The 2024-25 campaign ended heartbreakingly for LaMelo Ball. He started the season strong, trying to lead an injury-ravaged Charlotte Hornets squad. Unfortunately, he also endured ailments of his own, resulting in a significant downturn in production and efficiency. The good news is that he has undergone arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome ankle and wrist, which should get his body ready for the following season.
Despite Ball's injuries, he remains one of the most talented players in the league. Sure, he has several flaws, but those haven't stopped him from proving his place among the NBA's elite.
Unfortunately, the 2022 All-Star has been branded as overrated, with his impact on winning, leadership, tendency to make flashy plays, and defense being among the qualities that he has been criticized for. The major culprit for the unfavorable reputation has been the media discourse surrounding his game.
NBA players don't see him as overrated
Interestingly, Ball's peers don't seem to think of him in the same manner. In a recent poll of anonymous players by The Athletic (subscription required), only one of 90 respondents voted for him as the league's most overrated player.
The star who received the most votes was Tyrese Haliburton, which is a bit intriguing because he has just helped the Indiana Pacers grab the No. 4 seed in the East after leading them to the conference finals last year. It's worth noting that some folks believe the Pacers got an easy path to the 2024 ECF because of the injuries that razed the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks, their opponents in the first two rounds.
Rounding up the top three are Rudy Gobert and Trae Young. Those results weren't that surprising after they finished first and third, respectively, in last season's poll.
It remains to be seen if Ball can avoid the overrated tag among other NBA players again next year. He would have to work on several areas of his game in order to do so. Fans may be thrilled to hear that Hornets coach Charles Lee has a solid plan this summer for his star that should aid in his development.
Of course, Charlotte will benefit from Ball's growth. Hopefully, his health won't be an issue anymore. Let's not forget that the last time he had an injury-free campaign, he helped lead the team to a winning season. Unfortunately for the Hornets, their 43-39 record was enough only for the No. 10 seed in the East in the 2021-22 season.