Hornets’ LaMelo Ball is getting defensive. It could spell big trouble for NBA opposition
Lost in the excitement of it all, LaMelo Ball had to be reminded of a particular play, symbolizing a different mindset.
“I had a block?” the Charlotte Hornets star guard asked after Wednesday night’s 110-105 win against the Houston Rockets. “What did I block?”
After a brief clue was given, Ball flashed that megawatt toothy smile.
“Oh, jump shot!” Ball said. “Jump shot!”
Perhaps his memory was slightly foggy because it happened so early, coming exactly two minutes into the first meaningful game of the season. The sellout crowd at the Toyota Center hadn’t even completely filled in yet and Ball was making plays on the other end of the court, the one he hasn’t been known for since entering the league in 2020.
The 23-year-old is a walking triple-double, as evidenced by a 34-point, 11-assist, eight-rebound outing to begin his fifth season and first year of his max rookie extension, which could reach a top figure of $260 million if Ball hits certain incentives. He displayed fearlessness attacking the basket, playing under control and racking up 10 free throws, making all of them.
Becoming the fifth player in NBA history with 10 made field goals, 10 made free throws and 10 assists in a season opener — joining James Harden, Hal Greer, Isaiah Thomas and Bob Cousy — and passing Kemba Walker for the most games (five) with 30 points and double-digit assists in franchise history is what puts him in rare air when healthy.
That’s cool and all, but Ball digging in defensively with the kind of effort he had against the Rockets is what really has the Hornets salivating.
“Yeah, it helps when your best players play defense,” coach Charles Lee said. “Around the league, some of the better teams in the league, their best guys, they can play defense. You don’t have to call a time out at the end of the game, and have to sub them out and use your timeouts or anything like that.
“Him taking ownership of that side of the ball, I think just helps our team, sets an example for everyone one through 15 or 18 with your two-way guys. I’m just very proud and excited for him to continue to grow.”
Ball seems eager to change the narrative on his defense.
“Just pretty much competing,” Ball said, “trying to play both sides of the ball to help the team.”
And they’ve noticed.
“I told you, man, his defense got better — Melo’s defense got better,” Miles Bridges said. “He’s just paying attention to details and C. Lee is really bringing the best out of him on defense. He’s going to have a good year.
“If he’s guarding, then why can’t all of us guard? So, we just want to keep on having Melo lead by example, B. Mill (Brandon Miller) lead by example and have those guys spearhead us to the playoffs.”
This is the kind of play the Hornets envision for Ball, provided he can stay healthy. He’s battled ankle injuries and played in more than 36 games only once, coming during his All-Star campaign in 2021-22.
Now, he’s wearing ankle braces, something he wasn’t initially comfortable with a year ago. But after working closely with the Hornets’ new health and performance staff, he found a happy medium and has a pair that everyone associated with the organization hopes keeps Ball in uniform and not street clothes like he was for the final three months of 2023-24.
And his first regular-season game since January turned out rather well.
“It just shows the competitor that he is, the resilient person that he is,” Lee said. “I think all the injuries that he’s had to kind of go through, he has stayed consistent with his work ethic. I’m so happy that he was able to kind of showcase it. Because like I said, since I’ve gotten this job, since the first time we talked on the phone, he told me what he was going to be committed to.
“And he wants to be someone who earns the trust in his teammates and his coaches in terms of just coming into work every day, and wants to be a winner and wants to impact winning. And so I told him what I think is going to help us impact winning and I think that you saw (Wednesday), him implementing that with some of his defensive efforts, some of the multiple efforts that he made and then offensively playing with the pass and drive-in. And I’m just all-around excited for him again.”
The long-term ramifications could be exhilarating for the Hornets.
“It’s crazy, man,” Bridges said. “I just love playing with him. It’s just a joy to see him work every day. He did everything for us. If it wasn’t for him we would have lost by like, what 30? He had a great game. I’m happy for him.”
This story was originally published October 24, 2024 at 6:30 AM.
