5 NBA players primed for a bounce-back season in 2023
By Lior Lampert
Despite the Nuggets being crowned NBA Champions less than two months ago, the 2023-24 NBA season is quickly approaching. It is a fresh slate for every team and player, and a chance to make a statement.
NBA players primed for a bounce-back season: 5. LaMelo Ball
A former NBA Rookie of the Year and All-Star, LaMelo Ball has quickly emerged as one of the most entertaining and popular players in the NBA. However, 2022-23 was a lost season for Ball and the Hornets. In his third year as a pro, Ball shot a career-low 41.1 percent from the field while continuing to struggle immensely on the defensive end and turning the ball over at the highest rate of his career. It was also an injury-riddled season for Ball that saw him play only 36 games due to nagging ankle injuries.
Standing at 6-foot-7, Ball is a unique point guard who possesses the size and playmaking skills to see over opposing point guards and wreak havoc. He is a truly special talent that is able to do a variety of things and fill up the stat sheet in a hurry. Despite his above-average size for his position, he averaged three free throw attempts per game on 20 shots, which meant Ball was settling for a lot of contested jumpers/floaters and that led to wildly inefficient shooting nights throughout the season.
However, it was tough to pin all the blame on Ball for his decision-making. After all, the Hornets were one of the most depleted rosters in the NBA last year between injuries/suspension to Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Miles Bridges. The Hornets are prepared to be welcoming back all three of those players this upcoming season while also adding Brandon Miller and Nick Smith Jr. from this year’s NBA Draft. Having more capable playmakers out there should take some pressure off of Ball while also enabling him to operate more off the ball, which should boost his efficiency.