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.”

For several decades, the Hornets have been attempting to replicate their past, recreate the buzz, and rediscover their identity after departing from their beloved original venue, “The Hive,” for more modern facilities downtown. To put it bluntly, these attempts have been as successful as a hornet colliding with the grill of a fast-moving car.

In all fairness, the Hornets did have a few good seasons scattered throughout their history, but none managed to gain significant attention or create much excitement beyond the city’s borders. The franchise was plagued by a series of unfortunate drafts, coach dismissals, and just plain bad luck. While they had outstanding players like Muggsy, Larry Johnson, Alonzo Mourning, and Dell Curry, who laid the groundwork and played thrilling basketball in the early to mid-1990s, they also had less successful players like Adam Morrison, Emeka Okafor, and in this instance, Cody Zeller.

Do you wish to hear about the greatest mistake? In 1996, the Hornets drafted a high school teenager, only to trade him instantly for Vlade Divac. That youngster turned out to be 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, happier in demeanor, and there’s an upbeat atmosphere in the Spectrum Center during game nights. This is largely due to the Hornets’ new-found stability – a change that’s mainly attributed to retaining a young player they almost lost.

LaMelo Ball is expertly executing slick passes while Miles Bridges is conclusively finishing them at the rim. Meanwhile, a variety of other rotation players are performing sufficiently to provide the Hornets with what they’ve long desired during the Jordan era: credibility, increased spectatorship, and a rise in the standings. Currently, their record stands at 11-8, placing them fifth in the East.

This team is still developing, but the fact that they are making progress gives people here hope that they might not be just a disappointing illusion. This could potentially be the greatest team that Jordan has ever possessed. Even though this might sound like being acknowledged as the tallest individual in a gathering of short men, the Hornets are more than happy to accept any positive energy that comes their way.

“Hornets General Manager, Mitch Kupchak, who is credited for initiating this renovation with his personnel decisions, confirmed, “Michael is happy, I believe. I think he appreciates the direction we’re headed in.”

The Hornets have already secured wins against the Nets and Warriors, who are presently the leaders of the conference. They have a commendable 6-2 record on their home court and are taking advantage of the opportunity to reproduce the ambiance of the old Coliseum, frequently considered the noisiest arena in the league. What’s more, the Hornets are not being overlooked, attracting fans during away games due to their fluid style of play.

A significant portion of this can be attributed to LaMelo, the current Kia Rookie of the Year who is already recognized by just his first name. He has shown improvement in various areas and continues to be a standout player who invariably captures and commands 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.

“Simply, I’m selecting my positions and allowing the game to unfold naturally,” said Ball. “My aim was to return as an improved player.”

Being a good player in the NBA, where there’s no shortage of talented individuals, is one thing. However, not every good player possesses the charm to captivate the audience and become a box-office sensation. These kinds of players are rare and highly valuable.

Kupchak mentioned Jerry West’s expression about certain players having a sprinkle of gold dust from above. He believes LaMelo possesses that quality.

During Jordan’s rule, Kemba Walker was the most shining star, but before Walker, there wasn’t much to mention. Since Jordan took over complete control of the club, Walker has been the only All-Star player. This highlights the Hornets’ failure to attract resonating players and their unsuccessful attempts to find one through drafts, trades, or free agency.

Even their pursuit of 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 anything but typical. His basketball career included playing for high schools in two separate states and professionally in two different countries. He was a sensation on social media and was perceived as cool by his peers, but was it all just hype? When he entered the 2019 Draft, NBA scouts didn’t have much information on him, aside from his status as a five-star high school prospect. His stint in Australia, his final destination prior to 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, advancing from the eighth to the third position, and suddenly LaMelo became a possibility. However, he was seen as somewhat of a gamble, mainly due to the lack of material to evaluate. His absence from college ball meant the Hornets had limited information to base their decision on.

“Kupchak stated, “We travelled to Australia, where we watched him practice a few times and attended two games. However, he didn’t play any further due to his injury. The draft was scheduled eight months later. We interacted with him through a couple of Zoom calls. A week prior to the draft, we went to L.A. for a 40-minute individual workout session with him. 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 remarked that while his playmaking skills have always been evident, his decision making as the point guard has notably improved. He added that his turnovers have decreased and his comprehension of time and score situations has improved. Borrego praised his enhanced physicality in defense and leadership skills. Most importantly, Borrego noted that he has returned with a heightened trust in his teammates.

Kupchak notes: “I used to play with Pete Maravich and their skills are similar. However, not many people attended Pete’s games. The surefire strategy to attract audiences is by winning games. I am always cautious about overpraising a player too soon. He certainly has charm and a distinctive style of play. But, he still has a long journey ahead and ultimately, it’s about securing victories.”

Victory also hinges on superior player recruitment. Since Kupchak’s appointment in 2018, there has been a complete change in the front office and coaching staff. His draft choices yielded Bridges and LaMelo, and he successfully recruited productive NBA veterans Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Kelly Oubre through offseason maneuvers.

Bridges and the Hornets were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension this fall, leading Bridges to back his own abilities, a decision that is proving beneficial. He’s currently enjoying the best season of his career and is among the top scorers in the NBA’s restricted area and 3-pointers.

“Guarding Miles when he’s on the offensive is difficult,” Rozier stated. “His size and aggression have been consistent throughout the year.”

The Hornets recently encountered some difficulties during their West Coast trip, losing four out of five games. However, they have generally been successful, winning six of their last seven matches. In their Monday victory against Washington, Rozier contributed significantly by scoring eight 3-pointers. Their victory against the Warriors was particularly satisfying, as it not only marked the Warriors’ second defeat, but it also occurred at home, boosting the confidence of their increasingly supportive fans.

Thirty years ago, the Hornets were the undisputed leaders in NBA attendance at the 23,000-seat Coliseum and had no competition in the city. However, after the Coliseum was demolished, the team and the new arena had difficulty finding harmony. This situation is likely improving now. Due to the pandemic, fans missed out on LaMelo’s impressive rookie year last season, but this is no longer the case.

“Kupchak expressed his happiness for the fans in the stadium, noting their enthusiasm. However, he emphasized that the players benefit the most. He reflected on the past year and a half when the players had to compete in empty stadiums, with no audience reaction. According to him, having fans in the stadium, especially after returning from a road trip, provides significant energy. He recalled how during the game against the Knicks, the fans remained standing for nearly the entire second half, demonstrating the magnitude of their impact,” Kupchak said.

The situation currently looks very promising for the Hornets, however, the relentless pace of the NBA can be harsh. The Hornets must now prove whether they can sustain their momentum in the coming five months, or if they will falter under the pressure of heightened expectations. Being primarily a young team, the outcome could go in either direction.

At the very least, there is a feeling that this LaMelo team, unlike the Kemba Walker squads, is gaining credibility. It’s also worth noting that this team is still a work in progress. It’s best likened to the Hawks, who over the years accumulated and groomed a wealth of young talent, allowing them to elevate their game and make it to the Eastern Conference finals last season.

“Reaching the playoffs isn’t our only goal, nor is winning just one round,” said Kupchak. “I aim for progress. I aspire to replicate what Atlanta achieved last year and even surpass 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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