The Charlotte Hornets lost 103-132 to the Atlanta Hawks in the playoffs this season, and LaMelo Ball’s season officially came to an end. At the age of 20, he averaged 20.1 points, 7.6 assists and 6.7 rebounds per game, the second player in league history other than “The Emperor” LeBron James.
The Hornets were beaten by the Pacers last year, losing 27 points in the playoffs and missing out on a playoff ticket. The team then posted the score of the game on the door of the lounge, inspiring players to work hard to prevent the same thing from happening once more. But this team is still too young and has a lot to improve. They lost 29 points in the playoffs this season.
Although the team has no way to go further, the Hornets have been able to determine the core of their future. After joining as the third pick in 2020, Ball has continued to grow this year and has become an indispensable member of the team, scoring, rebounding and assisting. Growth, especially the improvement in three-point shooting, has made him more efficient on the offensive end.
According to NBA statistics, at the age of 20, the player who averaged more than 20 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game was the only player in the history of the league before James. And at the end of the season, Ball joined the former in achieving this remarkable achievement.
James joined the NBA in the name of “The Chosen Son” back then. Under enormous pressure from the outside world, he averaged 27.2 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game in his second season, proving his strength.
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