way around defenders for a Kyrie Irving-type of finish. At 6’7, there is no excuse to avoid contact.
Ball absolutely needs to get stronger and use his body to initiate contact when attacking the basket. If he is able to become a consistent threat when attacking the basket, it will open up his playmaking even more.