Before the 2020 NBA draft, it was believed that Michael Jordan wasn’t excited to have LaMelo Ball on his team, but days prior to the big event, he gave the ‘go-ahead’ to land the young point guard. Flash forward, we know that Melo is having a great season, helping his team to compete for a playoffs spot and becoming the clear favorite to win the 2021 Rookie of the Year award.
MJ can’t be happier about Ball’s performances this season, praising him during a recent interview with Associated Press. The Chicago Bulls legend has struggled to make his team a competitive one and this year things are finally changing for the Hornets. Jordan credited Ball for that, claiming he has exceeded the expectations the team had.
Rookie LaMelo Ball has seized the attention of the NBA this season with his highlight-reel passes and a surprising ability to score, including Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan.
The six-time NBA champion said when the Hornets selected Ball with the No. 3 overall pick they hoped the crafty 6-foot-6 point guard would eventually rise to the level of becoming an All-Star.
Jordan likes the way Ball is trending.
“I think Melo has adjusted to the NBA game better than any of us ever thought this early in his career,” Jordan told The Associated Press in an email. “He has exceeded our expectations so far this season.”
His Airness sensed the young guard could bring more attention to the Hornets and he wasn’t wrong with that. They’re not only playing better but turning a lot of heads to them with their good displays this campaign. MJ noted that he hopes these little changes turn into something bigger that takes more big names to go to Charlotte to join this franchise.
“Our goal is to build a consistent winner and have free agents look at our program, just like Gordon (Hayward) did this offseason,” Jordan said. “It’s not just about Melo. It’s about our group of young, talented players, our coaching staff and our entire Hornets organization. All of those factors, along with Charlotte being a great city, will make us become a destination.“
Things look very promising for this team and its star rookie. Melo has everything to be successful in this league although a lot of people doubted him before the draft. He has been named Rookie of the Month twice and recently was selected for the 2021 NBA Rising Stars game. The future is bright for him and he’s feeling himself every time he steps on the court.
