While LaMelo Ball has (mostly) become a beloved figure among the Charlotte Hornets community, the same cannot be said about his father, LaVar. But upon finding out that the Ball patriarch trained his sons in basketball by not focusing on one-on-one skills, fans may have at least one reason to like the controversial personality.
In an interview with Rod Boone for the Charlotte Observer, the younger Ball explained that his father trained him and his brothers by playing three-on-three or five-on-five along with other children who lived in the neighborhood. He explained, “We just all run the hills, do the weights, and train. And after that, it’d just be threes, or we even go play five-on-five.”
Such training is probably why unselfish basketball runs in Melo’s blood. Of course, some people may scoff at that notion, since he has developed a reputation as an unserious shot-chucker who does not care about winning. Without even having to push back using his words, he has already tempered that perception. The younger Ball has emerged as one of the league’s best playmakers, and his court vision has enabled his teammates to excel on offense.
LaVar Ball should still keep his distance
Hopefully, though, the elder Ball won’t ever feel the need to meddle in his youngest son’s affairs. Naturally, he has continued to voice his opinions, such as implying that the Hornets must bring in the oldest Ball brother, Lonzo, to push Melo to greater heights and make the squad the “most watched, biggest team ever.”
The idea of adding Lonzo Ball is surely intriguing, as he can provide Charlotte with another facilitator and point-of-attack defender. However, there’s really not much room for him on the roster, especially after trading for Coby White to take care of the backup point guard position, with Sion James and Josh Green emerging as solid defenders at the wing, and his injury history that has been worse than that of his younger sibling.
Besides, LaMelo Ball has already proven he can flourish on the basketball court without any of his family members being heavily involved in his decisions. Even his bouts with injuries, which some folks have attributed to LaVar Ball forcing him to wear and promote the Big Baller Brand sneakers during his playing days before entering the NBA, have subsided. Well, Charlotte’s medical team has also had a hand in that development.
So, let’s pray that the status quo stays the same, even as LaVar Ball deserves plenty of credit for the Hornets star’s successful upbringing.