“LaMelo Ball is the player we were promised Lonzo Ball would be”: Stephen A. Smith takes shots at Pelicans star while praising Melo

Stephen A. Smith says that LaMelo Ball is the player we thought Lonzo Ball was going to become upon arriving in the league. 

Ever since the start of the 2020-21 NBA campaign, LaMelo Ball has been front and center on nearly every single basketball highlights page.

The hype around the youngest Ball brother has reached an all-time high, and rightfully so. Melo is one of the flashiest players in the league and is already one of the best passers in the league. 

Ever since he snagged the starting spot in the Hornets lineup, LaMelo has been averaging 20,6, and 6. the only other rookie to average that statline over the course of their rookie season was the Big O, Oscar Robertson.

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Amidst the Showtime passes and deep threes, a certain ability of LaMelo Ball’s has been lauded above all else: his confidence. 

Stephen A. Smith says LaMelo Ball is the player we expected Lonzo Ball to be 

Following LaMelo’s stellar month of February, Stephen A. Smith takes to Twitter to let everybody know what his thoughts are on the former Chino Hills freshman. “LaMelo Ball is the player we were promised Lonzo Ball would be.” 

This is of course a bold statement considering the fact that Lonzo Ball has been having a solid season for the New Orleans Pelicans. He’s averaging career highs in points per game and 3PT% at 14.5 points and 40%, respectively.

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Smith’s assessment of LaMelo’s confidence is spot on as he has proven that he isn’t afraid to let it fly from beyond the arc, averaging 5.2 attempts from 3 point range.

However, Lonzo Ball has been averaging more attempts from 3 point land this season at 7.7 as he’s finally been able to come out of his shell and put more confidence in his shot. 

LaMelo Ball has been playing like the definitive Rookie of the Year, make no mistake about it. However, discrediting Lonzo Ball’s significant improvements from the previous seasons isn’t a fair ‘analogy’ to use when trying to sing the Hornet rookie’s praise.