-
Follow Us
On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Michael Jordan has been targeting a point guard since yet another down season for the Charlotte Hornets came to an end back in March. He now has that player in the form of the talented LaMelo Ball.
Selecting No. 3 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft Wednesday evening, Charlotte picked up the youngest of the Ball brothers to team up with fellow guards Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham.
Ball, 19, is seen as an elite-level passer who can knock it down from the perimeter. There was some speculation that he might slide down the draft board due to less-than-stellar interviews with teams. That obviously didn’t happen. Talent won out here.
Those watching the NBA Draft Wednesday evening had their reactions to this momentous news for Jordan and the Hornets’ organization.
Lonzo and LaMelo Ball are the first pair of brothers ever to each be drafted in the Top-5 of the NBA Draft. h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/o0lGkcFnoK
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 19, 2020
Give this man his flowers for being an exceptional father!
— BLACK ADAM SCHEFTER (@B1ackSchefter) November 19, 2020
Lonzo Ball – Drafted No. 2 overall in 2017
LiAngelo Ball – NBA G-League
LaMelo Ball – Drafted No. 3 overall in 2020 pic.twitter.com/YgrHegLxZs
live look at lamelo ball’s first practice pic.twitter.com/xtJM2h3hKI
— ✧ (@WisemanMVP) November 19, 2020
Malik monk when he sees lamelo ball land in Charlotte pic.twitter.com/9B7Flizxec
— John (@iam_johnw) November 19, 2020
If I could pour just two or three ounces of Michael Jordan's killer will in LaMelo Ball, the kid would one day win an MVP and carry Charlotte to an NBA Finals. At 6-7, LaMelo is that gifted as a passer and creative scorer.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 19, 2020
LaMelo Ball's INSANE Sophomore Season Mixtape
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) November 19, 2020Chino Hills Legend! @MeloD1P pic.twitter.com/YZNF4NpdDW
LaMelo Ball is the 3rd pick to the Charlotte Hornets.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 19, 2020
– 1st NBL player with consecutive triple-doubles in 40-minute era (since 2009-10)
– Scored 92 points in a game in high school at Chino Hills
– Father, LaVar, was on the Carolina Panthers practice squad (never played a game) pic.twitter.com/4jNZDO4Sik
Lavar Ball in March 2017: "Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one."
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 19, 2020
November 2020: Michael Jordan-owned Charlotte Hornets draft LaMelo Ball. pic.twitter.com/fieIgOEQY1
Lavar ball and Jordan in the Charlotte hornets facility next week pic.twitter.com/IDJcvfx0Y4
— John (@iam_johnw) November 19, 2020
LaMelo Ball has a big fan in Hornets owner Michael Jordan and, as reported in yesterday's @nytimes On Basketball newsletter (linked below), Charlotte landing Ball with the No. 3 pick likely takes the Hornets off the board as a Russell Westbrook trade suitor https://t.co/IRkaLS5Rx4
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) November 19, 2020
How will LaMelo Ball look with the Hornets?
Ball now gets to learn from the greatest player of all time in Hornets owner Jordan. If Ball takes to Jordan’s leadership, the sky is obviously the limit here. Of course, this depends on Charlotte not moving Ball in a trade. Charlotte is said to be interested in fellow point guard and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook.
If Ball does remain a member of the Hornets, questions will be raised about whether Graham or Rozier could be traded. At the very least, Malik Monk’s time appears to be up in Charlotte. He’s been pretty much a bust since the Hornets made him a top-11 pick back in 2017.
One thing we do know is that LaMelo Ball should succeed out of the gate. He has the size and pro-ready skill set to make an impact immediately. In fact, Ball should right now be considered the top NBA Rookie of the Year candidate. That’s for sure.
More must-reads:
- Hornets draft LaMelo Ball with No. 3 pick
- Lonzo Ball was really tucked away at LaMelo Ball’s draft party
- The '1996-97 Charlotte Hornets' quiz
Breaking News
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
