LaMelo Ball has been nothing short of spectacular in his young career for the Charlotte Hornets. He is still in his first season in the NBA, but has the innate ability to get his teammates involved and find his own shot. Ball is already one of the best playmakers in the league and is a lock to claim the Rookie of The Year Award at the conclusion of the campaign.
He is also just the sixth player in NBA history to lead all rookies in points, rebounds, and assists at the All-Star break. The sky is the limit for LaMelo Ball, but there are things he can improve on as a young player in the league. Fortunately for him, there are several players in today's game and some former ones that can offer wisdom. Here are the best five for Ball to choose from.
Penny Hardaway
LaMelo and Penny have very similar body types and games. Hardaway was an electrifying guard before injuries robbed him of destroying the league. Hardaway is 6'7 and also excelled at shredding defenses with his playmaking and scoring abilities. His decision-making was some of the best we have seen from a taller point guard.
LaMelo Ball should pick his brain and soak up as much information as possible because Hardaway might be the best possibly NBA comparison for LaMelo. Knowing when to attack the rack, pull up for a jumper, or just find the open teammate, Hardaway will be able to help unlock more doors for Ball. The only thing Hardaway might not be able to show him is how to posterize seven-footers consistently. Athleticism is the one department he might not be able to help Ball in.
Michael Jordan
This one should be a no-brainer. Jordan is recognized as the greatest of all time, but is also Ball's boss. Out of everyone on this list, Jordan will likely be the most accessible person for Ball to train with, whether it be in the off-season, or even during the season. Jordan could help improve Ball's shot selection on the floor. Even though Ball is averaging 20 points as a starter, the shots that he takes are not exactly high percentage, unless it is an easy layup at the basket.
Jordan made a living by dominating spots on the floor where he felt best at and by refining moves and crossovers to get there. Helping LaMelo find out where he is most comfortable on the floor would be easy for the best shot creator to ever lace them up. Of course, Jordan thrived in the mid-range, but he would have no issues showing Ball things from behind the arc as well since the NBA is a three-point shooting league now.
LeBron James
Again, another no-brainer. James is also regarded as the GOAT and is the epitome of playing the game of basketball the right way. Even at age 36, James can still do whatever he wants on the court. From scoring, passing, rebounding, or even playing elite defense, he is the ultimate Swiss Army knife.
LaMelo Ball seems to be on the right track to be that player that can lead his team in every statistical category possible. Just imagine the type of advice that James would be able to bless Ball with. James is most likely the greatest at getting the best out of his teammates, as we witnessed him drag teams to the NBA Finals that did not have any business being there in the first place, like the 2007 and 2018 Cavaliers. James is just that talented and Ball has a lot of similarities to James' play style. That would be a match made in heaven for Ball.
Stephen Curry
In this day and age, being able to shoot is a necessity for the average NBA player. Ball is a better shooter than we give him credit for, but he can definitely improve. Enter Chef Curry, the best shooter of all-time. Ball has already voiced before he was drafted that he would not change his jumper because it has gotten him this far, but it interesting to think Curry might be able to help him tweak it and make the shot more effective.
Also, Curry is adept at coming off of screens and finding open shots. He will be able to help LaMelo Ball improve his shooting percentages in catch-and-shoot situations. It would not be a surprise if we start seeing Ball take shots from the parking lot by the end of the summer.
Magic Johnson
It seemed appropriate to save the best point guard of all-time for last. Magic is fifth in assists all-time with 10,141, so it is safe to assume he knows a thing or two about getting his teammates involved. Being a 6'9 point guard is not exactly something everyone can relate to. Having that kind of size makes it easier to see the floor and Ball has proven he can do that fairly well midway through his first season.
However, Magic can also show LaMelo Ball how to use his size mismatch on other point guards to take find different ways to score and garner double teams so that he will be able to find that open man. Ball may not have the size that Magic had, but he will fill out the rest of his body as he grows. He could also still grow upwards, considering the Hornets rookie is just 19-years old.
Another major thing for Ball to focus on going into the offseason would be for him to hit the gym hard. Some teams have made it a mission to try and expose Ball on the defensive side of the Ball despite his 6'7 frame. If he is able to put on some weight, Ball would be an even bigger problem to contend with, literally.
All the names mentioned above can help Ball in a multitude of ways. They are all Hall of Famers and put fear in defenders on a nightly basis. Hopefully, we can see Ball work out with at least one of the names on this list.
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