Over the course of his 17-year career, LeBron James, a generation-defining superstar and one of the most versatile talents in league history, has built a legion of admirers, captivating millions across the globe with his on-court heroics. But apparently Rookie of the Year frontrunner LaMelo Ball doesn’t count himself among that contingent. When asked if he’s excited to face LeBron when the Hornets visit Los Angeles Thursday night at Staples Center, the 19-year-old Chino Hills native sounded less than enthused.
“Nah,” said Ball via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “I grew up a little different. Not really on basketball like that. So, not really.”
Ball, who leads NBA rookies in both assists and rebounds per game (he’s also second in scoring behind Minnesota’s Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards), conceded playing against James will be “cool,” though he’s approaching it like he would any other game. “I go to every game with the same approach—going in to try to get a win.”
Most players would be ecstatic—and at least slightly intimidated—to play James for the first time, but not Ball, who says he models his game, not after LeBron or Michael Jordan, but his father, LaVar. “It was my pops,” said LaMelo of his hoops idol growing up. “So, I was big on family and stuff like that. Not really with the basketball.”
Despite growing up a mere 35 miles from Staples Center, Ball’s family will not be in attendance Thursday night, owing to California’s ongoing COVID precautions. California plans to loosen some of those restrictions by allowing limited fan attendance at sporting events beginning next month, but that’s not of much interest to Ball either.
“I didn’t even know that,” admitted the 6’7” guard. “I mean, I know my people. They'll be cool watching it on TV, too. We really like chilling at the house, more with the comfortable stuff other than being out. Like, I honestly would rather watch a game at home, chilling, than going to one."
In other Ball-related news, LaMelo’s older brother and former Lakers point guard Lonzo, now of the Pelicans, set a career-high by distributing 17 assists in Tuesday night’s loss to Portland.
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