Is LaMelo Ball making the leap to NBA stardom right before our eyes?
Through the first three years of his career, LaMelo Ball emerged as one of the most polarizing young players in the league. For some, probably most of which were located in the Charlotte area, Ball was considered a budding star. For others, he was viewed as someone who benefited from being a high-usage player. Quite frankly, there was not much in between those opinions.
And through the first few games of the season, the latter was more right than the former. However, there's been an encouraging trend for Ball over the last couple of weeks. So much to say that he may be finally making the turn to stardom in the league.
During the first three games of the season, Ball averaged just 14 points, nine assists, and six rebounds on 25 percent shooting from the field and an equally bad 25 percent shooting from 3-point range. However, over the past 11 games, Ball has looked like a completely different player.
In the past 11 games, Ball is averaging 29 points, nine assists, and six rebounds on 48 percent shooting from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range. The question is, is this more of a hot stretch or a trend of what's to come for the remainder of the season?
Why this could indicate LaMelo Ball making the jump to stardom
What you have to like most about Ball's recent play is his efficiency level. That's something that has been missing for the majority of his career. Through the first three years of his career, Ball has never shot over 43 percent from the field or 38 percent from 3-point range. That's a big reason why most have considered him to be a volume player.
Quite frankly, that rarely equates to winning basketball. And that's been the biggest knock on Ball through the first few years of his career. Even with this recent tear from Ball, the Hornets are just 4-7. It's very much still in question.
While it's impossible to say one way or another if the last few weeks have been a star turn from Ball or if it's just hot basketball, there's no question that there are some encouraging signs in his game that are beginning to pierce through - with more efficiency being one of them.
The Hornets still have a ton of questions that need to be answered this season and Ball is likely near the top of that list. Even though the Hornets haven't solved their losing problem, Ball has shown some signs of possible break through as the league's next young star.