After a promising start to the 2021-22 NBA season, the Charlotte Hornets are going through a poor run of form. They have lost their last four games and, as a result, have a record of 5-6. This is even more surprising when they have a promising young star in LaMelo Ball.
Ball is having a good season, but there is still something many fans cannot seem to understand. Despite being arguably the best player on the team, Ball is averaging 30. 4 minutes per game. Considering he is just getting started in the league, he can certainly average more minutes.
This was clearer than ever in the Hornets’ defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers. At the start of the fourth quarter, the Hornets had a comfortable lead over the Clippers. As a result, Charlotte’s head coach benched Ball to get him his routine rest.
But following Ball’s return to the bench, the Clippers went on a huge 22-0 run and changed the tide of the game in their favor. When Ball returned to the court, it was already too late for the team.
Following the defeat, Ball addressed the issue in the post-game conference. In fact, it felt like the 20-year-old called out his head coach.
“I feel like I’ve got to be in there longer for the fourth quarter, you feel me? I feel like I came in a little late in the game.”
After Hornets concede 22-0 fourth quarter run in loss to Clippers, LaMelo Ball: “I feel like I’ve got to be in there longer for the fourth quarter, you feel me? I feel like I came in a little late in the game.” pic.twitter.com/1F1pbnilZR
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) November 8, 2021
As Ball mentioned, if he had been brought back to the court a bit sooner, maybe he could have put an end to the Clippers’ run by scoring on the other end of the court.
But what’s done is done. The Hornets head coach made the call and the team arguably paid the price for it. Hopefully, it will be a learning moment for the entire team.
The season is now in full flow and losing four games consecutively is something any team wants to avoid. Moreover, with the Hornets targeting a playoff berth this season, they need to be extra careful.
After all, this year it seems like the Eastern Conference has a lot of dark horses, which might surprise fans come playoff time.
