As great as he is now, LaMelo Ball still has plenty of room for improvement. An area the Charlotte Hornets want to see him take a leap in is his leadership, mainly because he is the team's best player. Grant Williams recently addressed the matter, stating how the Hornets star has been impressive as a leader.
In an interview with Rod Boone of the Charlotte Observer, he explained how Ball has led with both words and actions. Williams gushed about the 2022 All-Star being "there every single day" and always making himself available for workouts.
While tagging Ball as the Hornets' savior might be counter-productive, the franchise can really only go as far as where he leads it. So, it's refreshing to know that he is leading the players by example. As it stands now, there is no one on the roster older who has the potential to be better than him in terms of hoops skills. Maybe Brandon Miller can overtake him in the future, but he is over a year older than the swingman.
So, a ton of responsibility rests on Ball's shoulders.
LaMelo Ball doesn't have to be a vocal leader
Contrary to what some people may believe, the mark of a good leader isn't always in being outspoken. Therefore, Ball's capability to guide the Hornets shouldn't be judged by how zealous or animated he appears when he talks it up with his teammates. It's unfair to expect someone as laidback as the 2021 Rookie of the Year to turn into a vocal leader suddenly.
The Golden State Warriors dynasty showed that a squad can make multiple runs to the top of the league even without Stephen Curry being as vociferous as other superstars. However, he does have Draymond Green, who has become notorious for almost always running his mouth, by his side.
The question is if Ball can find a Green to his Curry. Maybe Williams can play the part, as his candid personality and relatively extensive experience could boost his value as a leader for an upstart Hornets crew.
Of course, Melo will have to continue leading by example, especially since most of Charlotte's key building blocks are younger than him. The first thing he should demonstrate is his resolve to keep his body healthy and join his teammates on the floor in as many games as possible. Hopefully, that wouldn't prove to be easier said than done, as Ball has spent more time on the sidelines than he probably would have wanted in the past three seasons.
Another crucial area where Ball should strive to be better is his shooting and playmaking efficiency. His shot selection and propensity to commit a lot of turnovers have been criticized in previous years, and if he can address those issues, it would likely be easier for the rest of the Hornets squad to improve their games.