Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. I write about what’s happening in the NBA daily, even when COVID has ravaged the league.
LaMelo Ball made 7 threes in Charlotte’s blowout over Houston.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images.)
I remember when people asked me about LaMelo Ball before the draft. I knew full well about his propensity to pass the ball but I also knew he wasn’t the greatest defender. I also responded to one of them saying that Charlotte might be the worst place he can go to.
I felt like going to a not-so-great team in Charlotte with a bunch of young players might not help him. I also felt that he’d have to fight with Devonte’ Graham and Terry Rozier for position. Even though he’s a high pick, would James Borrego give him PT?
Well, LaMelo Ball has been proving everyone wrong. Unlike his brother, Lonzo, who likes to let the game come to him (sometimes, too much), LaMelo gets after it since he also has that scoring mentality. Rozier getting hurt gave Ball an opening. He’s averaging 22.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 6.6 dimes in 5 games as a starter. He hasn’t looked back since he got the starting job and I don’t think the Hornets are, either.
The younger Ball made 7 threes in their big blowout win over Houston and went for 24-7-10. The Ball brothers can pass; we know that. Lonzo has been a much better shooter, at least, since coming back from missing three games. But Lonzo has made some tweaks to his shot since he came into the league.
The Hornets have tried to change LaMelo’s shot. But he’s sticking to what got him there. From ProBasketballTalk:
Everywhere LaMelo Ball has played basketball, people have tried to change his 3-point shot.
But the 19-year-old has steadfastly refused.
“I stick with it. I say, `This is how I shoot,”‘ Ball said. “I’m confident in it and I feel good letting it go. I came here and they tried to adjust it a little, but I’m like, `Ah, this is how I shoot.”‘
And right now, there’s no reason to change.
No matter how weird people’s shot is, if they’re confident with it and it goes in, that’s what matters what. Michael Adams, Nuggets all-star in the 90s, had a low push shot but was deadly from range. Bill Cartwright, center of the first three-peat Bulls, can make those midrange shots but his release was super high and his hand isn’t even under the ball at the start of his shooting motion. Even Reggie Miller‘s release was unusual; one of the best three-point shooters in history had his left hand shake right as his right hand releases the shot.
Either way, yes, talent can rise above. But it’s also the mentality of making it work no matter what situation he’s in. LaMelo is excellent beyond his years. We always say that, sometimes, situations can hinder a lot of players. I can’t say Charlotte was the perfect circumstance for him; imagine LaMelo being under the learning tree of Stephen Curry, right?
But LaMelo Ball is shining on his own. Maybe he CAN be that transformative star that his dad had been yapping about all along.
Bullet Passes
The Lakers played a second straight overtime game. But it was Wesley Matthews, who got his turn that game with a couple of players sitting out. Matthews made a huge three in overtime and scored 16 points off the bench.
Nikola Jokic scored 35 points in his four of his last 5 games. He went for 35-12-6 in a loss against the Bucks. But in that stretch, he scored career-highs in points twice. Remember that he went for 47 against Utah and then 50 against Sacramento.
The Dallas Mavericks nearly blew a 25-point lead against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They even led by 23 with under 10 minutes left. The Mavericks really need to get put it together soon if they want to make the postseason.
The Suns have won 6 of 7 as Devin Booker went for 36 points.
Meanwhile, the Cavs have LOST 6 of 7. Collin Sexton has been a little quieter, averaging “only” 20.7 points in that stretch.
Draymond Green tried to put up a 40-footer when they were down three because he thought the Spurs were going to foul him.
Not how they drew it up pic.twitter.com/QVKbIGEMUx
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) February 9, 2021
Two things I don’t like: fouling up three (which the Spurs didn’t do) and not going for a proper shot because they’re looking for contact (which Draymond did). They like to say that they’re playing for percentages but I always feel you take the best shot possible and whatever the opponents do is not under your control. Plus the refs can be weird about whistles.
Anyway, Draymond called it “the smartest dumb play.” Sure. I guess.
Pascal Siakam has scored 30 or more in 4 of his last 6 games. Just keeping an eye out.
NBA Scoreboard
Feb. 8, 2021
Watch This Play
The other Bridges, Mikal Bridges of the Suns, shows his dunking prowess.
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 9, 2021
Mikal and Miles are not related, by the way.
Everyone, please take care of yourselves during this pandemic. And that goes for everyone involved with the NBA as well.
You can find Rey-Rey on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
You can also check out Rey-Rey’s podcast, Rey-Rey Is Fundamental, for more basketball content and, really, whatever else.