Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle has an early Rookie of the Year pick, and it's not exactly a hot take: Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball.
Ahead of Dallas' matchup with Charlotte on Wednesday, Carlisle praised the 19-year old's performance through the first 11 games of his NBA career, as well as the natural “flare” and “energy” he brings to the floor, per Rick Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer.
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle says LaMelo Ball looks like Rookie of the Year right now. Says there is a "flare" and "energy" about Ball's play that is rare.
— Rick Bonnell (@rick_bonnell) January 13, 2021
It's not the first time Rick Carlisle has complimented the rookie's game in recent weeks. On Dec. 30, before of the first matchup between Dallas and Charlotte this season, the longtime head coach lauded the well-rounded nature of LaMelo Ball's game.
“He's energetic, extremely unselfish, and shoots it well,” Carlisle said of the Hornets youngster, per Mavs reporter Mark Followill. “Anybody that is as active as he is defensively & that is always looking to throw the ball ahead is going to help your team.”
Ball promptly validated Carlisle's scouting report in that late December game. In the first impactful performance of his young career, the smooth 6-foot-7 point guard posted 22 points, eight rebounds and five assists in a 118-99 Hornets blowout road win at the American Airlines Center. Ball shot 7-for-10 from the field, 4-for-5 from 3-point range, and 4-for-4 from the free-throw line in 29 minutes.
The no. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has impressed the entire league since making his Buzz City debut. Entering the rematch with Luka Doncic and the Mavs, Ball is averaging 12.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists in 25.3 minutes per game. The Hornets rookie made just 41.3 percent of his field goals, though his percentage from deep (35.3) is better than expected.
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