Is LaMelo Ball the right guy to lead the Charlotte Hornets to greater heights? His talent says he could be. However, some folks don't see it the same way because of his reputation as a flashy, inefficient player. Ball has been challenged to bring substance to his game, and the following season should be the perfect time to gauge whether he is up to the task.
Among those who have issued Ball a challenge is Zach Lowe, who asked on his podcast, "LaMelo Ball has to decide: Am I a carnival, or am I a basketball player? Because if he decides he's a basketball player, he could be pretty damn good."
Lowe shares the sentiment of many Charlotte fans. There's no doubt about how great of a player the star can be. He has already proven capable of keeping up with the league's best scorers and making plays for his teammates. He has even been a key part of a winning squad when the Hornets went 43-39 in the 2021-22 campaign.
Unfortunately, Ball still has not done enough to dispel the belief that he can save Charlotte from basketball purgatory.
LaMelo Ball has a lot to prove next season
Of course, injuries have been a massive hindrance to his quest to lead the club to the playoffs. While some of the ailments that have sidelined him aren't his fault, he also has the responsibility to prepare his body for the rigors of suiting up in a full NBA season.
Ball doesn't have to look far for inspiration in getting his physique right. Stephen Curry, his teammate's brother and son to a Hornets legend, had to deal with being labeled injury-prone early in his career before developing into a superstar.
Charlotte also has to do a finer job of providing the 2021 Rookie of the Year with a stronger supporting cast. The 2024-25 regular season showed how precarious it can be to rely on him to be a high-usage guy. Besides, only by having reliable scorers around him can Ball maximize his playmaking abilities.
The conversations surrounding the point guard's future, particularly the call for him to ask for a trade to the LA Clippers, should also serve as a wake-up call for the Hornets organization to help him reach his ceiling and be seen as more than just a flamboyant star.
Perhaps the 2025-26 campaign should be the ultimate test of whether he should be the franchise cornerstone moving forward. If Charlotte sinks to the bottom of the Eastern Conference once more, that should signal the time to hold the uncomfortable LaMelo Ball conversations.