Hornets reporter Rod Boone delivers content you can't get anywhere else, from deep-dive analysis of the young core to the latest locker room buzz. A Charlotte Observer subscription gives you the best access to breaking news and exclusive player interviews. By DIAMOND VENCES
LaMelo Ball’s trademark jumper was on display again Sunday night in the desert.
Thanks to Peacock, a nationally-televised audience got to witness the Charlotte Hornets star hoist them from a variety of spots on the Mortgage Matchup Center.
“Some people see some of the one-footed threes and they are kind of like, ‘Uh,’” coach Charles Lee said. “But he works on them, he practices them and I believe it’s going in every time he shoots it.”
Ball began hot and the Hornets seemed to be on their way to keeping the good times during their recent excursions going. But some stagnation, frequent offensive cold snaps and too many turnovers doomed the Hornets in a 111-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Brandon Miller of the Charlotte Hornets reacts to a foul call during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center. Christian Petersen Getty Images
That snapped Charlotte’s franchise-record 10-game road winning streak.
“The whole night, they (the Suns) really amped up their physicality,” Lee said. “Early in the game we had a nice rhythm going, and then all of the sudden as they got down they just started being a little bit more active.
“Their overall defensive activity was the thing that bothered us the most.”
Ball’s performance was emblematic of the Hornets (32-33) as a whole.
After beginning 3-for-4 from the field, he made only one of his next seven attempts prior to heating up again en route to connecting on 9 of 19 shots and tossing in a team-best 22 points.
Still, Ball — who’s seventh in the NBA in assists at 7.3 per game — is affecting the game without taking the same volume of shot attempts he did during his initial five seasons.
Jalen Green of the Phoenix Suns drives the ball past LaMelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Christian Petersen Getty Images
Ball is one of four players averaging at least 15 points, seven assists and three made 3-pointers per game this season, joining Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, Cleveland’s James Harden and Denver’s Jamal Murray.
“He’s done a phenomenal job this year of just playing off of his teammates,” Lee said. “It’s good to see his shot distribution, shot profile change a little with the addition of Kon (Knueppel), and having Brandon (Miller) out there a little bit more and Miles (Bridges) and these other guys kind of stretch the floor for him.
“I’ve loved seeing him get a couple of catch-and-shoots and then from there, once he sees a couple go in that’s when he starts getting the off-the-dribble threes and the stepback three in an iso situation.”
Here’s what else the Hornets had to say of note in Phoenix:
On Moussa Diabate’s defensive improvement
“His motor is incredible,” Lee said. “His energy level, his competitiveness allows him to just be everywhere on the floor at all times. And it’s been great for us. It becomes contagious if you have a guy like that that’s out there giving it his all you’re like, ‘Hey, I’ve got to keep up with that guy.’
“That’s where you need more people that think like Moussa, play defense like Moussa, that have the versatility. As much as he can switch, he can also play centerfield and he can also do other things. He’s coming over and blocking shots and helping us rebound. We are super grateful to have a guy like that, that really makes it a contagious edge for our group.”
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns attempts a shot against Moussa Diabate of the Charlotte Hornets during the first half of the NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Christian Petersen Getty Images
On the Hornets’ gap defense
“We talk a ton about defense at practice,” Lee said. “Our assistant coaches do defensive work during their individual workouts and I think we are just starting to see the fruits of our labor. Everyone has been more engaged, more competitive, more intentional with their activity defensively.
“A lot of times we were in the right spots early on. And now we’re in the right spots but also adding some activity with it. In our pick-and-roll defense, we are closing the gap a little bit more and actually trying to seal some of the passes … So our overall engagement and intentionality has gotten better.”
On Ryan Kalkbrenner
“Ryan was a force defensively,” Lee said, “trying to come over and block some shots and help us rebound, screening. And his seam reads and offensive rebounding was really good. He gave us a threat in the paint.”
On trying to turn it around in Portland on Tuesday
“We’ve just got to continue to stay together, focus on the right things,” Lee said. “Focus on all the great habits that we have built and we just kind of let go of it a little bit (Sunday) in some of the more adverse situations. Our group always responds, so looking forward to getting after it in the next game.”