Hornets’ LaMelo Ball: ‘Winning’ Is Precedence After Injury Return over ROY Award

Earlier to LaMelo Ball even stepped foot on the court Saturday for the first time in six weeks with the Charlotte Hornets, his head coach became busy reigniting the guard’s Rookie of the three hundred and sixty five days campaign. 

“LaMelo is deserving of that,” James Borrego urged reporters. “I’m overjoyed and I’m thankful that he gets an opportunity to continue that season in the stretch toddle. … So, I’m thrilled for him. But, us as an organization, right here’s an even trying time for Melo to be centerstage of this component.”

A few hours later—after the Hornets downed the Detroit Pistons, 107-84, with Ball notching 11 aspects, eight assists and 7 boards—the rookie looked less piquant about his particular person accolades than his team’s push for the postseason. 

Requested if he’s been piquant about Rookie of the three hundred and sixty five days in the month and a half of since injuring his wrist, the 19-three hundred and sixty five days-outmoded admitted his thoughts has been centered in other places. 

“Largely a success,” Ball stated. “Undoubtedly it could maybe perhaps be playoffs first. But mostly, accurate a success.”

If Rookie of the three hundred and sixty five days became awarded per spotlight reels by myself, Ball would possibly well perhaps be pleased locked it up on Saturday. 

The guard went accurate into his procure of solutions against Detroit, allotting fleshy-court passes and cutting thru the Pistons’ protection for easy layups. No matter signs of rust Detroit hoped to head searching for from Ball in his return, few seemed. 

Now with 41 profession video games played, Ball is averaging 15.9 aspects, 6.1 assists and 5.9 rebounds per evening while shooting 45.1 percent from the self-discipline and 37.5 percent from in the again of the arc. 

He’ll be ready to possess obvious that the Hornets reach the postseason for the first time since 2016 and lock up Rookie of the three hundred and sixty five days honors if he’s ready to have faith that stage of play. 

As it stands, Charlotte is preserving onto the No. 8 seed, 2.5 video games again of the Boston Celtics for the No. 6 seed in the Jap Convention and an automatic berth in the first round. Seeds 7-10 are guaranteed no lower than one sport throughout the league’s play-in tournament later this month. 

It be an uphill climb for obvious—especially with accurate 9 video games last on the Hornets’ time table—however Ball has confirmed all season that he’s no longer to be underestimated. If any individual can multitask a success particular person awards without compromising team success, it is the rookie from California who continues to dazzle the league.