ESPN writer's brutal 3-word description of LaMelo Ball is unfair

Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball has showcased his potential to rank highly among the NBA's elite point guards as long as he is healthy.

Unfortunately, he has yet to show that he can consistently stay out of the sidelines. In his previous two seasons, Ball missed more games than he appeared in, which is certainly a significant problem for a franchise seeking to climb out of the bottom of the Eastern Conference.

Still, the extended rest should be able to help him recover enough in time for the start of the 2024-25 regular season.

Tim MacMahon questions LaMelo Ball's ability to play winning basketball

Ball definitely has a lot to prove in the years to come — and apparently not just health-wise.

ESPN writer Tim MacMahon recently issued a scathing remark about the youngster in an appearance on "Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective." He and his fellow media personalities Windhorst and Tim Bontemps were doing a re-draft of the 2020 draft. When they got to the No. 3 pick, they obviously had to analyze whether Charlotte got it right.

MacMahon seems inclined to believe the Hornets could have done better, doubting if Ball can play winning basketball despite having a high ceiling. He also described the 2021 Rookie of the Year as possessing an "empty calories game."

His reasons? The California native has "garbage" efficiency and a "horrific" defense.

Perhaps it's easy to deem Ball an inefficient player because of his career field-goal percentage of 42.7% and career average turnovers of 3.3 per game.

However, in Ball's defense, the Hornets haven't exactly provided him with a roster that can maximize his playmaking. On a side note, that could change this coming season with a talented core nucleus of himself, Brandon Miller, and Mark Williams.

The aspiring superstar also deserves credit for having played in an All-Star Game at 21 years old. He also didn't just make a token appearance in the 2022 edition of the midseason showcase, as he established his place among the NBA's best by putting up 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 22 minutes.

Another reason MacMahon got it wrong with his analysis of Ball is that the Hornets are actually better with him suiting up. His on/off stats show that the team is more efficient with him on the court and is expected to win more games when he plays.

It's easy for people to criticize Ball, though, because the on-court product hasn't looked pretty for Charlotte in the previous four seasons. Things are looking up for the playmaker and the squad, though, because a new management is in place.