Can the Hornets Become Playoff Contenders with Their Starting Point Guard as Their Best Player?

The Charlotte Hornets are playing their final preseason game tonight against the New York Knicks. After picking up wins against the Mavericks and Grizzlies, the Hornets will look to end their preseason on a three-game winning streak and head into the regular season with some momentum. One of the biggest questions heading into the regular season is the health and play of LaMelo Ball. The California native has been the Hornets' star player since being drafted by the team in 2020. However, being the face of the franchise comes with expectations, and those have not been met by the star point guard. Ball’s career has been a rollercoaster up to this point, as he has flashed moments of playing at a high level on the court, but has also been bitten by the injury bug for the majority of his career so far. Due to his share of injuries and inconsistency, the Hornets are left with a lingering question: Can they be contenders with Ball being their best player?

His skillset is undeniable. He is a highlight reel waiting to happen, with the alley-oops and the 30-foot pull-ups, and you do not want to be defending him when he is in transition. However, his injury history may cap the Hornets' ceiling at either Play-In Game contention or being on the outside looking in. It’s like the old saying, “Your best ability is your availability.” Charlotte needs the six-foot-seven guard to remain on the court to give the Hornets the best chance to win games. In the offseason, head coach Charles Lee has praised Ball for his improved conditioning and communication. The 23-year-old is taking the necessary steps to grow as a player, but he now has to do this consistently.

When he plays, the offense is more cohesive and faster. However, his style of play also limits him because he takes too many contested outside shots and does not draw as many fouls as he could. When those outside shots are falling, it's good for the offense, but when they are not, it is deflating. His defense is also inconsistent because there are moments when he has quick hands and can pick off the ball from anyone, but there are also moments when Ball is inattentive to closeouts, and he has a hard time with physical guards. So, his defense remains a work in progress.

LaMelo Ball possesses all the tools necessary to become a great player in Charlotte. However, to become contenders, Ball must be available to play and take the next step in his career by staying healthy, adjusting his style of play slightly, and becoming a consistent defender on the court. If the 2020-21 Rookie of the Year plays 60 or more games, then the Hornets are looking to contend for the Play-In game or the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference; if not, then they will most likely be looking at sitting in the bottom of the East again. This shows how crucial the young guard is to the Hornets, even with the surrounding cast around him; Charlotte needs its best player to help it reach the level it wants to reach. However, if he does not, then the team will have to ask itself, can they be contenders with him, or will they have to move on from the talented, but flawed player?