LaMelo Ball episode proves NBA youngsters need better media training

The "LaMelo Ball has no filter" joke will be funny until it's not.

On Saturday, the Hornets star used an anti-gay slur on live television while speaking about his team's decision to "load up" on defense during a 115-114 victory over the Bucks. 

The guard was fined $100,000 for comments the NBA deemed "offensive and derogatory" on Sunday.  

Ball's latest gaffe comes just weeks after he dropped several expletives while speaking of his favorite Thanksgiving meals. He also used an expletive while praising former Hornet Kemba Walker for mentoring him through the young season. That's not all — he used a racial slur during his appearance on "WWE Raw" in 2017.

There's little doubt that Ball is a superstar player with an incredibly bright future. He's fifth in the league in scoring thus far (29.7 PPG) and has single-handedly brought hope to a Hornets franchise that hasn't been relevant since the early 2000s. 

However, his periodic potty mouth is a bad representation of a league enjoyed by millions of impressionable children. Ball apologized for his crude comments on Sunday.  

"Before we get started, I just want to address the comment yesterday," Ball said on Sunday, via ESPN. "I really didn't mean anything [by it] and don't want to offend anybody. I've got love for everybody, and I don't discriminate."

Meanwhile, Hornets head coach Charles Lee said Ball is determined to learn from his behavior. 

"As an organization, that is obviously not something we condone," Lee said, via ESPN. "Our standards and what is required of our players in the environment we create is really important to us. I spoke to Melo and he's obviously very apologetic. From what I've seen since I've been around him, he loves everyone. He's a joy to have around the facility and it's not typically how he operates. He and I talked about the seriousness of the situation and how he needs to conduct himself going forward."

Former NBA forward Evan Turner believes some athletes need better media training. While he didn't directly reference Ball, he sent out a few tweets Sunday that hinted at the Hornets guard.