When the Charlotte Hornets picked up LaMelo Ball with the 3rd overall pick, nobody was quite sure what to expect. Amid many questions and countless doubts, however, LaMelo is proving to be everything Charlotte had hoped.
Before his mid-season injury, the young guard was in the lead for Rookie of the Year, and is quickly transforming the Hornets to be a team on the rise in the East.
According to team GM Mitch Kupchak, Michael Jordan himself may have something to do with Ball’s development, as he’s been in contact with the young star since the beginning.
“He was at our game [Saturday] night, but because of the testing requirements, he couldn’t even get down to the locker room and say hello to anybody. But they did talk, and I know Michael gives him tips. I would guess that when we emerge from this COVID world, Michael will spend time with him on the court, but I don’t know that [for sure].”
Apparently, MJ makes sure not to interfere but makes his presence known to the team throughout the year.
“Michael lives in Florida; he’s up here quite a bit. He loves to come to practice and watch, he doesn’t interfere with the coaches. He doesn’t know what the coaches are teaching, so he doesn’t want to get on the court and teach something different. But I know he and LaMelo talk and text all the time.”
As one of the greatest players to ever touch a basketball, Jordan certainly has a lot of wisdom to impart on his team, and it’s good to know he is sharing some of it with them.
It’s no secret that Charlotte has been rather lackluster in recent years. Thanks to their underwhelming history and small-market location, they haven’t been able to attract much star-power.
But with young guys like LaMelo, Malik Monk, Devonte Graham, and P.J. Washington, they’ve got a solid future and a whole lot to look forward to.
It will be interesting to see how it all comes together.
