LaMelo Ball entered the NBA with a reputation similar to his older brother Lonzo’s. He’s already a transcendent passer at the age of 19, but the rest of his offensive game wants work. Each had been true in his preseason opener towards the Toronto Raptors, as Ball missed all eight of his shot attempts, 5 from the field and three from the line, but made up for it with some of the most dazzling passes you’ll ever see out of a rookie.
The play of the night was a behind-the-back gem in transition that led to 2 easy Miles Bridges points.
.@MELOD1P is on another level‼️#AllFly | @HornetsOnFSSE pic.twitter.com/ejICwisNNu
— Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) December 13, 2020
The difference between LaMelo and Lonzo at this stage of their careers, although, is that Lonzo’s finest passing work comes virtually exclusively in transition, whereas LaMelo is a more advanced half-court creator, utilizing his superior size and ending ability to draw defenders away from teammates.
Tough take.
Cradle.
Behind the back dime.LaMelo Ball making PLAYS for the @hornets! pic.twitter.com/EZq56OASiq
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2020
That mixture is what made him the No. 3 picks in the NBA Draft. The half-court passing has extra purposeful utility, but his “blink-and-you’ll miss them” outlet passes practically create free factors.
The preseason qualifier needs to be attached. It will be far tougher for Ball to do that when offenses play him as a passer as a substitute of a scorer. As Lonzo has discovered, it is a lot more durable to arrange teammates whenever you’re going scoreless your self. But LaMelo’s imaginative and prescient and creativity at his age are tantalizing. He has the potential to grow to be the very best passer within the NBA. He’ll simply have to develop the rest of his recreation to take advantage of that.
Read also-Florida Gators star Keyontae Johnson collapses on court, in critical but stable condition
