LaMelo Ball renews spark in Hornets, much to Michael Jordan's delight

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Just inside a mixed-use development near the Billy Graham Parkway where babies are strolled and coffee is sipped, there is a small stone marker with a familiar sight preserved in bronze on the facade, providing a clue to what this place was before the developers arrived.

This was once the site of the old Charlotte Coliseum, which drew enormous crowds and somehow still had enough room for all 5-foot-3 inches of Muggsy Bogues. On the plaque commemorating the Coliseum, there’s an inscription by the great poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, that reads: “Look not mournfully into the past, it comes back not again. Wisely improve the present and go forth to meet the future with optimism and without fear.”

Over the past several decades, the Hornets have strived to replicate their past glory, recreate their signature ambiance, and rediscover their identity since they left their beloved old grounds, affectionately known as “The Hive”, for a more modern venue downtown. However, to put it frankly, their attempts have been as unsuccessful as a hornet colliding with the grill of a moving car.

In all fairness, there were a few good seasons scattered here and there, but none that generated any significant momentum or garnered much attention for the Hornets beyond the city’s borders. The franchise was burdened with numerous poor drafts, coaching terminations, and simply bad luck. For each star player like Muggsy, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Dell Curry, who were dynamic players that set the groundwork and offered thrilling games in the early to mid-1990s, there was a counterpart like Adam Morrison, Emeka Okafor, and a Zeller Brother (specifically Cody).

Do you wish to know the greatest mistake ever made? In 1996, the Hornets picked a high school teenager in a draft and promptly traded him for Vlade Divac. That teenager was none other than Kobe Bryant.

You want to know the ultimate irony? This team has been owned by legendary six-time NBA champ Michael Jordan since 2010, yet has reached the playoffs three times since 2004.

Jordan remains present and in a more cheerful mood, largely due to a promising player the Hornets managed to keep hold of. The positive atmosphere within the Spectrum Center during game nights is also due to the Hornets’ seemingly sustainable structure – something they have finally achieved.

LaMelo Ball is skillfully executing passes, which Miles Bridges is powerfully completing at the rim. Meanwhile, a variety of other players in rotation are contributing sufficiently to provide the Hornets with what they have always sought in the Jordan era – credibility, fan support, and a rise in the standings, where they currently hold an 11-8 record and are placed fifth in the East.

This team is certainly still developing, but the fact that they’re making progress is what gives people here hope that this isn’t just some cruel prank. This team could potentially be the best one Jordan has ever owned. While that may seem like being referred to as the tallest man in a gathering of short men, the Hornets are more than happy to soak up any positivity thrown their way.

“Hornets General Manager Mitch Kupchak, who has been instrumental in the team’s overhaul through his personnel decisions, stated, ‘I know for sure that Michael is happy. I believe he approves of the path we’re taking.'”

The Hornets have come out on top against the current conference leaders, the Nets and Warriors. They boast a strong 6-2 record on their home turf, recreating the electrifying atmosphere that was a trademark of the old Coliseum, often hailed as the loudest arena in the league. What’s more, the Hornets have shed their underdog status, attracting fans on the road with their smooth and attractive style of play.

A substantial part of this is attributed to LaMelo, the current Kia Rookie of the Year, who has already established himself as a player known solely by his first name. He has enhanced his skills in most areas and continues to be a standout player who captivates and dominates your attention.

Keep in mind that he turned 20 just three months ago but his game is much more seasoned than that. He leads the Hornets in rebounds (8.4 rpg), steals (2.1 spg) and assists (7.7 apg) and constantly feeds the team’s leading scorer, Bridges (20.8 ppg), with passes that lead to high percentage shots. His shooting efficiency remains under construction and, like his teammates, defense is a concern. But otherwise, LaMelo is exactly the type of young centerpiece needed by the Hornets. He’s averaging nearly a triple-double over his last three games (21.5 ppg, 11.5 rpg, 9.0 apg) and has three 30-point games to date this season.

“Selecting my moments and allowing the game to flow naturally is my strategy,” Ball stated. “My objective was to return as an improved player.”

Being a good player in the NBA is common, but not all good players have the charisma to captivate the audience and become box-office attractions. These players are rare and highly coveted.

“Jerry West had a saying about special players; he’d say they had a touch of gold dust sprinkled on them from above,” Kupchak stated. “I believe LaMelo possesses that quality.”

During Jordan’s tenure, Kemba Walker was the only shining star. Before Walker, there wasn’t much to note. Since Jordan took full charge of the team, Walker has been the only All-Star player. This highlights the team’s inability to attract or find resonating players, and their unsuccessful attempts to do so through drafts, trades, or free agency.

Even their chase for LaMelo, who has the potential to break into the All-Star league this year, was fraught with uncertainties and the possibility of failure.

LaMelo’s journey to the NBA was anything but conventional. He played for two different high schools across two states and even went pro in two countries. His popularity on social media made him a hit among his peers, but was it all just hype? When he announced his candidacy for the 2019 Draft, NBA scouts didn’t have much information on him, apart from his five-star prep prospect status. His stint in Australia, his final stop before the NBA, was cut short after just 12 games due to a foot injury.

The Hornets had a stroke of luck in the Draft lottery, climbing from eighth place to third. This put LaMelo in their sights. However, he was still viewed as somewhat of a gamble due to the limited information available for study. LaMelo hadn’t played college basketball, restricting the amount of research the Hornets could carry out.

“Kupchak stated, “We visited Australia and observed him during two or three practice sessions and two games. He didn’t play again after getting injured, and we had a few Zoom conversations with him in the eight months leading up to the draft. In the week before the draft, we flew to L.A. for a solo workout session that lasted 40 minutes. That was the extent of our interaction.”

Anthony Edwards went No. 1 to the Wolves as expected. Then the Warriors, choosing second, went big with James Wiseman. That left LaMelo — would he be another big miss by the Hornets or a talented crowd-pleaser? So far, LaMelo is filling stat sheets and arena seats.

“Hornets coach James Borrego has acknowledged the marked improvement in his team’s point guard’s decision-making abilities. He noted that while his playmaking has always been strong, his overall decision-making has greatly improved. Borrego highlighted the decrease in turnovers, an enhanced understanding of time and score situations, and a stronger physical defense. He emphasized that his most significant growth has been in his leadership skills and his trust in his teammates,” explained Borrego.

Kupchak further comments, “I was a teammate of Pete Maravich and they possess similar skills. However, Pete’s games didn’t attract many spectators. The best way to draw a crowd is by winning games. I’m always cautious about giving a player too much too soon. This player certainly has charisma and a distinctive style of play. Nevertheless, he has a long journey ahead and ultimately, it’s all about winning games.”

Success also hinges on superior player acquisition. Since the hiring of Kupchak in 2018, there has been a complete change in the front office and coaching staff. His drafts have yielded players like Bridges and LaMelo, and he has successfully brought in accomplished NBA veterans such as Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Kelly Oubre through offseason maneuvers.

Bridges and the Hornets were unable to reach a contract extension agreement this fall. However, Bridges is backing himself and it’s paying off. He’s enjoying his best season yet and is one of the NBA’s top players in terms of restricted area scoring and number of 3-pointers made.

“Miles becomes difficult to defend when he’s in attack mode,” said Rozier. “His large size and aggression have been consistent throughout the year.”

The Hornets recently experienced a challenging West Coast trip, losing four out of five games. However, they have otherwise been thriving, winning six of their last seven games. In their Monday victory over Washington, Rozier hit eight 3-pointers. The victory over the Warriors was particularly exciting, as it marked only the second defeat for the Warriors and it occurred in Charlotte’s home territory, causing their fans to grow more confident in the team’s potential.

Thirty years ago, the Hornets consistently topped NBA attendance at the 23,000-seat Coliseum and were the only attraction in the city. However, the team and the new building faced difficulty in finding common ground following the demolition of the Coliseum. This situation is likely improving currently. Last season, fans were unable to witness LaMelo’s impressive rookie year due to the pandemic, a circumstance not present this season.

“Kupchak expressed his happiness for the fans in the stadium, acknowledging their enthusiasm. However, he emphasized that the players gain the most benefit. He recalled the past year and a half where games were played in empty stadiums due to the pandemic, resulting in a lack of crowd response despite the players’ efforts. He noted that having spectators, especially after returning from away games, provides a significant boost of energy for the players. He fondly remembered how during the match against the Knicks, the fans remained on their feet for almost the entire second half,” Kupchak said.

The current situation looks promising for the Hornets, but the relentless nature of the NBA could be harsh. The Hornets will have to prove their ability to sustain their momentum in the coming five months or risk faltering due to heightened expectations. As a primarily young team, the outcome could swing either way.

At the very least, this LaMelo team seems to be gaining more credibility than the Kemba Walker teams. They are still a work in progress; a good comparison would be the Hawks, who, by accumulating and nurturing young talent over time, managed to elevate their game and reach the Eastern Conference finals last season.

“Reaching the playoffs and winning one round isn’t our ultimate goal,” said Kupchak. “I aspire to progress further. I aim to emulate Atlanta’s performance from last year and exceed it by advancing an additional round.”

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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