This is a tough label for Charlotte Hornets star LaMelo Ball.
Is Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball the most overrated player in the NBA?
NBA analyst Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks so.
"Despite possessing some of the deepest range in the business, he's just average in accuracy (career 36.5 percent) due to his wildly ambitious shot selection," Bailey wrote. "His handles are flashy, but he's not a good finisher to really maximize them (career 42 field-goal percentage). And he's never earned a ton of trips to the foul line (career 3.7 per outing). He makes preternatural-type passes, but he also takes a lot of unnecessary risks, resulting in a good-not-great 7.5 assists against 3.4 turnovers. His (trendy) 6'7" frame makes him a plus-rebounder at his position, but it's never done much for his defense.
"And his overall approach on the court is constantly questioned. Earlier this season, one Western Conference scout said Ball 'doesn't take basketball seriously enough,' per ESPN's Tim Bontemps. In case that wasn't damning enough, a 'prominent cap person' called him 'the most unserious player in the NBA,' insider Jake Fischer told a B/R live stream. Ball's aesthetically pleasing play style and gargantuan social media presence will always make him worth a watch, but there are just way too many empty calories in his basketball diet.
Ball has appeared in 25 games for the Hornets this season. He's averaging 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 8.2 assists per game while shooting 40.9% from the field, 36.5% from beyond the arc and 86.9% from the free-throw line.
The Hornets selected Ball with the third overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. The franchise hasn't made the playoffs with Ball and has had just one winning season with the All-Star point guard.
Ball holds career averages of 20.9 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, but the Hornets are only 107-149 when the California native plays.
Many people who cover the NBA believe the Hornets should trade Ball to open up more shots for Brandon Miller and Kon Knueppel. Ball has been in trade rumors this season, so we could see a trade happen.