Is Charlotte Hornets’ LaMelo Ball only a borderline All-Star?
Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball clearly is an extremely talented player and is one of the best players on the court at any given time. But where does Ball stand when compared to the other point guards in the league?
According to a ranking of all 30 starting point guards by Hoops Habit’s Cal Durrett, Ball is considered to be in the third tier of point guards, a group that is classified as borderline All-Stars. This is a group that also consists of Jamal Murray, Tyrese Haliburton, D’Aaron Fox, Jalen Brunson, Darius Garland, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, and James Harden.
"“Tier 3 features many up-and-coming guards, several of whom have already made one all-star team but haven’t established themselves as perennial all-stars just yet.”"
This grouping is similar to a different ranking that saw Ball being ranked 14th overall and on the tail end of Tier 2. Ball’s placement in this group is based on his one All-Star appearance in 2022 but was unable to return in 2023. The 22-year-old dealt with injuries early on in the year and was not efficient enough when he was available last season, ultimately keeping him from making a second consecutive appearance.
Keeping in mind that the next two tiers are Perennial All-Stars and MVP-level players, Ball finding himself in this tier is more than fair. Even though he is an electric player, there is still a notable difference between the abilities of Ball and players such as Damian Lillard and Steph Curry.
It is very possible that Ball could find himself in the next tier this time next year. The Hornets star definitely has the talent to do so. It is about finding a way to be more efficient, avoiding injuries, and putting his entire skillset together. Additionally, having a healthy supporting cast could help his cause. Charlotte’s starting lineup was decimated by injury for the majority of last season, resulting in some less-than-stellar numbers for more than a few players. A starting lineup that is intact for a larger amount of games should result in better numbers across the board, and that includes Ball.
