MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – MARCH 03: Coach Chris Finch of the Minnesota Timberwolves looks like … [+]
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Since he had never played a full season of college or professional basketball entering the NBA, question marks hung over LaMelo Ball and how he would move to the NBA.
But halfway through his rookie season, the 20-year-old Ball has allayed all doubts and gained a huge fan base in a man named Michael Jordan.
“I think Melo has transitioned to a better NBA game than any of us ever thought of this early in his career,” Jordan Hornets majority owner Jordan told the Associated Press in an email. “It’s gone higher than we expected so far this season.”
The overall pick at No. 3 in last year’s NBA Draft, Ball leads all rookies in points (15.8), assists (6.3), rebounds (6) and steals (1.6) every game.
Per ESPN, Ball is in some company strong. Every other NBA-led rookie in points, rebounds and assists at the All-Star break has earned Rookie of the Year honors:
Alvan Adams, 1975-76
Oscar Robasdan, 1960-61
Wilt Chamberlain, 1959-60
Elgin Baylor, 1958-59
Bob Pettit, 1954-55
“Right now, the way things look, he looks like the rookie of the year to me,” said Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle. “It does it statistically, their team wins. He has energy, he has a baby, he is a swagger. If you enjoy watching talented players, that’s fine. ”
Perhaps more importantly, the Hornets, who have made just three playoff appearances since Jordan became a majority owner in 2010, 17-18 enter the All-Star break, just a game on behind the Boston Celtics fourth place in the Eastern Conference. The last time Charlotte won a series of playoffs was in 2002, when Jordan was still an active player.
Now Ball on Jordan and the Hornets are dreaming of greater postseason success.
“He’ll be here for a long time, your boys will talk about Melo for a long time,” Carmelo Anthony told reporters.
The Associated Press issued a statement.