Charles Lee delivered a transparent mandate to Charlotte Hornets’ franchise cornerstone LaMelo Ball throughout Monday’s exit interviews, emphasizing the necessity for bodily growth heading into subsequent season.
“He is acquired to get stronger,” Lee acknowledged plainly when discussing offseason priorities for the 6-foot-7, 190-pound level guard. Lee famous that opposing groups repeatedly deployed extra bodily defensive methods towards Ball all through the season, utilizing hand checks on the perimeter and bodying him on drives to disrupt his effectiveness.
Ball’s defensive vulnerabilities have been additionally exploited as groups regularly focused him, attacking off the dribble and backing him down within the publish. Whereas Ball struggled with foul bother early within the season, Lee acknowledged enchancment in his defensive play because the 12 months progressed.
“Groups are attempting to disclaim him, making an attempt to be bodily, and you’ll see early within the 12 months when groups did it, it undoubtedly bothered him,” Lee defined. “As he acquired used to it, he acquired much more comfy, so it will begin along with his physique. He is acquired to get stronger and extra conditioned to have the ability to play either side of the ball and maintain efforts… While you’re among the finest gamers within the league, you must be prepared for physicality.”
“I undoubtedly agree,” Ball stated. “Simply being within the weight room, and every little thing they’re saying.”
Ball’s availability stays probably the most urgent concern for Charlotte. Regardless of averaging a career-high 25.2 factors this season together with 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds, Ball has participated in simply 56% of the franchise’s 410 video games over his 5 NBA seasons attributable to persistent accidents, primarily involving his ankles and ft. His final three seasons have all concluded with surgical procedures.
Hornets normal supervisor Jeff Peterson characterised Ball’s 47 video games performed this season as progress in comparison with the 36 and 22 appearances within the two earlier campaigns. “Is it the place we wish it to be? No. Is it the place he desires it to be? No,” Peterson acknowledged. “LaMelo is an unimaginable competitor, and he is aware of that to ensure that us to have one of the best probability to win and get to the place we need to go, he needs to be on the ground.”
Peterson confirmed that Ball “completely” will likely be prepared for coaching camp following surgical procedures on his proper ankle and proper wrist.
Ball, represented by agent Sam Permut, stays beneath contract with the Hornets by the 2028-29 season after signing a five-year extension in 2023.
