Hornets star guard LaMelo Ball will miss the remainder of the season as he continues to rehab from right ankle surgery, the team’s PR department tweets.
It comes as no surprise that the team is shutting down its star player. The Hornets have the Eastern Conference’s third-worst record at 18-54.
Ball signed a five-year, maximum-salary extension last July. However, his young career has been sidetracked by injuries. He appeared in 51 games in his rookie season and 75 in his sophomore campaign. A wrist injury limited his rookie season.
Last season, he was only able to suit up for 36 games. His season was cut short by a fractured right ankle that required surgery.
This season, he appeared in just 22 games, averaging 23.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 8.0 assists. He hasn’t played since Jan. 26 after the ankle flared up again.
Earlier this month, Ball was believed to be on track to return to action this season. That obviously never materialized. The team initially described his injury as right ankle soreness and later diagnosed it as ankle tendinopathy.
making his kids wear those cheap shoes ruined their careers.
It does make you wonder…
You’re just salty warriors took Wiseman instead lol
Can you back up your claims with anything other than sour grapes? Studies on the shoes related to ankle and knee injuries? What is the other Ball’s injury history?
How is that salty. All 3 of his sons were supposed to be future stars. 2 of them had great skills and should be playing right now. None of the 3 are playing in games. So explain how 3 brothers with NBA skills are not playing today? EXPLAIN>>>
Their father masterfully played the media hype machine. I’ve seen infinitely better players at The Cage and Ruckers
Both the Ball brothers have talent. Its injuries that has hurt their careers.
The only thing that has slowed the Ball brothers has been injuries. Lonzo and LaMelo both lived up to the “hype”. Lonzo transformed UCLA basketball in his one season as a freshman at UCLA. You see any freshman dominate this year the way Lonzo did??? LaMelo did the process his own way right down to playing overseas. Top 3 pick who may not win games, but stuffs the stat sheet every way that the “new NBA” is designed.
Pops absolutely was masterful with marketing. However, you don’t produce 2 top 3 NBA draft picks with luck. He took his three kids and completely dominated the AAU/Travel Team circuit against Nike and Adidas teams with his kids, and some other dudes from around town.
LaMelo still has one of the all-time highlights from high school basketball. Babe Ruth calling his HR stuff. Slowly dribbles the ball up to the halfcourt line. Points at the basket, and calls his shot. Pulls up from halfcourt. Nothing but the bottom of the net.
A couple points of contention. While I do truly like Lonzo because he worked hard to get out from his father’s shadow, developed a three point shot and became one of the best perimeter defenders in the game. He never lived up to the hype coming out of UCLA though,the kid was suppose to be the next Magic Johnson and while he’s a good support player when he’s not hurt he’ll never live up to that.
LaMelo is more than a stat sheet stuffer. He’s a difference maker. In his rookie season the Hornets won 10 more games then they did the year prior and 10 more the season after that. The last two seasons he’s been injured and the team has cratered as a result.
From the time Lonzo entered the league he was taken away from running a team, and forced into a role that involved shooting. LeBron came to the Lakers and there was no longer a need for Lonzo, the point guard and decision-maker for the team. As a true traditional point guard, Lonzo would have impacted NBA teams, and would have won on par with Jason Kidd, and in the same way. Lonzo, like Jason Kidd, had the rare ability to control a game without taking a shot.
@arc2 – Two of the three Ball brothers are expected to ready and playing for their NBA teams at the start of next year. LiAngelo was never considered an NBA player by anybody but his father. He has a different body type than his brothers. However, despite his athletic limitations, LiAngelo is an absolute lights out shooter. Pops absolutely knows how to develop basketball talent. No question about that.
Lonzo Ball is the epitome of why rule changes that got rid of the big man and point guard have killed the game. Lonzo did absolutely nothing but win games with the ball in his hands controlling the tempo, and making decisions. He ultimately changed his game to become an acceptable three-point shooter, even though shooting was always his shortcoming.
I’m not questioning their talent but being forced to play with cheap shoes that caused problems with their legs. Do you remember the time one of them had their shoe completely destruct on the playing floor? Reason you see old people with bad knees and ankle problems later in life.
Do you have any evidence that it was cheap shoes and not, I don’t know, genetics? Considering they are brothers? Or are you just parroting some tired talk radio jibjab? Do you have examples of any other players with injuries from these shoes, specifically?
Lonzo has a chronic knee injury and LaMelo’s injury is his ankle. I doubt it’s genetic but I seriously doubt it’s their shoes. Zion had his show explode and he was wearing Nikes at the time. Injuries happen, nothing more.
@ChuckToad is speaking Facts
Come on lil D I know you invested all that money in Ball shoes but it looking like a real bad investment. I guess you don’t have money for rent this month. Better sell them while you can.
Low quality shoes definitely played a large role…
Among other things their dad failed at doing… Like nutrition and proper training…
Marketing was his lone skill… In a capitalist country that can take you very very far… As there are lots of fools to buy your hype…
You’re not wrong but how many other players didn’t have the benefit of proper nutrition or training. Didnt gino eat chicken mcnuggets with his trainer for years or something. Oreos? As a poor kid in Greece I doubt he was wearing performance sneakers.
Such a shame!
Dude is absolutely phenomenal!
Can’t wait to see him healthy again!!!