Because he had never played a full season of college or professional basketball entering the NBA, there were question marks hanging over LaMelo Ball and how he would transition to the NBA.
But halfway through his rookie season, the 20-year-old Ball has silenced all the doubters and earned a big fan in a guy named Michael Jordan.
“I think Melo has adjusted to the NBA game better than any of us ever thought this early in his career,” Jordan, the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, told The Associated Press in an email. “He has exceeded our expectations so far this season.”
The No. 3 overall pick in last year’s NBA Draft, Ball leads all rookies in points (15.8), assists (6.3), rebounds (6) and steals (1.6) per game.
Per ESPN, Ball is in some heady company. Every other rookie to lead the NBA in points, rebounds and assists at the All-Star break has won Rookie of the Year honors:
Alvan Adams, 1975-76
Oscar Robertson, 1960-61
Wilt Chamberlain, 1959-60
Elgin Baylor, 1958-59
Bob Pettit, 1954-55
“Right now, with the way things look, he looks like NBA rookie of the year to me,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s getting it done statistically, their team is winning. He’s got energy, he’s got a vibe, he’s got swagger. If you like watching players that play with flair, he’s right up there.”
Perhaps most importantly, the Hornets, who have made just three playoff appearances since Jordan became the majority owner in 2010, are 17-18 entering the All-Star break, just a game behind the fourth place Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. The last time Charlotte won a playoffs series was in 2002, when Jordan was still an active player.
Now Ball has Jordan and the Hornets dreaming of more postseason success.
“He’ll be here for a long time, you guys will be talking about Melo for a long time,” Carmelo Anthony told reporters.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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March 07, 2021 at 07:45PM
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Michael Jordan Says NBA Rookie Of The Year Favorite LaMelo Ball Has ‘Exceeded Our Expectations’ - Forbes
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