“I would take LaMelo Ball over Ja Morant and Trae Young”: Kevin O’Connor controversially values Ball brother over other young point guards

Kevin O’Connor says that he would take LaMelo Ball over guys like Ja Morant and Trae Young, but gives Luka and Zion the edge over him. 

LaMelo Ball has been taking over the NBA by storm and he’s only suited up for 30 or so games in his professional career with the Charlotte Hornets. The rookie has been garnering praise from personalities all across the league such as Steph Curry and Draymond Green: and for good reason too. 

After having head coach James Borrego call him out to the media on his lack of defensive effort and careless turnovers, LaMelo turned it up a notch. He’s now averaging 15.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game, while leading all rookies in these three statistics, along with total steals at the All-Star break. This makes him the first rookie in NBA history to accomplish such a feat. 

Also Read: Is James Wiseman playing tonight vs Clippers? Warriors release injury report for their marquee clash with Kawhi Leonard and co

The praise does not end with merely players giving Ball his props as NBA analysts continue to rave about him as the second half of the season commences. 

Kevin O’Connor compares LaMelo Ball to other young stars across the league. 

The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor took his podcast segment, ‘NBA Ringer University’ alongside J. Kyle Mann and Jonathon Tjarks to discuss the best young players in the league, heading into the second half of the season. KOC was adamant in letting listeners know that he is in fact a big fan of the Hornets rookie. 

🚨New podcast with @JonathanTjarks and @jkylemann breaking down LaMelo Ball and the Hornets, plus we analyze draft prospect Jalen Green and give midterm grades for a whole bunch of young players.

Spotify: https://t.co/Dqx7Q2SRBM

Apple: https://t.co/LqXKyhlF7K

🏀🏫🏀 pic.twitter.com/zGBxlvLY31

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 10, 2021

“If you’re looking at players who are 23 and under, right now Luka, Zion, and Tatum are the only ones I would take over LaMelo. Besides them, I would take LaMelo Ball over Ja Morant and Trae Young.” 

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In all fairness, Kevin O’Connor was referring to who he would prefer when it comes to upside and potential. Of course, if you were to compare the point guards at this very moment, Ja and Trae are better players than LaMelo. However, an argument could be made between who’s better right now between Trae and LaMelo. The argument against Young would have to be his abysmal defense. 

The trio then continued to gawk over the hypothetical of the Warriors drafting LaMelo with the 2nd overall pick, instead of Wiseman, claiming the Splash Bros alongside Ball would change the NBA’s landscape as we know it. 

Chris Vernon will certainly have a few words to say to KOC on his ‘jab’ at Memphis franchise star, Ja Morant .