Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball is the most intriguing rookie entering the NBA this year. Partially due to his famous family, and somewhat as a result of his own self-promotion, the 19-year-old has the most hype of any young prospect.
This week, LaMelo’s dad, LaVar, spoke out at length regarding why he perceives him to be a better basketball player than his brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo.
“Lonzo is a facilitator he can do his thing, he can score,” LaVar said on Shannon Sharpe’s ‘Club Shay Shay’ Show.
“But Gelo is one heck of a shooter. Melo learns from both of them. So Melo is the only one in my family that can play the one or the two.”
Because LaMelo can score or distribute at will, LaVar believes he is clearly the most talented of the three sons.
Malik Beasley made a very costly mistake with Larsa Pippen. Now he’s paying the ultimate price. https://t.co/gPmLqsIakI
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 2, 2020
“Melo could flip from playing the one out of necessity, to flipping to the two to score a hundred points on his own,” he continued.
“He plays point out of necessity. He loves to score. But he’s the only one who can flip his mind to play either the one or the two where my other two sons have to stay in their lane.”
Lonzo, for what it’s worth, doesn’t seem too nervous about having to square off against his little brother.
LaMelo was viewed by many franchises as a high-risk, high-reward option heading into the 2020 NBA Draft. He has a nice jump shot that he can get off at any time, but needs to improve its accuracy. He also has great ball-handling and court vision, but will almost certainly be a defensive liability at the start of his career.
Over the course an abbreviated 12-game stretch with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s National Basketball League, LaMelo 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 professional potential.
Larsa Pippen’s son reacts to his mom getting passed around like a basketball. https://t.co/wYDiitHd6A
— Game 7 (@game7__) December 2, 2020
The Hornets desperately need a talented young player to rally around, so Michael Jordan taking a chance on LaMelo is understandable. If it works out, he could be the sort of franchise star that the organization can build around for the next decade.
If he’s a bust, though – then this could be the sort of disaster that follows the Hornets around for a very long time.
Related: Larsa Pippen’s Son Reacts To Mom’s Malik Beasley Situation
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.
