LaMelo Ball is the reigning Rookie of the Year, impressing for the Charlotte Hornets after being drafted with the 3rd overall pick. Ball has a brilliant all-round game, and he has continued to improve this season. The Hornets have gone through their ups and downs in the first half of the season, something that happens to every young team, but Ball has impressed again nonetheless.
Ball is averaging 19.3 points, 7.4 rebound and 7.8 assists per game for the Hornets, who find themselves sitting in the 8th seed in the Eastern Conference, 1.5 games behind 6th placed Cleveland. With All-Star voting having begun, there have been calls for Ball to be names as an All-Star, considering that he leads his team in rebounds and assists, while being just 0.3 points behind Miles Bridges in points per game.
Melo’s teammate Kelly Oubre Jr. has backed the youngster to get his first All-Star nod as well, lauding his capabilities and describing him as someone who is All-Star caliber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4WflAYdYyo
“Man, he’s (LaMelo Ball) an All-Star caliber player. Each and every given night, he can go out there and impact the game in every column. It’s a testament to who he is as a player.”
“Oh for sure! (he is an All-Star player). I’m voting for him… He has my vote for sure! As he should have a lot other NBA players’ votes!”
After the first round of All-Star voting returns, LaMelo ranked 5th when it came to guards in the Eastern Conference. The fans clearly think that Melo belongs in the All-Star game, with the youngster sitting behind just DeMar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, James Harden and Trae Young.
Ball has an outside shot at being named an All-Star, competing with the likes of Cleveland’s Darius Garland and Toronto’s Fred Van Vleet. A few explosive performances will only help improve his case for the honor, and he did impress as his Hornets team beat the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q88o76I5lxY
