As long as LaMelo Ball is with the Charlotte Hornets, they have to learn to deal with the good and the bad. However, if they plan on contending anytime soon, they need Ball to stay on track to becoming the superstar he can potentially be. It's worth noting, though, that the Hornets also have a key role in cultivating an atmosphere that could unlock him, even if it means keeping him on a short leash and holding him accountable.
Internet personality Kenny Beecham made a good point in a recent appearance on "The Kevin O'Connor Show," saying that Ball had the longest leash in "every step of his basketball playing career."
As many might remember, Ball had a colorful high school career, where he was allowed to do almost anything he wanted. For instance, when he scored 92 during his sophomore year, he courted plenty of criticism for not playing defense, instead often waiting at half-court to get an open shot on the next offensive possession. The Chino Hills native then left school before his junior season because his father disapproved of the new coach.
Sometime after, he played professionally in Lithuania and for the Junior Basketball Association, then a new league created by the Ball patriarch as an alternative for hoopsters who wanted to skip college basketball. Melo then opted to return for his senior year by joining SPIRE Institute and Academy, an Ohio-based prep school that operated outside the jurisdiction of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, allowing him to compete despite his prior professional experience.
Ball also squandered his opportunity to play for his purported dream school, the University of California, Los Angeles, because of his professional background, as well as his prior signing with an agent and his release of a signature shoe line with Big Baller Brand.
So, Ball's camp decided to bring his talent to the Australia-based National Basketball League. His two-year contract, though, had a clause that allowed him to opt out and enter the NBA draft.
Given the star's amateur history, it's hard to argue against Beecham's statement. Even Ball's first years with the Hornets were marked by unfortunate mismanagement that not just failed to rein him in but also to provide him with a roster that could maximize his talent and encourage him to take his game more seriously.
LaMelo Ball's approach this offseason has been different
It appears, though, that the new regime in Charlotte has had the 2021 Rookie of the Year treating the offseason and his improvement more conscientiously. For example, he has built up his strength this summer, which Charles Lee had explicitly wished to see from his star player. The added muscle will allow Ball to withstand physical defenses, hinting at his commitment to trying to put the Hornets in a better position to win on game nights.
Another criticism targeted at Melo is his questionable shot selection. However, the preseason has demonstrated the progress he has made in that area. He has been pretty efficient from the field and has looked to facilitate the offense as often as possible, regardless of whether he has the ball in his hands or not. Of course, Ball has still displayed the tendency to be a showman during some possessions, but the Hornets probably know better than to force him to change his play style completely.
Naturally, it's easy to doubt whether the 24-year-old floor general can maintain his efficient game once the regular season starts. After all, it is still just the preseason. Hopefully, the Hornets can continue to foster an environment where he can thrive, be held accountable, and prove that he is capable of playing winning basketball.