In the earlier portions of the 2024-25 campaign, LaMelo Ball emerged as one of the league's most potent scorers, recording 31.8 points per game in November. The Charlotte Hornets star's output has declined since then, as he is averaging just 25.2 points per contest for the season, which would have had him ranked just outside the top 10 in the scoring leaderboard. He wouldn't have qualified to join the league leaders due to having missed so many games.
It's unclear exactly why Ball has become even more inefficient from the field. After sinking 41.9 percent of his shots from the start of the regular season until the end of January, his field-goal percentage has been an atrocious 35.4 percent since then.
Nursing some injuries has likely limited his effectiveness in racking up the score. In addition, a depleted Hornets roster has resulted in defenses being able to focus their schemes and paying more attention to the electric point guard.
So, does that mean Ball should just wait for his and his teammates' health to be back to 100 percent for his efficiency to pick up? Obviously not, especially if he wants to rise through the ranks in the NBA.
There have been calls or LaMelo Ball to master foul-baiting
Retired forward Chandler Parsons offered a suggestion for the Hornets' cornerstone to elevate his game. He stated on "Run It Back" that Ball is leaving "free money" on the table by not going to the free-throw line more often. Parsons also brought up James Harden and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as possible role models for the 23-year-old phenom.
As some might remember, Harden made a living out of baiting defenders into committing fouls. During his Houston Rockets tenure, he averaged 10.6 trips to the charity stripe per game.
In recent seasons, Gilgeous-Alexander has taken on the mantle of being the NBA's premier free-throw merchant. He is on his way to a third consecutive year of pacing all players in attempts from the foul line. The Oklahoma City Thunder superstar's ability to find easy points has helped him place first in most MVP races, with Nikola Jokic likely the only real competition.
Interestingly, though, Harden and Gilgeous-Alexander have earned a negative reputation among some circles around the league, particularly outside the fan bases of their respective squads, because of their "unethical" play styles. Would Charlotte fans want Ball to display a similar brand of basketball?
Parsons certainly thinks so. If the 2022 All-Star can increase his average free-throw attempts from his current rate of 4.9 tries per match this campaign, which is already a career-high, the former second-round pick believes he will be a more productive scorer and preserve his body more effectively.
It remains to be seen if Ball can redefine his game and master the art of drawing fouls. However, that might be easier said than done, as the Hornets have rarely received favorable whistles from referees. Melo will need to keep his shoulders to the wheel if he wants to double raise his free-throw rate.