Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets haven’t been the greatest model of success these past few years. Mired in mediocrity and irrelevance, the Hornets were in desperate need of a spark.
With their pickup up LaMelo Ball in the 2020 draft, that’s exactly what they got.
As a player, Melo is extremely flashy as a scorer and playmaker. Off the court, he oozes a level of confidence and swagger akin to a star who’s been playing for years.
Of course, when you discuss any of the Ball brothers, their father, LaVar, is going to be relevant. Speaking on “Club Shay Shay,” the infamous basketball dad made a number of his usually bold statements, including a promise that his three sons could deliver a Chip if they played together in Charlotte.
.@Lavarbigballer has a big guarantee for Michael Jordan and the Charlotte Hornets:
"With Melo, you gon' be good, bring in Gelo, you gon' be better, bring in Lonzo, I guarantee you’ll win a championship and make MJ the baddest owner ever.” pic.twitter.com/IKqCjYSAPo
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) November 24, 2020
LaMelo dominated the NBL in Australia, averaging 17 points per game as a teenager out of High School. He will bring his talented offensive arsenal to Charlotte, where he hopes to become their next franchise star.
LiAngelo, the middle son, is currently a member of the Oklahoma City Blue, the G-League affiliate of the Thunder. Unfortunately, the COVID shutdowns robbed him of his debut with the franchise, and it’s unknown if he’ll ever make his way to the NBA.
Finally, there’s Lonzo. With the most NBA experience, it’s fair to say Zo is (as things stand now) the best player out of the three siblings. As a guard for the New Orleans Pelicans, he is seen as part of their young core and has shown he can shine on both ends of the floor.
Even with their collective talents, it’s unlikely the Hornets could win a Chip led mostly by the Ball family. While acquiring LaMelo was a great start, they will need to bring in more if they want to earn standing in the East.
But, who knows, maybe the acquisition of LaMelo was the beginning of a new road for Charlotte — one that could result in some rewarding circumstances.
