There is no denying that the Charlotte Hornets and LaMelo Ball played captivating basketball. Each possession was like a game of Russian Roulette; nobody could predict what would happen next. However, while fun, this approach will never breed success. LaMelo proved time and time again that he shouldn't be a team's primary ball handler, which is why his trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves to partner with Anthony Edwards made so much sense, until injury struck.
Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball showed so much potential to start the season. They produced a fast and fluid brand of basketball that was smooth to watch. The Timberwolves raced to a 3-1 record. Ant-Man was playing at an MVP level, and Ball was soaking up the Minnesota vibes. Apart from the occasional rant at Rudy Gobert's expense, everything seemed rosy for the team.
The joy didn't last long as Edwards underwent right knee arthroscopic surgery on October 29, with the Timberwolves superstar expected to miss two months of action. Without Edwards in the lineup, LaMelo has become the leading face of Chris Finch's roster. The Hornets will know exactly how this fairy tale ends.
The Timberwolves are about to get the true LaMelo experience
Watching LaMelo Ball lead a team onto the floor is like watching an episode of Love Island: you know it's terrible, but can you really afford to miss out on the drama? This won't be pretty. Hornets fans can testify that there will be an abundance of random one-legged shots from deep, unnecessary showboating, and very odd pass decisions. Basically, everything a coach doesn't want his floor general to do, LaMelo will try it.
Losing two of the three games that Ball has led the lineup is no coincidence. Across this small sample of fixtures, LaMelo has recorded 13 turnovers and 14 personal fouls while shooting just 31.6 percent from the field. Not even the numbers can justify how hectic Ball's performances have been in Edwards' absence.
As the Hornets faithful will know, the absurd decision-making isn't even LaMelo's most frustrating tendency; it's his extreme inconsistency. Ball is a great player when his mind is focused. Case in point: the 25-year-old recorded a stunning 24-point, 7-assist performance in the Timberwolves' 127-101 win over the LA Clippers and then, one game later, he fouled out against the San Antonio Spurs after making just 20 percent of his shots.
Charlotte had no other choice but to cut ties with Ball. His superstar potential can't be denied, but at some point, potential is just a word. LaMelo's erratic style is fun; however, it will never lead a franchise to success. Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel have created an exciting future; LaMelo was simply holding them back.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are getting the full LaMelo Ball experience -- and that's hardly a good thing. Being an enigma is fun for a while, but it will never bring home a championship. Charles Lee and the Charlotte Hornets will be basking in the glory of their trade. Naz Reid's controversial benching is nothing compared to the drama LaMelo brings to the floor.
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