LaMelo Ball Will Be Just Fine
LaMelo Ball has had a very rough start to his 2023-24 season, which has led many people to be concerned or overreact. Ball received a $260 million dollar extension this summer, spanning over the next five years.
Ball is averaging just 14.3 points per game on less than ideal shooting splits of 25.5% from the field and 25.0% from three. Despite the shooting struggles, LaMelo is still impacting the game with 9.0 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals.
There's no doubt that LaMelo hasn't played his best basketball this season. In fact, it's most likely the worst basketball LaMelo Ball has played in his career. However, it's only three games into the season. It would make more sense if these were the reactions around games 15 or 20 into the season. LaMelo is still returning from his fractured ankle that he suffered on February 28th, which he had surgery on back at the beginning of March.
It certainly doesn't help that LaMelo played just 36 games in the 2022-2023 season as he battled ankle injuries throughout the entire year. This ultimately has appeared to knock LaMelo completely out of rhythm.
"He's just not in rhythm, doesn't feel great yet," head coach Steve Clifford said. "He's doing a lot of good things. His instincts are ridiculous, even for this league. Remember, too, he only played 36 games last year, so it's been a long time for him. You can see it. He's not that far away."
Everyone knows the player LaMelo is and this isn't it. There's no doubt that will LaMelo will return to the same player he was once he gets back into rhythm. Not only will he return to the same player, but I believe he will be a better player than he has ever been. Below are the statistics of LaMelo's three games played this season.
| Vs Atlanta | Vs Detroit | Vs Brooklyn |
|---|---|---|
15 Points | 20 Points | 8 Points |
10 Assists | 9 Assists | 8 Assists |
6 Rebounds | 9 Rebounds | 6 Fouls |
4-15 Field Goal | 4-17 Field Goal | 3-11 Field Goal |
4-11 3-Point | 10-12 Free Throw | 0-6 3-Point |
The Hornets will need Ball to start playing like himself very soon. If it weren't for his struggles this season, then the Hornets would most likely be sitting at 3-0 heading into tonight's matchup with Houston. LaMelo has also been taken out of lineups when he normally wouldn't because he's still not in game shape. He is still on a minutes restriction of sorts, playing around 30 minutes.
Other examples of other NBA All-Star caliber players who have had rough starts to the season thus far are Trae Young and Julius Randle. Trae Young is well below his typical average of around 25+ points a game, as he's averaging just 21.3 points. Young is also shooting just 31.0% from the field and 24.1% from three in four games this season.
While on the other hand, Julius Randle is also well below his average of around 22 points per game in his stint with the Knicks, as he's averaging just 15. Randle is shooting just 29.5% from the field and 30.0% from the field in three games this season.
Don't give up on LaMelo Ball because he's too good of a player to let this bring him down. Soon, LaMelo Ball will have his full confidence and swagger back.
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