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 recent decades, the Hornets have made attempts to replicate their past glory, recreate the buzz, and reinvent themselves after moving from the beloved ‘The Hive’ to a newer location downtown. To put it plainly, these efforts have been as futile as a hornet colliding with a fast-moving car’s grill.

Admittedly, there were sporadic decent seasons, which however failed to attract any substantial attention or create much excitement for the Hornets beyond the city’s borders. The franchise was plagued by numerous poor drafts, coach dismissals, and simply unfortunate luck. For every Muggsy, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning and Dell Curry ─ outstanding players who formed the backbone and played thrilling games in the early to mid-1990s ─ there was an Adam Morrison, an Emeka Okafor and a Zeller Brother (specifically Cody, in this instance).

Do you wish to learn about an ultimate blunder? In 1996, the Hornets drafted a high school teenager only to instantly trade 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 is noticeably happier. There’s a friendly buzz in the Spectrum Center during game nights. This is primarily due to the Hornets, who seem to finally have a sustainable build. This is largely thanks to a young player they managed to retain.

LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges are creating a dynamic duo on the court, with Ball’s slick passes and Bridges’ authoritative finishes at the rim. Other rotational players are also contributing sufficiently to provide the Hornets with what they have long desired in the Jordan era – credibility, crowds, and a rise in the standings. Currently, they hold a record of 11-8 and are ranked fifth in the Eastern Conference.

They are still developing and improving, but it’s this ‘progress’ that is leading people to believe this team isn’t just leading them on. This might be the greatest team Jordan has ever assembled. Even though it might seem like being recognized as the tallest person in a room full of short people, the Hornets are willing to embrace all the positive energy they can receive.

“Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak, whose personnel choices initiated this overhaul, stated, “I am aware that Michael is pleased. I believe he approves of the path we’re taking.”

The Hornets have already triumphed over the Nets and Warriors, who currently lead the conference. They have an impressive 6-2 home record and are taking advantage of the opportunity to recreate the energizing ambience of the old Coliseum, renowned as one of the noisiest arenas in the league. More impressively, the Hornets are not being overlooked, attracting audiences during away games due to their fluid style of play.

A lot of this is attributed to LaMelo, the current Kia Rookie of the Year who is now known simply by his first name. He has shown improvement in many areas and continues to be a standout talent who consistently draws and commands 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.

“Choosing my moments carefully and allowing the game to come naturally to me is what I’m doing,” said Ball. “My aim was to return as an improved player.”

Being a good player in the NBA is common. However, not all good players can captivate the crowd and become box-office favorites. These types of players are rare and highly sought after.

“Jerry West would often describe certain players as having a bit of gold dust sprinkled on them from above,” said Kupchak. “I believe LaMelo possesses that quality.”

During Jordan’s rule, Kemba Walker was the most shining talent. Before Walker, there wasn’t much to note. Since taking complete charge of the club, Jordan hasn’t had any other All-Star apart from Walker. This loudly underscores the absence of impactful players and the Hornets’ numerous unsuccessful attempts to find one, whether through the Draft, trades, or free agency.

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

LaMelo’s journey to the NBA was unconventional, to put it mildly. He played at two high schools in two different states and professionally in two different countries. By that time, he was already a social media sensation and popular among his peers, but it was unclear how much of that was just hype. When he made himself available for the 2019 Draft, NBA scouts had little information on him, except that he was a five-star high school prospect. His stint in Australia, his final stop before the NBA, was cut short to just 12 games due to a foot injury.

The Hornets were fortunate in the Draft lottery, advancing from eighth place to No. 3, and this brought LaMelo into focus. However, he was still considered somewhat of a gamble due to the limited information available for assessment. The lack of college basketball experience and limited preparatory work the Hornets could undertake only compounded this fact.

“Kupchak stated, “We travelled to Australia and had the opportunity to observe him practicing two or three times, as well as watch two of his games. Unfortunately, he didn’t play again after sustaining an injury, and the draft was still eight months away. We managed to maintain contact through a few Zoom calls. Prior to the draft week, we flew to L.A. for a personal workout session with him that lasted for 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 noticed significant improvements in his point guard’s performance. He noted that while his player’s playmaking skills have always been strong, there has been a marked increase in his overall decision-making abilities. Borrego pointed out a decrease in his turnovers, enhanced comprehension of time and score situations, and a stronger physical defense. Above all, the player has shown great leadership and increased trust in his teammates,” Borrego said.

Kupchak also stated, “I used to play with Pete Maravich and they share a similar skill set. However, not many people attended Pete’s games. The most effective way to bring in crowds is by winning games. I tend to be cautious about over-praising a player prematurely. He does have charisma and a distinctive style of play. Yet, he still has a long way to go and ultimately, winning games is what matters most.”

Success also hinges on superior player recruitment. Since Kupchak’s appointment in 2018, the entire front office and coaching staff have been replaced. His drafts led to the acquisition of Bridges and LaMelo. Additionally, he successfully signed productive NBA veterans Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Kelly Oubre during the offseason.

Bridges and the Hornets couldn’t reach a contract extension agreement this fall. However, Bridges is taking a gamble on his own abilities, and it’s paying off. He’s currently enjoying his best season ever, ranking among the top NBA players in restricted area scoring and successful 3-pointers.

“Guarding Miles when he’s in attack mode is challenging,” said Rozier. “His size and aggression have been consistent all year.”

The Hornets recently returned from a challenging West Coast trip, where they suffered four losses out of five games. Nevertheless, they’ve otherwise been thriving, securing victories in six of their last seven matches. In their Monday victory against Washington, Rozier scored eight 3-pointers. The triumph against the Warriors was notably enjoyable, as Charlotte handed the Warriors just their second defeat, and it happened on their home ground, bolstering the faith of their growing fan base.

Thirty years ago, the Hornets were often the leaders in NBA attendance at the 23,000-seat Coliseum, being the sole entertainment in the city. Post-demolition, both the team and the new building faced difficulties in reconciling with each other. However, this situation seems to be changing now. Fans were unable to witness LaMelo’s flashy debut season last year due to the pandemic, but this is no longer the case.

“Fans being present in the building brings me joy,” commented Kupchak. “They are fully immersed in the game. However, the most significant advantage is for the players. Over the past one and a half years, they have been competing intensely in empty arenas, with no reaction from the crowd. When there are spectators in the building, and particularly upon returning from an away game, it invigorates them. It’s incredibly impactful. For instance, during the match against the Knicks, they remained standing for nearly the entire second half.”

The current outlook for the Hornets is highly promising, yet the relentless NBA schedule can be ruthless. The Hornets will either prove their ability to sustain their momentum over the upcoming five months or falter under the pressure of heightened expectations. Given that they are primarily a young team, the outcome could swing either way.

At the very least, unlike the Kemba Walker teams, this LaMelo team is gaining confidence and trust. It is still a work in progress; a good comparison would be the Hawks, who have built and nurtured a young talented team over the years, enabling them to level up and reach the Eastern Conference finals last season.

“Getting to the playoffs or winning one round isn’t our goal,” said Kupchak. “I want to progress further. I aim to replicate what Atlanta achieved last year and even surpass them by going one round better.”

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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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