LaMelo Ball is one of the most polarizing young prospects available in the 2020 NBA Draft. Some teams view him as a superstar of the future, fully capable of leading their organization to the next level. Others see him as a potential headache, not worth the headlines he inevitably brings.
Regardless of where Ball ultimately goes in this year’s draft, everyone agrees it will be somewhere high. As such, the 20-year-old made it a point to pick out his finest suit for the big occasion.
On Wednesday afternoon, he revealed that suit to the world.
LaMelo’s draft-day fit 🔥
(via @MELOD1P) pic.twitter.com/0Lltd8cLcH
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 18, 2020
Needless to say, people had some reactions.
gonna be awkward asf when he goes 5th overall
— Depressed Sixers Fan (@depressedsixer) November 18, 2020
Why does he look like hes about to drop an RnB album…
— Wami🦃 (@WamiWaynwiedWo) November 18, 2020
— PERCzingis (@WhereIsLexLuger) November 18, 2020
Similar energy pic.twitter.com/6VvvqEN3j4
— Matt Nelson (@MNelson_ISU) November 18, 2020
What in the coronavirusfuck is that???
— Corey Taylor (@ofmice_n_men) November 18, 2020
Ball’s attire notwithstanding, the youngster brings a very interesting element to the NBA this year. He has some clear strengths: he’s a great ambidextrous passer, excellent ballhandler, underrated rebounder and has good instincts off the ball.
The 20-year-old also has some noteworthy weaknesses: incessantly jacking up bad shots, poor shooting mechanics, fear of contact around the rim and shoddy defense.
Poor Kyle Kuzma out here catching strays. https://t.co/AoWC9QuGv6
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 18, 2020
Over the course of an abbreviated 12-game stretch with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League, Ball averaged 17.0 points on 37.5 percent shooting, 7.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. It was a strong overall performance that left many excited about the prospect’s pro potential.
Of course, that was international ball and this is the NBA. Sometimes the success translates, other times it doesn’t.
There have been a lot of mixed feelings regarding Ball and his place in the NBA, so it will be interesting to see if the doubters are ultimately vindicated or proven wrong.
Related: Anthony Edwards Dismisses Dame Lillard’s Rap Skills
Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
