Ball hasn’t even scored in a preseason game, let alone played in a regular season contest, but NBA veteran Jamal Crawford has seen enough. 3 overall in last week’s draft. LaMelo Ball Overview; Game Logs. This site uses cookies. Ball, who was the No.3 Draft pick this year, is probably one of the most-anticipated rookies this year. LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward had cool moments, but not enough vs. Raptors . Okongwu noted games against Lonzo and LaMelo as ones he was most excited for in his rookie season. That supported a previous report from Rich Bonnell of The Charlotte Observer. The NBA released the first half of its regular season schedule on Friday with games beginning just before Christmas and stretching into early March. The remainder of the starting lineup is uncertain. Last night, Melo participated in his first-ever NBA preseason game and he made a massive first impression. Despite the roster overhaul and head coaching change this off-season for the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball will maintain his spot in the starting line-up in the backcourt to kick off the preseason. At one point, Melo flicks the ball behind his back as if it was nothing. FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, LaMelo Ball of the Illawarra Hawks brings the ball up during a game against the Sydney Kings in the Australian Basketball League in Sydney. “I Fit at the Top”: LaMelo Ball Confident of His game Ahead of 2020 NBA Draft. Five most intriguing games to watch for LaMelo Ball and the Charlotte Hornets. As for the Lonzo-LaMelo showdown, Lonzo gave his brother a friendly warning of their first meeting while on JJ Redick’s podcast during the lockdown in April. 1 pick in next month’s NBA Draft, has officially signed with PUMA on a deal reportedly worth $100 million. LaMelo Ball wasn't the only rookie to have a successful preseason debut. We’ll see if my name is matched up against his. Top Rumors, Cody Zeller, Devonte Graham, Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, PJ Washington, Terry Rozier, Charlotte Hornets Rumor Hype Rumor visits per day for the last week Views per day LaMelo Ball scored 92 points today out his team's 146 total!! The Balls left the team in April 2018 after Lavar, who played tight end for the London Monarchs of … Share this article share tweet text email link Jacob Rude. Lonzo will have his chance to live up to those words against LaMelo less than a month into the season. The schedule begins on opening night on Dec. 22 and runs through … FILE - In this Nov. 17, 2019, file photo, LaMelo Ball of the Illawarra Hawks brings the ball … LaMelo Ball possesses elite playmaking skills and a knack for creating his own shot. Interestingly enough, Ball made some pre-tip news when it was learned that he would be starting at point guard. LaMelo Ball, the potential No. “Here is what I’m … One of the notable match-ups will be the first showdown between Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. “We’ll see. LaMelo Ball is expected to be the first name called out during the 2020 NBA Draft. He’s sold on the California kid. News: 3 hours ago Ball failed to score a point (0-5 FG, 0-3 3Pt) but added 10 rebounds and four assists in 16 minutes off the bench during Saturday's 111-100 preseason loss to the Raptors.. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — LaMelo Ball is thrilled to have a chance to play for the Charlotte Hornets. Some believe that he is already an elite passer, but … Sign up for the Lonzo Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. To return to the team, Bledsoe will need a series of negative tests that he had not yet entirely fulfilled. By using this site, you agree to our: LaMelo Ball Displays Insane Passing Ability In First Hornets Game, He was picked third overall by the Charlotte Hornets, NBA Twitter was quite impressed with LaMelo. With his famous father LaVar by his side, it's clear that Melo will have a lot of pressure this season although it appears as though he is more than ready for that challenge.Â. 12/13/2020, 3:20 AM. Ball reportedly became the youngest American to ever sign a professional basketball contract. On another pass, Ball launched the ball down the court like a quarterback. Stemming mostly from comments made by Van Gundy about Ball's improvement as a communicator this preseason, Ball appears to be one of the players taking the biggest step forward. LaMelo Ball knows that, but the new member of the Hornets can’t really admit it publicly since LaVar is his dad. With such varying opinions on the top prospects, the 2020 NBA Draft will be an unpredictable one. One of the notable match-ups will be the first showdown between Lonzo and LaMelo Ball. Filed Under: Charlotte Hornets , College Football , NBA , Top Stories About Matt Audilet Many of those assists were gorgeous passes as seen in the clips below. He is already displaying confidence which is the first step in becoming a star player in the NBA. These plays were just a sample of what Ball can do this season and while it was just a preseason game, there is certainly good reason to be excited about LaMelo's ceiling. With the constricted 72-game schedule, the two sides will meet just once in the 2020-21 season, barring a meeting in the NBA Finals. https://lonzowire.usatoday.com/2020/12/04/lonzo-ball-lamelo-ball-pelicans-hornets-schedule/, Pelicans will have 19 games on national television, WATCH: LaMelo Ball buries three-pointer, stares down Raptors bench, LaVar Ball calls Detroit Pistons 'raggedy as hell' after team waives LiAngelo Ball, Stan Van Gundy expects to play Pelican starters 30 minutes in preseason opener, Pelicans vs. Heat: How to watch, TV channel, start time, Hornets vs. Raptors: How to watch, TV channel, start time, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. I know his game pretty well so it might be a tough night for him.”. The New Orleans Pelicans began preseason play on Monday night when they visited the defending Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat. The NBA released the first half of the regular season schedule on Friday afternoon. LaMelo Ball 's jump shot remains a work in progress , but the rest of his game is drawing praise after a solid preseason debut. Ball and his accompanying guests got up from their cushioned courtside seats and left out the back door with about a minute remaining in the game. Lithuania was a strange stop on Ball’s journey, being only 16 he did not get many games or minutes averaging 12 minutes per game with 6.5 points, 2.4 assists and 1.1 rebounds per game. The third pick in the draft by the Hornets, Ball didn’t score, missing all five of his shots. League. While he didn't score any points, Melo was able to get 10 rebounds and four assists. Coming into his first NBA season, large expectations have been placed upon LaMelo Ball. He was picked third overall by the Charlotte Hornets and in the eyes of many, he was easily the most talented player in the NBA draft. Ball averaged 2.2 points while playing at Washington State while Jordan was a 14-time NBA All-Star and 10-time scoring champion. These plays were just a sample of what Ball can do this season and while it was just a preseason game, there is certainly good reason to be excited about LaMelo's ceiling. Although seemingly a forgone conclusion, Ball's place as a starter with the team has come into question with the acquisition of Eric Bledsoe. That regular season match-up will come on Jan. 8 in New Orleans. JJ Redick also did not make the trip with the team to Miami after being... For as much information that has been available of the Pelicans training camp, which has largely been word of mouth from Stan Van Gundy and the players through media interviews, Lonzo Ball appears to be one of the standouts. Bledsoe, however, didn't travel to Miami for the contest. LaMelo Ball played his prep ball at Chino Hills High School playing alongside his older brothers. LaMelo Ball’s preseason debut had a little bit of everything. LaMelo Ball opened his scoring as a Hornet with 12 points, joining five other Hornets in double figures, but the Charlotte Hornets lost their second straight to the Toronto Raptors, 112-109.. Devonte’ Graham opened the scoring with a nice cut down the lane for an easy layup off a feed from Cody Zeller. LaMelo Ball and the Hornets will get another shot at the Raptors on Monday night in a second preseason game. Yashima Bhatia. One of these prospects with a mixed bag of reviews is LaMelo Ball. December 4, 2020 5:06 pm. Prienai withdrew from the Baltic Basketball Leagueupon their arrival and took part in various exhibition games spons… Chino Hills vs Los Osos FULL Highlights!! The brothers' move to Lithuania was heavily reported by American sports media. Having played with the Illawarra Hawks in the Australian NBL, Ball comes with some prior experience, … LaMelo Ball doubts 1-on-1 game between father, Michael Jordan will happen. 2019-20 - NBL Australia; More International Pages. Point guards don’t normally get ten boards per game and the fact that LaMelo got double-digits in only 16 minutes is vastly impressive. How the Charlotte Hornets looked in their NBA preseason loss to the Toronto Raptors. No. He finished the league season averaging 6.5 points and 2.4 assists in 12.8 minutes per game. Players; Teams; Seasons; Leaders; Awards; Leagues. By. Per Game … As you can imagine, NBA Twitter was quite impressed with LaMelo, and they had a lot to say about what he was able to accomplish out on the floor. Liga ACB; LNB Pro A; Lega Serie A; Greek Basket League; ABA Adriatic; VTB United; Turkish Super League; Israeli Super League; EuroCup; EuroLeague; NBL Australia; CBA China; FIBA World Cup; Olympics; Per Game. The long, weird road LaMelo Ball took to becoming an NBA player came to an end on Saturday night. LaMelo Ball is expected to be the first name called out during the 2020 NBA Draft. The Pelicans pulled out a 114-92 victory behind 26 points from Zion Williamson, and they did so despite a subpar shooting night from Lonzo Ball. Eric Bledsoe did not make the trip with the team to Miami after an out-of-market excused absence led to him missing a test. He also had 25 points, 10 assists, 1 steal. Lamelo Ball Career Bests: Rebounds Lamelo Ball grabs a career high 12 rebounds (2019) On November 11, 2019, Lamelo Ball set his career high in rebounds in a Australia - NBL game. Please check your email for a confirmation. Michael Jordan would destroy LaVar Ball in a one-on-one game. CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 12: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets looks on during the first half of their game at Spectrum Center on December 12, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. That day he grabbed 12 rebounds in 's road loss against , 91-79. Josh Hart, who is one of the players most familiar with Ball as the two have spent each of their three seasons in the NBA together, spoke to the media on... Start every day with our most popular content waiting in your inbox. — Game 7 (@game7__) November 7, 2020 “LaMelo Ball has reportedly struggled in workouts and interviews, and many league sources believe he could fall out of the top three,” Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer wrote last week. The Charlotte Hornets selected Ball in the NBA draft Wednesday, Nov. 18. LaMelo Ball is the youngest of three brothers who have made it to the NBA in some capacity after being drafted No. 4 weeks ago . (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft, File) 1 of 5. Inside the LaMelo Ball Draft Night Extravaganza; LaVar Ball turned heads when he told USA Today in 2017 that he "would kill" Jordan in a one-on-one game in his prime. LaMelo Ball: Struggles with shot in debut. For LaMelo, one night after his meeting with Lonzo, he will take on former Chino Hills teammate and friend Onyeka Okongwu and the Atlanta Hawks at home. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. That is the lone nationally televised game for the Hornets in the first half of the season while the Pelicans will have 19 games on national television in the first half of the season. You'll now receive the top Lonzo Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. You can see some of these reactions, below. With a Charlotte Hornets vs Toronto Raptors game lined up, fans are excited about seeing LaMelo Ball on the court.