LaMelo Ball has never been just another guard in the league. Right away in Charlotte, his play caught eyes with flair and bold choices, lighting up the court. Though the Hornets often sit low in rankings, Ball still pulls focus night after night. A regular sequence can shift suddenly under his touch, becoming something sharp and sudden. Few bring that spark so reliably.
But after Charlotte’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 23, 2025, the focus shifted away from highlights and toward something more profound. This time, the conversation centered on Ball’s long-term direction. One NBA legend made it clear that talent alone is no longer the question. The real question is what Ball ultimately values most as his career moves forward.
Isiah Thomas Delivers a Reality Check to LaMelo Ball After Cavs-Hornets Matchup
The stance was conveyed during the Peacock broadcast following the Cavs-Hornets game. The HOF point guard Isiah Thomas used the moment to challenge LaMelo Ball’s approach, not by criticizing his skill. Also questioning the mentality that separates entertainers from true winners. He said that comes from experience, having lived on both sides of that divide during his own career.
Thomas reminded viewers that respect in the NBA changes once winning becomes the priority. Popular players receive praise, but feared players force opponents to adjust. That transition often requires embracing discomfort, physical play, and a level of edge that does not always earn approval around the league. According to Thomas, Ball is approaching that crossroads.
The veteran bluntly said, “Do I want to win, or do I want to be liked? We love him; everybody likes him. He walks into the room and lights it up. All the players around the league like him. When they start hating him and disliking him, that’s when he’ll start winning.”
🗣️ Isiah Thomas on LaMelo Ball: "Do I want to win, or do I want to be liked?"
"We love him; everybody likes him. He walks into the room, lights it up. All the players around the league like him. When they start hating him and disliking him, that's when he'll start winning." 🤔 pic.twitter.com/mAjlq9AUfb
— r/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) December 23, 2025
The perspective carries weight because Thomas understands the cost of winning at the highest level. As the leader of the Bad Boys Pistons, he became one of the league’s most disliked stars, yet that edge helped deliver two championships and the 1990 Finals MVP. Award. His point was not about image. It was about sacrifice.
That context matters for a Hornets team still searching for consistency. Since Ball entered the league, Charlotte has crossed the 30-win mark only once. Injuries have also slowed his progress, as he has appeared in more than 51 games in a season just one time across his first five years. Availability and leadership remain tied to the franchise’s ceiling.
Against Cleveland, Ball showed both growth and limitations. He finished with 23 points and nine. With twenty-three points and nine assists, he started strong, pushing the pace while getting Miller and Knueppel into rhythm as Charlotte opened ahead. Still, gaps on defense and messy decisions down the stretch gave Cleveland room to surge past.
Thomas’ message lingers because it speaks to what comes next. LaMelo Ball already has the league’s attention. The next step is deciding whether he wants the respect that can only be earned by winning.
