LaMelo Ball is one of the most entertaining players in the NBA.
LaMelo Ball has an All-NBA type bag with his ability to score and get his teammates involved.
Unfortunately, injuries have derailed Ball’s career. Ball has only played in more than 51 games once in his career.
However, coming into this season Ball is healthy and he’s looking to make a big impact with the Charlotte Hornets.
Photo by Katie DeVaney/Getty ImagesKendrick Perkins says Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaren Jackson Jr. are worse defenders than LaMelo Ball
For as talented as Ball is offensively, he does catch flack defensively.
While there has been progress, the next step is for him to maintain this level of defensive performance consistently over entire games.Â
Someone who is very critical is Kendrick Perkins, but he actually thinks Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaren Jackson Jr. are worse defenders than Ball.
“This is going to be one of those years where he needs to get them into the postseason.
“If they don’t, they need to sit down at the roundtable and work out if they need to part ways.
“But let’s live in the moment, we’re watching a box-office talented young man in LaMelo Ball.
“Here’s the thing, he has to be a better defender. Averaging a little bit over three fouls a game.
“The only two people who were worse than him were Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaren Jackson Jr.
“As a leader, as a franchise player you need to take ownership and defend.
“For him and the Hornets their relationship is on the clock. The East is wide open and they need to get in the playoffs, and it might be through the Play-In.
LaMelo Ball is trying to end the Charlotte Hornets playoff drought
The last time the Hornets made the playoffs was in the 2015–16 NBA season, when they were eliminated in the first round by the Miami Heat.
The Eastern Conference is weak this season so there’s a chance for a team like the Hornets to make a leap and compete for a Play-In spot.
The Hornets have a lot of good young talent including Ball. The Hornets also have Brandon Miller and added Kon Knueppel in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The opportunity is there for the Hornets to take a step forward and be competitive this season.