LaMelo Ball has been on a great run lately, leading the Charlotte Hornets to win after win in the last few weeks.
After the win vs New York, Charlotte improved to 40-37 and clinched a spot in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament. The victory moved Charlotte within a half-game of Brooklyn for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference play-in race. The Hornets lost to Indiana in last year’s play-in tournament.
Ball had 20 points and 15 assists as he was once again a power to reckon as the playmaker of the Hornets, which had 39 assists on 49 of their made baskets. Charlotte is the second-best team in the NBA considering their assists per game (27.8). They are also third in assist percentage (65.3), fourth in assist ratio (19.4) and third in AST/TO ratio (2.11).
Ball has been nothing but dominant in his sophomore season, averaging 20.0 points, 7.5 assists and 6.7 rebounds on 42/37/86 shooting splits. During March, his numbers are up to 22.2 points, 9.0 assists and 5.4 rebounds through 10 games.
The Hornets went 8-2 during that stint, with Ball shooting 46 percent from the field and an astonishing 44.1 percent from beyond the arc on 9.3 attempts per game. Ball became a first-time All-Star this season and improved his game rapidly.
In a recent interview with Slam Magazine, the sophomore guard admitted he feels ready to take the keys and lead the Hornets as the franchise centerpiece of the team. The Hornets have improved as a team in general, with Miles Bridges also having a career season and leading the team in scoring.
“When they really put them keys in my hand, I feel like it’s gonna be a whole new situation. But until then, I’m gonna keep doing what I need to do, just try to get these wins,” Ball said, via Slam Online. “I ain’t gonna lie, every game I feel like I can do more than what I’m doing. It’s just [about] reading the whole game and reading the whole situation.”
The Hornets are great in creating shots and scoring opportunities. As a result, they have seven players scoring in double-digits. Ball and Bridges are leading the team with 20.0 and 20.3 points per, respectively. Ball also claimed Charlotte is one move away from moving to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference.
“This year hopefully we get in the playoffs, win a first round, something like that. Just keep going up from there. I just feel we’re like a big away. One that can clog up the whole paint, rebound,” Ball stated.
As a young team, the Hornets have the ability to improve and get in the upper part of the East next season. This year, the team will play for its place in the postseason, possibly facing the Atlanta Hawks if they were to remain at the no.9 of the Eastern Conference.
Kommentare