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LaMelo Ball ascending to next level would give Hornets unlimited potential

By James Mastrucci

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 03: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets in action against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 03, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 03: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets in action against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 03, 2022 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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There is no doubt that Charlotte Hornets’ fourth-year point guard LaMelo Ball is a rising star in this league. While his career trajectory is already off to an impressive start, being able to take that next step by becoming a superstar-level player would lead to the immediate potential of the Hornets being unrestricted.

This most recent season saw LaMelo Ball average a career-high 23.3 points and 8.4 assists per game, albeit in a career-low 36 games played. While his field goal percentage (41.1%) and conversion rate from deep (37.6%) took a bit of a hit, the volume increase for both offsets any negatives in this area. Even with the very small sample size, Ball clearly is on his way toward joining an elite group of players in the league.

LaMelo Ball is clearly a star player in this league and appeared to be a superstar adjacent player several times last season. While he has not gotten there on a consistent basis as of yet, that time appears to be drawing near. When Ball does reach this stratosphere, and he will, it will lead to the Hornets having a potential that can be classified as unlimited.

There is something to be said about having a player that can be depended on to be a difference-maker on a night-in and night-out basis. A superstar-level LaMelo Ball will take pressure off of everyone else and allow them to perform a bit more comfortably. Having someone who can get the most out of everyone else around them is a rare commodity in the NBA and not many teams can truly claim to have.

If Ball is able to become that it would lead to Charlotte returning to relevance sooner rather than later. Being able to cultivate a situation where the other younger players on the roster can grow naturally as part of a team on the rise can build confidence that is not able to come from other teams working their way back from the bottom feeders of the league.

The Hornets may not be a highly thought-of team at the moment, but they are far from being a team that should be tanking. A young group of talented players currently reside in Charlotte and there is a chance they develop into a quality supporting cast around LaMelo Ball. This paired with Ball’s expected ascension into superstar status could lead to the Hornets’ bright future coming a bit quicker than initially anticipated.

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