Draymond Green says that both his mom and Michael Jordan were right about LaMelo Ball, breaks down why he is so good.
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It’s safe to say that LaMelo Ball has gone above and beyond to prove that he is everything that he was hyped up to be, and more. Ball is only the 6th rookie in NBA history to lead all rookies in total points, assists, rebounds, and steals at the All-Star Break.
He could have been the first to lead all rookies in all 5 statistical categories if it wasn’t for Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart totaling more blocks than him.
Lamelo Ball is the current frontrunner for snagging Rookie of the Year honors and it’s beginning to feel like it’s not even close. He’s averaging 15.8 points, 6 rebounds, and 6.3 assists per game on the season, all while helping the Hornets get into the Playoff race.
LaMelo’s unprecedented popularity from when he was a freshman to his time with the Illawara Hawks of the NBL had NBA players such as Draymond Green ponder over his ability to translate his skills to the league.
Draymond Green admits that his mom was right about LaMelo Ball being a great prospect
In a recent episode of First Take, Draymond Green sat down to discuss how LaMelo Ball and other rookies around the league have fared in the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season.
Draymond spoke glowingly about Ball, but not without shouting out his mom for predicting his success in the NBA long before Green did.
Draymond Green on LaMelo Ball:
“LaMelo is a problem! … MJ got this one right.” pic.twitter.com/wWU8cuRv1U
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 10, 2021
He also gave Michael Jordan his props for drafting LaMelo Ball. Ball is perhaps the most talented rookie in Hornets history, which isn’t a high bar to cross but it speaks to MJ’s improvement as a talent-finder.
Green would eventually say that he’s still rocking with the Warriors’ own James Wiseman, who has shown flashes of being a dominant big man in this league.