Hornets star LaMelo Ball named bounceback candidate
When assembling a list of players primed to bounce back in 2023-24, Charlotte Hornets star point guard LaMelo Ball seems like a pretty good candidate to make that list. That is why it did not come as a surprise to see Ball make a list compiled of players who fit that description. FanSided’s Lior Lampert had Ball as one of 5 NBA players primed for a bounce-back season in 2023.
Before mentioning LaMelo Ball as a special talent and noting the above-average size for an NBA point guard, there were some concerns about how last season unfolded, including playing the fewest number of games in his career up to this point.
"In his third year as a pro, Ball shot a career-low 41.1 percent from the field while continuing to struggle immensely on the defensive end and turning the ball over at the highest rate of his career. It was also an injury-riddled season for Ball that saw him play only 36 games due to nagging ankle injuries."
Ball was not the only Hornets player to miss time last season. The injuries to Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier were well documented in addition to Miles Bridges missing all last season. Their returns should take pressure off of Ball to shoulder the entire load and play hero ball. There is also more help that Ball may be receiving this year. The additions of Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr. in this past draft. Miller and Smith should at least help raise the talent floor for the Hornets this upcoming season, thus making Ball’s job easier.
Should the Hornets be the recipients of the other side of the spectrum of what occurred last season, a bounceback season from LaMelo Ball would be a near certainty From a broader perspective, it could also help the Hornets make a run for postseason play and at least disrupt the state of the Eastern Conference.
3 potential positive outcomes for the Hornets
