The Charlotte Hornets are in the middle of a tough stretch right now, but if there’s one bright spot in the Queen City, it’s LaMelo Ball. Despite the team’s struggles, the 24-year-old guard continues to showcase his unique blend of skill, vision, and flair.
He’s averaging 19.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game - numbers that speak to his all-around impact. But according to head coach Charles Lee, the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
Lee recently praised Ball for something that doesn’t always make the highlight reels: his defensive effort. And that’s where things get really interesting.
“Regardless of the shooting numbers, he continued to scrap and claw defensively. His engagement there was really good,” Lee said, highlighting Ball’s commitment to staying locked in on both ends of the floor. “For the most part, he continued to try to play through it and not let his shot-making, or shot-missing, dictate the energy he was gonna give to the game, and try to impact the game in other ways.”
That’s the kind of growth you want to see from a franchise cornerstone. It’s easy to stay motivated when the shots are falling.
But when they’re not, and you still bring the energy, still fight on defense, still crash the offensive glass - that’s leadership. That’s maturity.
That’s the kind of stuff coaches love, and teammates rally around.
But even with that praise, Ball’s recent outing against the Cavaliers was far from his best. He finished with just 2 points in 22 minutes - a rare off night for a player of his caliber. And while every star has games like that, this one came with a bit of added weight.
There’s been growing tension behind the scenes in Charlotte, and it’s starting to spill onto the court. For the first time since January 2020, Ball didn’t start in a game - this time against the Indiana Pacers. That’s a significant development for a player who’s been the face of the franchise since being drafted third overall in 2020.
Analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold back when weighing in on the situation. “It’s smoke over there,” he said.
“LaMelo, look, the Hornets are going to have to make a decision. It’s either trade LaMelo or fire the coach.
Those two guys don’t see eye to eye. I’m telling you straight up, this is a fact.
The energy is not there. The coach, he feels as if LaMelo is not his guy.”
That’s a bold statement, but it echoes what many around the league are starting to sense - a disconnect between the star player and the coaching staff. Whether it’s philosophical differences, communication breakdowns, or just clashing styles, something isn’t clicking. And when that happens, it often leads to tough decisions at the organizational level.
For now, the Hornets are trying to find their footing in a season that’s already full of questions. Ball remains one of the most talented young guards in the league - a dynamic playmaker who can shift the momentum of a game in an instant.
But the bigger question might not be about his stats or his shooting nights. It’s about his future in Charlotte.
Will the Hornets double down on their star and build around him? Or is a change of scenery looming? Either way, all eyes are on LaMelo - not just for what he does on the court, but for what comes next.