LaMelo Ball is entering his sixth NBA season, and it’s going to be a pivotal one for the young star. His first five campaigns have seen him win ROTY and make an All-Star team, but not much more. Ball’s become the main man on the Charlotte Hornets, but still hasn’t managed to lead them to the playoffs.
This season doesn’t appear to be much different. The Hornets have begun the year 2-3, including a huge loss against the Miami Heat on Tuesday. They were blown out despite Ball racking up 20 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. And he was obviously frustrated, making an obscene gesture that has now cost him.
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“Charlotte Hornets star point guard LaMelo Ball was fined $35,000 for making an obscene gesture on the court during the Hornets’ 144-117 loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday night,” the ESPN report explained.
“Ball was whistled for an offensive foul on a drive and made the hand gesture after the call and was assessed a technical foul with 4:02 remaining in the fourth quarter in Miami.”
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Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball dribbles the basketball as Miami Heat forward Andrew Wiggins defends. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Ball, as they say, ‘flipped the bird,’ and it seems the NBA thinks it was towards the referees. A fine seems fairly straightforward for this behaviour, even if fans might find it understandable. It’s unlikely to rattle LaMelo too much; he’s enjoying a stellar start to the year, averaging 26.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 9.5 assists per game.
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