Twitter: @ZachSelwyn1
“The boy’s blessed, yeah heaven-sent/Black Lamb, Never pay the rent…”
- Lonzo Ball, “LaMelo Ball”
In 2017, second overall NBA draft pick Lonzo Ball dropped a surprisingly dope hip hop song about his young brother LaMelo Ball called simply, “LaMelo Ball.” After 30-million-plus streams on YouTube, people took away two things from this jam:
- 16-year-old LaMelo Ball is supposed to be even better than his older brother Lonzo and was already living a life full of shoe deals, Lamborghinis, and 92-point games with a bright NBA future ahead of him.
- Lonzo Ball was actually a pretty decent rapper.
LaMelo Ball and the 2020-21 NBA Rookie Class
In 2021, one of those facts turned out to be true. LaMelo Ball is turning heads, filling stat sheets, and has become a regularly featured highlight reel on IG apps, ESPN highlights, and @Ballislife accounts. His record-breaking season includes being the youngest NBA player to ever record a triple-double, rookie of the month for January 2021, youngest to hit 7 three-pointers in a game, and he has the Charlotte Hornets at 13-15 competing for a playoff spot. LaMelo Ball is above and beyond any other rookie in the 2020 class, and it isn’t even close. Lonzo Ball, meanwhile, dropped a few more unmemorable songs, including a less-than-average “freestyle” video where LaMelo steals the show by pulling out $200 shoes in the back seat the entire time Lonzo “spits” mediocrity – and ended up becoming a serviceable but not dynamic point guard on the Pelicans.
For basketball fans, the rise of LaMelo Ball should come as no surprise. LaVar Ball had this kid in the spotlight at age 14, screaming at him that he would, “Never be Lonzo” if he didn’t step up his effort and dedication. He had him pulled from high school and playing in a professional league overseas at age 16. He dominated the Junior Basketball Association (a league started by LaVar) at 17. And then he spent a year in Australia with the pro team Illawarra Hawks. This unique college-less road to the NBA will become much more common now after seeing what playing against higher competition has done for the young man’s game. Compared to all rookies to get run in the NBA this season, nobody has been as good or consistent as LaMelo Ball.
LaMelo Ball in Charlotte
Lonzo and LaMelo are the first set of brothers to be picked in the top five in the NBA draft. Many back then – including Paul Pierce – thought LaMelo should have gone at #1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves instead of college standout Anthony Edwards. (For the record, the Wolves did everything in their power to trade this pick, but had no takers.) The Golden State Warriors did not need a player like Ball with Steph still doing Steph things in the Bay. So he dropped to third and has since become Charlotte’s best-looking young player since friggin’ Larry Johnson. (Sorry Kemba Walker.)
To top that off, LaMelo was doing his damage off the bench. Now, inserted into the starting lineup, LaMelo is averaging 22 PPG, 6 assists, and 5 rebounds. His passing game is electric, his shot falls way more than anybody thought it would, and his rebounding ability has surprised even his head coach, James Borrego. He catches you off-guard with controlled dribbling, acceleration, full-court baseball passes, and behind-the-back dishes and lobs to Devonte’ Graham and Miles Bridges. Speaking of Bridges, Ball is turning him into a star himself the way Magic Johnson made everybody around him so much better by just being open and in the right place. THAT is what defines a future NBA superstar, folks, and right now the Ball-Bridges-Graham-Hayward show is awfully fun to watch.
By the way, the Ball-Bridges duo was seeking out nickname online. I threw out the following rejected monikers:
- Melo-Miles
- Bridges Over LaMelo Water
- LaMelo the Bridge Downtown… (Sung to “Under the Bridge” by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
But, then, the Airbnb Twitter account suggested the nickname “AirBnB.” Yep. PERFECT.
Other Standout Rookies
So what about the other rookies in this class of 2020? First of all, the draft was bent from the beginning with the COVID-19 protocols in place, no March Madness, no workout travel, etc. Most people thought it would be a bust of a year. But, as usual, when you look at those “Re-Picking the 2020 NBA Draft” charts that are constantly posted online, you actually see a flurry of decent players who will be in the league for a long time.
Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton entered the impressive rookie picture after the Sacramento Kings lost me money on a bet – mostly due to this young stud. He is averaging 17/5/3, and when he plays well, the Kings often WIN. They lucked into this diamond in the rough at pick #12 and looking back, this 6’5” point guard went way too late in the draft.
James Wiseman
Wiseman will be a good NBA player. He is learning from the best with the Golden State Warriors and looks to have been the right pick for this team at the moment. Of course, he’s been hampered by injury and has had some trouble getting to his spots, but he’s got some growing to do.
Anthony Edwards
Top pick Edwards has been inconsistent this season, but has shown flashes of greatness. He can drive, finish, and shoot but occasionally gets in his head when he misses too many shots. I like Edwards’ game, but in my mind, he’s a less talented Haliburton – and may go the way of the Josh Jackson-Stanley Johnson types of the NBA.
The Rest of the Rookie Class
The rest of the rookie class rounds out somewhat evenly.
The Bulls took Patrick Williams at 4, and he’s becoming more comfortable as well in his low post role. He’s being aggressive around the rim with the ball. And the Bulls have to be happy they got a PF for the next few seasons.
Knicks draft pick Obi Toppin had Manhattan excited, but he’s been hit with the injury thing too. The good news is that their pick at #22, Emmanuel Quickley, has shown flashes of greatness and may be one of those late first-rounders who becomes an NBA stud.
Guard-wise, there is no shortage of ballers in this class, with Cole Anthony showing us why he was so hyped while back in high school, Desmond Bane looking like a future starting SG in the league, and Saddiq Bey, Kira Lewis Jr., and Houston’s Jae’Sean Tate playing well in backup roles as well.
NBA Fans Want Stars… Like LaMelo Ball
But this isn’t a league full of mediocre talent. The fans want stars and LaMelo Ball thus far is the only star player in this draft class. (For now.) For those of us who have followed the Ball family since their reality TV series, LaVar’s antics, claims he would have beaten Michael Jordan in a one-on-one, arguments with Stephen A. Smith, Lonzo’s LA tenure, and LiAngelo’s arrest in China that ended his career at UCLA, the development of LaMelo Ball is a welcome relief. He’s always been the one who had the goofy smile, big dyed floppy hair, shaved eyebrow, and GAME to back it up. Now that he is the most exciting thing about the young NBA this season, we all feel like our little boy is all grown up – and it’s nice to watch him bring a winning culture to Charlotte.
Team owner Michael Jordan must be ecstatic when he sees LaMelo bringing eyes to the Hornets franchise. Their jersey sales are skyrocketing and the league is paying attention… Now let’s just see if Michael will take up LaVar’s challenge to go one-on-one against him… My guess is LaVar will lose badly and shout, “You’ll never be Lonzo” at the G.O.A.T.
Maybe now, however, he should be shouting, “You’ll never be ‘Melo…”
