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Hornets coach James Borrego says the ever-improving LaMelo Ball is simply getting began.
Whereas answering a query about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s improved stage of consolation, Charlotte Hornets coach James Borrego began to wander into pondering the developmental prospects for his personal roster.
“In the event you take a look at a man like [LaMelo Ball], think about Melo in 5 years,” Borrego stated. “The quantity of reps he’s gonna have, and the best way he sees the ground now. Are you able to think about what he appears like in 5 years?”
Borrego then threw up each arms.
“Particular,” he stated. “It simply takes time to get there. He’s a lot additional forward than I even anticipated at this stage.”
Ball confirmed the world as a lot in a 127-125 loss Wednesday to Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks by racking up profession highs in factors (36) and 3-pointers (8), whereas dishing 9 assists and tallying 3 steals. Most significantly, Ball flexed poise and grit when it counted most, tying the sport at 125 with 5.9 seconds remaining, earlier than Antetokounmpo hit the game-winner on a spinning finger roll to offer Milwaukee its eighth consecutive win.
Giannis places up 40 factors, 12 rebounds and 9 assists, whereas LaMelo Ball finishes with 36 factors and 9 assists.
“He’s grown all 12 months,” Borrego stated of Ball. “He’s a improbable participant. We’re fortunate to have him, lucky to have him. In opposition to one of many elite groups, the NBA champions, on the street, his fearlessness is improbable. He’s an awesome participant. He’s solely getting higher. That is simply the tip of the iceberg. The child’s obtained a vivid, vivid future.”
The efficiency in opposition to Milwaukee marked Ball’s fourth recreation this season with 30 factors or extra, and regardless of Charlotte struggling its third consecutive loss, Borrego and the 13-11 Hornets left Fiserv Discussion board feeling optimistic in regards to the staff’s possibilities because the season progresses.
Ball has averaged 12 assists over his final 4 video games, and his unselfish play has turn into contagious. In the event you’re nerdy sufficient to drag up the hustle stats, you’d see that Ball additionally ranks tenth in deflections per game (3.1), and eighth in complete deflections (65).
“If we proceed to play like this, I really feel like we’re going to go on a win streak once more,” Hornets ahead Miles Bridges stated. “All people was sharing the ball, taking up the defensive aspect of the ball critical. As soon as we begin taking the defensive aspect significantly, that’s when we’re going to turn into a great staff and keep constant.”
Ball makes his debut on this week’s version of Kia Race to the MVP Ladder, however there’s nonetheless work left to do for the 20-year-old earlier than he can crack the Prime 10. Antetokounmpo creeps up a spot to No.3, whereas Denver Nuggets heart Nikola Jokic strikes again one slot to fourth. Atlanta’s Trae Younger lastly ascends into the Prime 10, whereas Utah’s Rudy Gobert makes his manner again into that grouping as properly.
We additionally see the return of 2018 Kia MVP James Harden to the listing.
And now, the Prime 5 this week within the 2021-22 Kia Race to the MVP Ladder:
1. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Last week’s ranking: No. 1
Season stats: 27.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 6.6 apg
Stephen Curry is called the Kia NBA Western Convention Participant of the Month in November.
It’s official: Curry watch is on, as we await the Warriors guard surpassing Ray Allen because the NBA’s all-time chief in 3-pointers made. Curry struggled in Golden State’s loss Tuesday at Phoenix, however you’ve obtained to offer credit score to the Suns’ defenders and the teaching employees for executing a strong plan for slowing down the artful sharpshooter. Curry enters Friday’s rematch in opposition to the Suns ranked second in scoring, first in 3-pointers made (108) and first in free-throw share (94.3). The Warriors personal the NBA’s finest dwelling document (11-0) and have received their final 10 video games at Chase Middle.
2. Kevin Durant, Brooklyn Nets
Last week’s ranking: No. 2
Season stats: 28.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.6 apg
Kevin Durant is called the Kia NBA Jap Convention Participant of the Month in November.
Durant nonetheless leads the league in scoring, regardless of rating simply tenth in area aim makes an attempt per recreation (19.2), and was named alongside Curry as a Kia NBA Participant of the Month for October and November. Much more spectacular is the truth that Durant is capturing a career-high 53.9% from the sector. However there are issues about Durant’s heavy workload, as his 35.8 minutes per recreation are essentially the most since 2015-16, his remaining season in Oklahoma Metropolis. Durant performed 40:30 on Tuesday in opposition to the Knicks. “It’s not perfect to have him have such a burden,” Nets coach Steve Nash stated.
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Last week’s ranking: No. 4
Season stats: 27.6 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 6.0 apg
Giannis Antetokounmpo led the best way with 40 factors in a marquee matchup with the Hornets.
Averaged 29.4 factors, 12.6 rebounds and 6.0 assists throughout Milwaukee’s eight-game successful streak, which was snapped Thursday by the Toronto Raptors as Antetokounmpo sat out attributable to a sore proper calf. The final time Antetokounmpo performed was Wednesday in opposition to Charlotte and he scored 40 factors on 15 of 24 from the sector to enhance the Bucks to 7-1 when he scores 30 factors or extra. Antetokounmpo has posted a double-double in every of the final three video games he’s performed, and Milwaukee stays undefeated (10-0) when he’s on the ground with each Khris Middleton and Jrue Vacation.
4. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Last week’s ranking: No. 3
Season stats: 25.7 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 6.4 apg
Take a look at Nikola Jokic’s high performs from the season to date.
Jokic returned to an undermanned Denver squad after lacking 4 video games attributable to harm on Monday to assist the Nuggets snap a six-game shedding streak with a win over a Miami staff enjoying with out Jimmy Butler. Then, Jokic and the Nuggets suffered their seventh loss in eight video games with a 108-103 setback Wednesday at Orlando. Jokic shot a season-low 37% from the sector within the loss to the Magic. Denver’s harm state of affairs stays one of many worst within the league, and it doesn’t look like bettering anytime quickly. So, it’s on Jokic to proceed to hold this staff.
5. Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns
Last week’s ranking: No. 5
Season stats: 14.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 10.1 apg
Check out the artful dribble strikes CP3 has been showcasing in his time with Phoenix.
Paul and the Suns began out the week knocking off a red-hot Warriors staff with the veteran level guard placing up 15 factors and 11 assists to go together with 5 steals. Paul adopted that up Thursday with a 12-point, 12-assist evening with two steals because the Suns – enjoying with out main scorer Devin Booker – defeated the Detroit Pistons to seize a franchise-record 18th consecutive win. The victory marked simply the sixth time in NBA historical past a staff completed a full calendar month undefeated. Greatest imagine Paul had quite a bit to do with that.
The Subsequent 5:
6. Jimmy Butler, Miami Warmth
7. DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
8. Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls
9. Trae Younger, Atlanta Hawks
10. Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
And 5 extra (listed alphabetically): LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks; James Harden, Brooklyn Nets; Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies.
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Michael C. Wright is a senior author for NBA.com. You may e-mail him here, discover his archive here and observe him on Twitter.
The views on this web page don’t essentially replicate the views of the NBA, its golf equipment or Turner Broadcasting.
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