105 Games in Three Years! LaMelo Ball at 23: The Most Overrated Player in the NBA?

LaMelo Ball’s third season in the NBA was supposed to be the year he made the leap—solidifying his spot as one of the league’s brightest young stars. Unfortunately, another year, another season-ending injury for the 23-year-old point guard from the Charlotte Hornets. As reported by the Hornets, LaMelo will undergo surgery on his right ankle and shoulder, officially sidelining him for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. This marks the third consecutive year that Ball has been forced to end his campaign prematurely, raising a troubling question: has LaMelo Ball become one of the most overrated players in the NBA?

To understand why the label of "overrated" may apply to Ball, we need to take a closer look at his career trajectory so far. Over the past three seasons, LaMelo has appeared in just 105 games. This is a paltry number for a player who entered the NBA with so much promise. For comparison, his draft classmates, such as Anthony Edwards, have played a staggering 229 games over the same span. Edwards, the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, has played nearly double the amount of games as LaMelo in this same period, and that doesn’t even count the postseason. Zion Williamson, another player with a reputation for injuries, has played 129 games in that time, 24 more than Ball. Even Kawhi Leonard, often labeled as a “load management” king, has managed to play 150 games over the past three seasons, which is significantly more than Ball.

The fact that LaMelo’s injury woes have become a recurring theme raises a serious concern about his durability. Despite flashes of brilliance, including impressive performances such as a 50-point, 5-rebound, 10-assist game, and a 44-point, 9-rebound, 7-assist game, LaMelo has yet to prove that he can stay healthy for a full season. In fact, his injury history—centered around ankle problems—has become a significant hindrance to his development. Missing so many games over the course of his young career not only affects his individual growth but also limits his ability to lead the Hornets to meaningful victories.

This season alone, LaMelo appeared in just 47 games before being sidelined by his latest injury. In those 47 games, he posted career-high averages of 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists. While these numbers are undoubtedly impressive, they don’t tell the whole story. His shooting efficiency was a glaring weakness, as he posted a field goal percentage of just 40.5% and a three-point percentage of 33.9%. His true shooting percentage of 53.6% is far from elite, and his turnover rate has been concerning, averaging 3.6 turnovers per game, which is a career worst. To make matters worse, the Hornets’ performance on the court has been far from stellar. Despite LaMelo’s individual stats, Charlotte has lost 31 of the 47 games he played in this season. The Hornets’ offensive rating plummets when LaMelo is on the court, as the team’s net rating drops by 3.9 points per 100 possessions.

It’s not just the numbers that raise questions about LaMelo’s future as the face of the Hornets—it's the larger picture of his inability to translate individual talent into team success. The Hornets have been stuck in mediocrity since LaMelo’s arrival, failing to make the playoffs and rarely even challenging for a play-in spot. The idea of LaMelo being the cornerstone of a rebuilding franchise seems increasingly dubious. For a player with such a high usage rate, his lack of efficiency and inability to lead the team to wins has drawn the ire of critics. This is especially apparent when comparing him to his peers. While Edwards and other stars of the same draft class have led their teams to success, LaMelo’s career has been derailed by injuries and inconsistent play. Despite his highlight-reel plays and flashy passes, his impact on winning remains limited.

LaMelo’s struggles are not just confined to his injury history and shooting inefficiencies. At 23, he still hasn’t figured out how to consistently elevate his team or make those around him better. In his five seasons with the Hornets, LaMelo has yet to reach the postseason, and it’s hard to envision a path to the playoffs with him as the leader, especially if his performance and health continue to be unpredictable. The glaring truth is that LaMelo’s scoring may look impressive on paper, but it doesn’t translate to tangible team success. The Hornets remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and Ball’s individual stats haven’t been enough to change that.

One of the key criticisms of LaMelo’s game is his inability to balance scoring and efficiency. Even though he’s capable of putting up big numbers, his efficiency has always been subpar. His career-best true shooting percentage is only 56.1%, which is merely average by NBA standards. The question must be asked: Can LaMelo become a true superstar if he doesn’t learn how to improve his shooting and playmaking efficiency? He’s shown that he can score in bunches, but at what cost? His turnover rate and shot selection often put his team in a difficult position, and his high usage rate doesn’t seem justified by his efficiency.

Another issue with LaMelo is his tendency to fall short in the leadership department. While he is undoubtedly talented, the Hornets have not seen any tangible results from his presence on the court. The lack of success with LaMelo at the helm raises doubts about his ability to carry a team to the postseason, something that every young star is ultimately judged by. As a point guard, Ball has yet to show that he can truly control the tempo of a game and make those around him better. His assists are often eye-popping, but they haven’t led to consistent team success. It’s one thing to make spectacular passes, but it’s another to orchestrate wins. LaMelo hasn’t done enough of the latter, and that is why many have begun to question his future as the franchise player for Charlotte.

Despite his status as one of the most marketable young players in the NBA, LaMelo’s on-court performance doesn’t always back up the hype. His flashy style and natural charisma have garnered him a massive fanbase, but the reality is that his impact on winning remains minimal. Even during his high-scoring stretches this season, the Hornets struggled to stay competitive. This leads us to wonder if LaMelo has become one of the most overrated players in the league. While he certainly has potential, it’s fair to say that the hype surrounding him may not be fully justified until he proves that he can stay healthy and lead a team to success.

As we look ahead to the rest of LaMelo’s career, it’s clear that he has a lot to prove. His next steps are crucial, as he needs to not only improve his efficiency but also show that he can stay on the floor for a full season. If he continues to struggle with injuries and efficiency, it will be difficult for anyone to view him as anything more than a talented player who failed to live up to his potential. The clock is ticking on LaMelo Ball, and unless he can find a way to stay healthy and improve his game, the narrative around him could shift from "future superstar" to "overhyped disappointment." The Hornets’ future, and his own, depend on his ability to prove that he’s more than just another flash-in-the-pan talent.