LaVar Ball says Michael Jordan and the Hornets should be starting LaMelo Ball instead of bringing his son off the bench.
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LaMelo Ball is averaging 11.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists. He’s shooting 40.4% from the field, 32.4% from beyond the arc, and 69.0% from the free-throw line. Ball is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year so far, and will only get better and more efficient with time.
There’s just something about the youngster’s game that screams ‘genius’. Ball has displayed an uncommonly high basketball IQ thus far. We initially thought that his main playmaking skill is on the fast break. But Ball has been amazing in halfcourt sets as well. LaMelo’s dominance means that Malik Monk – the high-flying guard – is practically out of the rotation now.
The Hornets have landed themselves a real franchise piece for the future. Ball may never be a hyper-efficient scorer or a volume scorer. But he’s definitely going to make his teammates a lot better. His composure, decision-making and ability to finish through traffic will only get better with time.
LaVar Ball on Michael Jordan and the Hornets benching LaMelo Ball
Although LaMelo has had a bench role thus far, he definitely isn’t going to be doing it for long. At some point, maybe even this season, James Borrego will try to get him into his starting lineup. Such has been the transcendent play of Ball, which we’ve already seen in flashes.
LaVar knows how competitive his sons are – something Michael Jordan is famous (or infamous) for:
“My thing is he ain’t happy with that, but he ain’t go show that. If I train you to be the best and always been starting all your life — here is what they don’t get. My boys are not freakin’ role players! They superstars! Let them do what they do!”
LaVar Ball says LaMelo is not happy with coming off the bench: ‘My boys are not freakin’ role players’ https://t.co/TiQjCeALbM
— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) January 23, 2021