LaMelo Ball’s Hornets Coach Names His Biggest Weakness
LaMelo Ball's Hornets Coach Names His Biggest Weakness
LaMelo Ball faces a critical offseason for his NBA career development. Hornets head coach Charles Lee recently highlighted the need for Ball to increase his physical strength to better handle defensive pressure. This directive comes from Lee’s experience working with NBA stars Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum.
The challenge centers on Ball’s ability to withstand the physically demanding defensive strategies opposing teams employ against premier players. Elite players often become targets for aggressive defensive schemes, requiring both mental toughness and physical resilience. Lee’s experience coaching Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee and Tatum in Boston gives him valuable perspective on this development path.
Availability has been a significant concern for Ball’s career progression. He participated in just 47 games during the 2024-25 season, primarily sidelined by ankle issues. This continues a troubling pattern of limited availability over his past three seasons with Charlotte.
Despite these challenges, Ball’s on-court performance remains impressive:
| Stat Category | 2024-25 Season Average |
|---|---|
| Points | 25.2 PPG (career high) |
| Assists | 7.4 APG |
The Hornets organization has shown commitment to Ball’s development. Previously, teammate Miles Bridges reportedly “dragged” Ball to weight room sessions, helping him rank among the top three Hornets players in offseason training. This established foundation gives reason for optimism about his response to Lee’s current challenge.
Ball’s basketball intelligence remains one of his strongest assets. His court vision enables exceptional passing abilities and off-ball movement. He displays strong defensive instincts when healthy, particularly in help defense situations requiring quick reactions.
For Charlotte’s long-term success, Ball’s physical development matches his importance to the franchise’s future. The coaching staff clearly believes added strength will not only help him manage defensive attention but potentially reduce injury risk that has hampered his availability.
A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
