Tag: LaMelo Ball

Lonzo Ball thinks his dad’s Big Baller Brand sneakers may have led to his knee injuries

Lonzo Ball thinks it’s a possibility that LaVar’s brand caused some damage.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball has a complicated injury history that has made his professional basketball career increasingly difficult.

While he eventually resumed his time in the NBA after missing more than 1,000 days and immediately drained a 3-pointer upon his return, the details surrounding his injuries sounded gruesome.

We will never know why the former No. 2 overall pick had such a tough time with his knees. But during a recent feature by Ramona Shelburne and Jamal Collier, he was asked if wearing his family-owned Big Baller Brand played a role (via ESPN):

“I think it’s a possibility for sure, to be honest with you,” Ball said. “I wasn’t really getting hurt like that until I started wearing them.”

During the conversation, Lonzo admitted that he was interested in wearing Adidas.

He added that he was told that “nobody” wanted to partner with him, so he decided to just wear the brand. However, he described them as like “kickball” shoes.

While the brand eventually had Skechers manufacture the sneaker, Ball “wasn’t happy” with those either. He also wondered if perhaps playing on concrete while running sprints in Chino Hills played a role in his cartilage issues as well.

“I don’t feel like I would be where I’m at if I didn’t do all that stuff,” Ball said. “All the work that we put in, it could have hurt, but it also made us who we are. “

Even though he is not sure any of this was good for his knees, it is at least encouraging that Ball does not have any regrets about his decisions.

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Lonzo Ball received love from his brother LaMelo after playing his first game in almost 3 years

LaMelo tweeted his full support for Lonzo.

Chicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball returned to the court after missing more than two NBA seasons and he looked great.

Lonzo, who was selected No. 2 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, could provide a major spark to the Bulls if he returns to form this season. While he received a game ball and a standing ovation, he also got plenty of love from players in the league as well.

LONZO BALL: An NBA player should not look this good after missing nearly 3 years

That includes a shout out from Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton as well as his youngest brother, LaMelo Ball, who is one of the top young players in the NBA.

LaMelo showed some major respect for his oldest brother, Lonzo. The two will play against each other on December 30 in Charlotte and then January 17 in Chicago.

They will have two more games against each other later in the season as well.

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2024-25 Charlotte Hornets: A quick preview

Last season, the Charlotte Hornets struggled without their offensive leader, LaMelo Ball, leading to a disappointing campaign. However, the team enters this year with a projected win total of 30.5, a significant improvement from their previous two …

Last season, the Charlotte Hornets struggled without their offensive leader, LaMelo Ball, leading to a disappointing campaign. However, the team enters this year with a projected win total of 30.5, a significant improvement from their previous two seasons (21 wins in 2023-24 and 27 wins in 2022-23). This summer, they hired Charles Lee, who many considered to be one of the top upcoming head coaches. Then, the Hornets focused on upgrading their roster and acquiring valuable draft assets. They re-signed Miles Bridges to a three-year, $75 million deal, traded for Josh Green, and selected Tidjane Saluan and KJ Simpson in the draft.

While the Bridges signing was notable, the key moves came from a series of trades that provided Charlotte with much-needed flexibility. Despite being over the salary cap, the Hornets managed to acquire Green, all while adding seven second-round picks in the process. The Hornets acquired three of those second-round picks along with DaQuan Jeffries, Charlie Brown, and Duane Washington Jr. to help facilitate the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves’ trade of Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.

The team’s improvement largely hinges on the health of Ball, who played only 21 games last season but was the team’s leading scorer with 23.9 points and 8 assists per game. His return is the primary source of optimism, as the offense will once again revolve around his playmaking. Brandon Miller, named to the All-Rookie 1st Team after averaging 17.3 points per game, adds another key element to their offensive firepower. On the defensive end, Bridges and Mark Williams form a solid defensive presence, although Williams is currently sidelined with a strained tendon.

LaMelo Ball buys Cam Newton’s Charlotte condo, rides go-kart on roof

When you buy Cam Newton’s condo for $2.47 million, you better be able to take a go-kart to the roof.

Big ballers do big baller things, and LaMelo Ball is a big baller.

The Charlotte Hornets star just closed in on a pretty high-profile piece of property, purchasing a 3,300-square-foot condo in Uptown’s exclusive Trust building for $2.47 million. But it’s not only the space, the apartment and the price that makes this an interesting purchase—it’s also the previous owner.

Mecklenburg County property records show that Ball’s MB1 Enterprise completed the transaction with Agape Property Management Group LLC, headed by Cecil Newton. And yes, that’s the very Cecil Newton you probably think it is.

Ball’s new(ish) digs were previously inhabited by Carolina Panthers great Cam Newton. Newton purchased the property for $2.1 million back in 2015, the same year he signed a five-year, $103.8 million extension and dabbed his way to a near-unanimous Most Valuable Player award.

According to the Charlotte Business Journal, Ball began leasing the apartment in 2020 with a “handshake agreement” that he’d eventually buy it. Well, he did, and it seems like he’s getting his money’s worth already . . .

Oh, and that’s not the last fun tidbit about the property—as some guy named Michael Jordan also lived in that same building.

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LaVar Ball blamed LaMelo’s injury problems with the Hornets on Puma’s ‘raggedy shoes’

LaVar is back like he never left.

It’s wild that LaVar Ball was seemingly everywhere back in 2017 and 2018. But I must give him credit — he’s basically avoided the spotlight and controversy since his sons, Lonzo and LaMelo, reached the NBA.

But the outspoken basketball dad could only stay silent for so long. And as both Lonzo and LaMelo have seen promising NBA careers plagued with injury problems, LaVar has taken aim at LaMelo’s shoe supplier, Puma.

In an interview with CBS Sports, LaVar voiced his frustrations with both NBA conditioning programs and the quality of Puma’s basketball shoes. He said via CBS Sports:

“They’ve been trained hard enough? No, no, no,” he says. “Because you condition your body for running and jumping. You’ve got to condition your legs. So that’s why I always have my boys in them hills and running hard in them hills. That will make you run like a deer when you get on that court, so you won’t be getting hurt. A lot of things have to do with them raggedy shoes that Melo be wearing. Them shoes are not made the right way for him. That’s why he keeps tweaking his ankle every single time.”

Lonzo has not appeared in an NBA game since January of 2022 as he’s dealt with chronic knee issues. Lonzo, of course, started his career with a Big Baller Brand signature shoe before distancing himself from the brand amid controversy. LaMelo signed a 10-year deal with Puma in 2020 rumored to be worth $100 million. And despite his All-Star play when available, LaMelo will end his 2023-24 season with just 22 games played and 36 last season.

LOOK: LaMelo Ball’s shoes this season

Just before getting drafted by the Hornets, LaMelo Ball ditched his family’s Big Baller Brand and signed with Puma. Ball, one of the most talented young guards in the NBA, is now on his third signature shoe, the Puma MB.03.

Take a look at the different sneakers he has showcased when he’s gotten the chance to play this season.

Full injury report for Friday’s Hornets vs. Thunder matchup

Full injury report for Friday’s Hornets vs. Thunder matchup.

The Oklahoma City Thunder hopes to pick up an easy win over the lowly Charlotte Hornets on Friday. This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

The Thunder will be short-handed entering the contest. Jalen Williams (ankle sprain) and Isaiah Joe (sternum contusion) remain out as they’ll likely miss at least one more game.

Meanwhile, the Hornets could be without their franchise player. LaMelo Ball (ankle tendinopathy) is doubtful.

Other key absences include Gordon Hayward (calf strain) and Mark Williams (back recovery), who are both out. Amari Bailey (G League two-way) is also listed out.

The Thunder (33-15) continue a four-game homestand when they welcome in the Hornets (10-36) for the first matchup between both teams this season.

In their last game, OKC avoided its first three-game losing streak when it survived the absences of Jalen Williams and Isaiah Joe by grinding out a close win over the Denver Nuggets — who were without Nikola Jokic — on Monday.

Meanwhile, Charlotte continues to plummet down the standings. It’s lost five in a row with a defeat against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday being its latest contest.

Tip off from Oklahoma City is set for 7 p.m. CT.

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14 most surprising omissions (Tyrese Maxey!) from the 2024 USA Basketball men’s player pool

Unless these players denied invitations, these are some very shocking decisions by Team USA.

USA Basketball announced a 41-athlete player pool as candidates for the Paris Olympics roster. Eventually, 12 players will make the final cut.

Among the 12 names that we initially projected to make the roster after the 2023 FIBA World Cup, 11 appeared on the first list. Those players were LeBron James, Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards and Mikal Bridges.

A few notable All-Stars to also earn invitations include Chris Paul, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Paul George, Jimmy Butler, Kawhi Leonard, Donovan Mitchell, Jaylen Brown, Trae Young, Jrue Holiday, De’Aaron Fox, Tyrese Haliburton, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jarrett Allen.

The other players were Paolo Banchero, Desmond Bane, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Brunson, Alex Caruso, Aaron Gordon, Josh Hart, Tyler Herro, Chet Holmgren, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis, Austin Reaves, Duncan Robinson and Derrick White.

Two players who we did not include in our surprising omissions were Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant. While both of these players may have helped the team on the court, they have faced off-court issues that made invitations unlikely — plus Morant is currently injured.

Otherwise, these were the most surprising omissions from the list:

LaMelo Ball had an unexpectedly NSFW answer when he was asked his favorite Thanksgiving dish

LaMelo Ball said a few things he probably shouldn’t have.

It was the night before Thanksgiving and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball was asked what he was most looking forward to eating the next day.

The 22-year-old guard, who had just defeated the Pistons, finished the game with 34 points as well as 13 assists and eight rebounds. Likely feeling a bit excited by the success he enjoyed on the court, Ball may have found himself a bit lost in the moment when he was asked about the holiday.

Ball said that his favorites were chicken, turkey and ham. That was a fully normal and expected answer! But then he started to shift toward a tone a bit more likely to cause an FCC violation.

WARNING: This answer contains language not suitable for work.

It was legitimately surprising how many times Ball was able to slip up without realizing the mistake he was actively making on live TV.

Hopefully, however, he will be able to enjoy the main courses and the shmackin’ peach cobbler that clearly has him so excited.

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Rockets 128, Hornets 119: With another 20-10 game, Fred VanVleet leads way to first win

Fred VanVleet had another 20+ point and 10+ assist game and led the Rockets to their first win of the season in Wednesday’s victory over Charlotte.

Fred VanVleet led the way with 22 points and 11 assists as the Rockets (1-3) picked up their first win of the 2023-24 regular season with Wednesday’s 128-119 victory (box score) over Charlotte (1-3). Rookie guard Amen Thompson left early with a right ankle sprain.

For VanVleet, Houston’s flagship signing in 2023 free agency, it was the second time in three games he has scored 20-plus points while dishing at least 10 assists. VanVleet largely outplayed star Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, who had 19 points and 5 assists.

As a team, the Rockets made 21-of-37 from 3-point range (56.8%), which was easily their best performance of the season to date. VanVleet led the way with five makes in 10 attempts (50%).

All five of Houston’s starters scored in double figures. Other standouts from Wednesday’s game included:

  • Jalen Green: 23 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50%), 7-of-7 on free throws
  • Dillon Brooks: 20 points, 5 assists, 5 steals; 7-of-9 shooting (77.8%), 3-of-3 on 3-pointers
  • Alperen Sengun: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists; 9-of-12 shooting (75%), 1-of-1 on 3-pointers
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 17 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists; 7-of-10 shooting (70%), 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)

Here are highlights and interviews from Wednesday night, along with reaction by media members and fans. Next up for Houston as the seven-game homestand, the longest of the season, continues at Toyota Center is Saturday’s matchup versus Sacramento. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central.