Charles Lee has high expectations for LaMelo Ball after coaching him in his first full season with the Charlotte Hornets. Ball has only played 47 regular season games since he was mostly injured, and Lee believes that his injury history is holding him back from becoming a full-fledged NBA All-Star.
Ball has only one season in which he has played at least 75 regular season games. So, during the team’s exit interviews, Lee challenged Ball to work on his durability this summer.
“He’s got to get stronger,” Lee said about Ball via Steve Reed of The Associated Press.
“He’s got to get stronger and more conditioned to be able to play both sides of the ball and sustain efforts,” he continued. “When you’re one of the best players in the league, you have to be ready for physicality. In order to combat that, you have to be stronger.”
Charlotte Hornets News: LaMelo Ball responds to Charles Lee’s offseason challenge
LaMelo Ball is in full agreement with head coach Charles Lee. After undergoing wrist and ankle surgeries, the Charlotte Hornets point guard vows to come back stronger next season.
“I definitely agree,” Ball said. “Just being in the weight room, and everything they’re saying.”
The one-time NBA All-Star finished the 2024-25 campaign averaging 25.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, 7.4 assists, and 1.1 steals on 40.5 percent shooting from the field across 47 starts. The Charlotte Hornets were the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference at 19-63.
