The Charlotte Hornets finished their season with a disappointing record of 19-63, ahead of the Washington Wizards and the Utah Jazz, who landed dead last in the entire league with only 17 wins. Despite all the losses, the organization is winning with LaMelo Ball's comments during the team's exit Interview.
"[Charles Lee] had a lot on his plate. Being a head coach in your first year and seeing all this, different lineups, the season in general ... he did a great job. I love the dude," said Ball about first-year head coach Charles Lee, a former member of the Boston Celtics' coaching staff.
To add on to Ball's point, he believes that coaching has never been the problem, which is interesting considering that some people believe this is the case. Well, the Chino Hills, California native thinks otherwise, saying, "Never a coaching problem. All the coaches who have been here have been great."
Ball has been named an All-Star and has received tons of individual recognition, but the Hornets overall have not moved the needle in terms of making strides toward the playoffs. It's losing season after losing season, normally landing toward the very bottom of the standings.
Fortunately, Ball does not want to be anywhere else but Charlotte regardless of falling short over the past few years.
LaMelo Ball wants to be in Charlotte
Ball was asked during the exit interview about his situation in Charlotte, whether he wants to leave or move on to another team, specifically a bigger market organization like the Los Angeles Lakers, for example.
The 23-year-old believes in trusting the process as he expressed his feelings during the interview.
"Just being here, I loved it. The fans are amazing. The living situation has been amazing. Everything's been solid. All that 'you need to leave' and this and that, when you build something, it's never just going to pop off and be the best thing. You have to stay there, work it out, do what you're going to do, and see what happens," said Ball about all the discussions regarding his choice to stay instead of leaving.
As the franchise player, Ball is saying all of the things fans, as well as the front office, want to hear.
Ball's contract ends after the 2028-29 season, so there is still plenty of time to turn things around. Maybe adding more experienced players could help, as former NBA big man DeMarcus Cousins shared before while talking about the squad's youthfulness.
Selecting a potential superstar in Cooper Flagg this coming NBA draft should also give the team a needed boost. That's likely contingent, of course, on the Hornets landing the No. 1 overall pick.
There is plenty that can happen as time moves on, but one thing's for sure: Ball wants to be in Charlotte.