Hornets second-year coach Charles Lee sees a new LaMelo Ball leaving his mark on the NBA.
The Hornets’ head coach didn’t hesitate when asked what LaMelo Ball has shown – and what comes next. It starts on defense, flows through quick-hit passing and ends with a cleaner shot diet. When those elements align, he said, Charlotte turns “very dangerous.” Lee detailed his vision of Ball to the Charlotte Observer’s Roderick Boone in a recent interview.
“I love what he’s given to our team on both ends of the floor,” the coach told Boone. He pointed to recent nights when Ball piled up deflections and production, including a triple-double performance, and singled out a game against Brooklyn where Ball “on both sides of the court” gave his best. “When he’s in that mode, he makes us a very dangerous team.”
Coach Emphasizes Two-Way Engagement & Leadership
The message wasn’t just about steals or closeouts. It was about engagement – and the ripple effect. The coach highlighted Ball’s willingness to “pass it ahead” and “unleash [teammates’] greatness,” a style that speeds possessions and rewards runners and shooters. That, in turn, fuels the star guard’s own numbers.
Just as important, the coach said, is Ball’s presence as a communicator. When Ball’s “spirit” and “level of vocal leadership” are up, “our team feels it.” For a roster developing new habits, a lead guard who sets the defensive tone and keeps the offense connected becomes an identity anchor. The staff’s ask is simple: stay locked in on both ends and let that voice carry.
Shot Profile Shift: More Catch-and-Shoot 3s
GettyLaMelo Ball’s commitment to playing solid defense, taking better shots and keeping his teammates involved could be the keys to the Hornets putting together a strong season.
The coach also pointed to a subtle but meaningful change: more catch-and-shoot threes. That tweak matters. Catch-and-shoot attempts are typically cleaner looks and reduce the physical toll of constant self-creation. The staff wants to “help him deal with some of the physical[ity] of defenders,” and one lever is getting Ball off the ball at times—cutting, relocating and punishing soft gaps with quick releases.
Ball’s willingness to move the ball ahead early creates those opportunities. When the ball pops, defenses shift, and the point guard can re-space for rhythm triples. The result: fewer late-clock heaves, more high-value shots and a half step saved for the next defensive possession.
Many around the NBA have watched the star power of Ball and wondered when he’ll elevate the Hornets into a contender. As a Rookie of the Year, followed up by an All-Star appearance, Ball has shown when he’s healthy he can be one of the best players in the NBA. Since that All-Star appearance, however, Ball has appeared in more than 47 games in the past three seasons.
The 24-year-old is off to a strong start this season, averaging 23.3 points, 9.8 assists, 7.8 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game. He’s shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three-point line.
What It Means for Charlotte
The coach’s comments sketch a clear blueprint. If Ball sustains defensive activity – deflections, chest-up containment, quick hands – and continues to toggle between table-setting and catch-and-shoot strikes, Charlotte’s margin for error grows. It also elevates teammates. Wings get cleaner looks in early offense, bigs get easier rim runs, and the second unit inherits a tempo that generates bench points.
The next step is consistency. “I just want to continue to see him grow on both ends,” the coach said. The implication is daily: stack engaged possessions, stack smart shots, stack leadership moments. The franchise’s ceiling rises when its most talented player leans into that complete version of himself.
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