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Jordan, who has become an NBA champion six times, said the Hornets chose Ball as the third number in the NBA’s rookie market because they expected the 203-centimeter defender to gradually increase his level of play to reach the NBA All-Star Game.
Jordan likes what he sees right now.
“I think Melo adapted to the NBA better than any of us imagined early in his career,” Jordan said in the AP. “He has exceeded our expectations this season.”
The 19-year-old leads among NBA rookies in many statistical categories, including points (15.8 each), assists (6.3), rebounds (6) and interceptions (1.6).
More importantly, L. Ballo’s game, not lacking in unexpected, sudden and effective broadcasts, gave the long-awaited brilliance and stellar potential to the club, which has long been searching for his face.
With 17 wins and 18 losses, the Hornets are competitive, trailing only the Boston Celtics basketball players who are in fourth place in a very level Eastern conference.
“It’s serious business,” said Donovan Mitchell, the American Jazz team leader who played at Prienai a couple of years ago.
Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green also recently wrote on Twitter: “LaMalo is the problem!”
“Now he strikes me as the best rookie of the year in the NBA,” said Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. – His stats are high and the team wins. Has the energy that gives wander. If you like effective players, this is it. “
Ballas, who grew up watching videos of Penny Hardaway and Yamal Crawford, sees the action on the court a little differently than most basketball players.
He regularly delivers the ball in unexpected ways to his teammates, who end up with three-point attacks, hitting the basket, light points on quick attacks.
Many of these packages travel to high-dancing Miles Bridges – the Hornets duo have already been dubbed AirBnB.
L. Ball’s influence on the Hornets team was immediately apparent. He became the youngest NBA player to record a triple-double in his 10th NBA game.
True, it was 20 games before Hornets coach James Borrego put the young defender in the starting five when Devonte Graham was injured.
It is unlikely that L. Ballas will return to the starting position in the near future.
When the nineteenth started 15 games from the start, his score was 20.6 points, 6.6 assists and 6.2 rebounds. He has twice won the NBA Rookie of the Month title.
“I’m the one who will never say that putting myself in a bank is a smart or good decision,” Ballas said. – I always feel like I’m helping the team on the field.
One of the reasons it took time was that there wasn’t an NBA summer league, so the coach probably wanted me to easily get involved. “
He impressed Charlotte’s coach, J. Borrego: “His growth, his lack of fear, his ability to bounce back even when things aren’t going well, … he’s a special boy.”
Before the NBA rookie trade, there were questions about L. Ball’s shaky hitting and pitching technique: He throws the ball a little lower than everyone else.
However, the defender’s accuracy is not bad and already reaches 37.8 percent. during the game.
“Scanpix” nuotr./LaMelo Ballas
Ballas said coaches are trying to correct his pitches wherever he is, but the youngster himself is satisfied.
“I always say, ‘Yes, I’m here,'” Ballas said. – I trust myself and I feel like it’s a good time. Even when I got to the Hornets, they tried to adjust me a little bit, but I said, “No yeah, I’m on this, I’m so used to it.
“I think people were wondering at first, ‘Was he a good pitcher?'” Said Hornets manager Mitch Kupchak. “I do not think that it’s necessary”.
When he hits the basket, L.Ballas frees himself in more ways to push towards the basket or pass the ball.
“It’s really good,” Mitchell said. “I’m not going to lie, I was impressed by his skills, his fighting nature: he is very talented, he can do many things.”
Ballas said he would like to add more muscle to build strength.
Jordan added: “We think he will keep working and become an even better player.”
Ball’s long-term goal in the NBA is simple: He wants to become a Hall of Fame caliber, just like Jordan.
The Hornets haven’t been to the NBA Playoffs since 2016 and haven’t won a series there in 19 years. The club was still starved.
L. Ballas with 5.7 million. Instagram winners are attracting a lot of American attention. His dedication and good passing could help the Hornets attract free players to the market in the future, making the Charlotte club even more competitive.
Like most newcomers, Ball needs to improve on defense.
“Our goal is to build a consistently winning team and invite free players to the club, like Gordon Hayward last year,” Jordan said. – It’s not about Melo. It is about a group of young and talented players, coaches and the entire Hornets organization. All of these factors, along with the goal of making Charlotte a good city, will make us a desirable place. “
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