Despite not being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, LaMelo Ball started his professional career with unprecedented hype. Joining a franchise that had made its last appearance in the playoffs in 2016, Ball was envisioned as the franchise-altering player after he signed a 5-year,$203 million rookie deal with the Charlotte Hornets .
However, after getting off to the right start, winning the ROY award over Ant-Man, and logging his first All-Star nod in the sophomore campaign, the 6'7" guard has featured in merely 48 games in the last two seasons.
This apparent lack of commitment to the team and his injury-related absence have irked NBA Insider Tim MacMohan, who blatantly criticized the 23-year-old for occupying the franchise's 25% salary cap space but failing to exert maximum effort.
Tim MacMohan on LaMelo Ball underperforming
While the No. 1 pick of the 2020 draft class, Anthony Edwards, has gone on to establish himself as the most entertaining modern-day player, drawing comparisons to Michael Jordan courtesy of his leadership for the Timberwolves. Even players such as Tyrese Haliburton and Tyrese Maxey, who were selected 12th and 21st overall in the same draft class, have also ascended to All-Star status through sheer hard work.
While the mentioned players, along with others like Desmond Bane, have consistently performed and been available for their respective teams, MacMohan expressed his disapproval of LaMelo's perceived nonchalance. Moreover, he criticized the one-time All-Star for what he views as an overly casual approach to his professional responsibilities.
"I don't know that LaMelo Ball can play winning basketball. I don't know if LaMelo Ball can be the franchise player on a winner because he's got a pretty empty calories game, right?" MacMohan asked . "The man can fill up a box score, but his efficiency. Even despite the fact that he's shot the 3 pretty well, his efficiency is garbage. His defense is horrific. I don't see a lot of evidence that the guy considers winning to be a priority."
Does LaMelo warrant this criticism?
There is no doubt that LaMelo possesses a significant advantage in height and speed over other point guards. However, his field goal efficiency (42.7%) over the past four years raises concerns, as do his half-hearted defensive efforts and leadership on the court.
While some argue that the California native has not been provided with adequate and reliable support from the franchise to elevate the Hornets to the next level, and they are correct, his upcoming salary of over $35 million next season warrants that Ball must give greater effort for his team, even in challenging circumstances.
Throughout the tears, many players have single-handedly salvaged a sinking ship, and given Melo's skillset and talent, he certainly fits into this category. This is perhaps why Tim might be irked to rub Melo in the wrong way to only motivate him to maximize his potential.
Related: "Better than any of us thought" - Michael Jordan praised rookie LaMelo Ball following Hornets start
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