“We coming in the season to do what?” – Baron Davis challenges LaMelo Ball to decide what kind of player and leads the Hornets originally appeared on Basketball Network.
LaMelo Ball possesses all the attributes of a bona fide NBA superstar. Standing 6’7″, he combines exceptional court vision and passing ability with amazing ball-handling, creative shot-making, and undeniable charisma. However, questions remain about his development and long-term trajectory like any rising talent.
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One of the biggest concerns for LaMelo’s career is his direction with the Charlotte Hornets. Drafted third overall in 2020, Ball got his career off to a strong start, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Then, the following season, he became an All-Star as the Hornets improved by 10 wins and finished with a 43-39 record.
However, since that time, LaMelo has found himself in basketball limbo. He’s been sidelined with numerous injuries that have limited him to only 105 games in the last three seasons. Additionally, although his scoring has risen, his efficiency has dipped to a dismal 41 percent. The Hornets haven’t done well, either, winning just 67 games during that period.
As he prepares for his sixth season, former Hornets All-Star Baron Davis emphasized that it’s time for LaMelo Ball to deliver. He highlighted the importance of providing LaMelo with a clear organizational direction, which will be crucial for his growth and continued development.
The Hornets need some accountability and direction
Charlotte has not made the playoffs since 2016, and Davis asserted that if they want to change their fortunes anytime soon, it all starts with installing a culture of accountability within the team and a clear plan for where they want to be in the next few seasons.
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Do they want to make the postseason? Or are they content with tanking season after season in the hope of landing a young superstar in the draft? These are questions that need to be answered for the team to move forward.
“When you’re looking at the Hornets’ roster, you got to pick a direction. You got to choose a direction because LaMelo needs stability around them,” Baron said on Paul George’s podcast. “You can’t have a bunch of young dudes, right, flying — you know, flying around. Like, we’ve seen that in NBA history. Yes, the talent is gonna be great. It’s going to be exciting for fans.”
The Hornets’ performance last season painted a grim picture, as they ranked last in both points scored and scoring efficiency. Shooting just 43% from the field and averaging a mere 105.1 points per game, their offensive struggles were evident throughout the year. This means there were a whole lot of ill-advised shots thrown at the rim all season long, something that undoubtedly contributed to their dismal record.
“When you trying to win, you got to have some people that stabilize the consistency every day,” Baron harped. “‘Cause like, LaMelo can have a great game, Miles Bridges have a great game, they both have a great game, but like, who going to stabilize you the next game? I think they don’t have, to me, the right mix of veterans, good players, you know, you know what I’m saying?”
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LaMelo also needs to decide what he wants to be
While Hornets veteran Taj Gibson has vouched for LaMelo’s desire to be more than just a flashy player in the NBA, Baron said he must first identify what he wants to be known for in the league. Does he want to be a scorer? Does he want to facilitate? Does he want to be just popular?
“For somebody as talented as LaMelo, because what is his direction? We coming in the season to do what?” Davis said. “LaMelo need to have like a goal going into the season. And to be the top point guard coming out at the end of the season and say, ‘I’m gonna play 82 games or whatnot and I’m gonna get my team to the playoffs.'”
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Ball has all the tools to be up there with the likes of Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton — players who began as walking highlight reels and have since evolved into players who make winning plays. However, he must start using those tools and demonstrating consistency on the court that translates into wins for the Hornets.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 16, 2025, where it first appeared.