Enraged LaMelo Ball Vents Out Frustration at Referees After “Tough” Loss to Pistons at Home

The Charlotte Hornets had a great opening night. But the same cannot be said for tonight’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons got their first win of the season in a 111-99 victory. The veteran guard, Alec Burks led the team with 24 points, while LaMelo Ball got in 20 for the team. Even after 24 turnovers by Detroit, they still managed to tower over Ball’s Hornets by a 52-41 rebounding edge. It also helped them secure the victory.

LaMelo on the other hand, was nearing a triple-double with his 9 assists and 9 rebounds. But what got to Ball was the Pistons’ signature move – get physical. And he did not stay quiet.

LaMelo Ball is frustrated with the Pistons’ physical play

The game was completely Pistons-infested. There were 52 fouls called and a lot of players ended up sprawling on the hardwood rather than upright. Mostly, the Hornets. And when they tried to employ the same tactic, LaMelo’s team was called out on foul play. Talking to the media post-game, he says, “It’s definitely going to throw you off.”

Well, when the opposing team takes out the competition one by one, and you give them a taste of their own medicine; only to be thrown to the dogs. Of course, it would throw you off. But as LaMelo said, this is a lesson. And lessons can provide valuable insights. These insights can prove to be the Achilles heel for your foe next time.

But the Hornets had their highs too. 2023 first-round pick, Brandon Miller was in great form tonight. The slow-moving Hornets got an energy boost with Miller’s 17 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists. Their coach, Steve Clifford said, “He can score in a lot of different ways. I don’t look at him … as inexperienced … we’re lucky to have him. He’s going to be on the floor.” 

So, the Hornets are not entirely helpless. They need to be just more prepared to deal with some of the more aggressive opponents. Not that there is another team like the Detroit Pistons yet.

The Hornets have big goals for this season

On media day, Coach Clifford had laid it out on the table that Charlotte’s goal was to make the playoffs. Those are some big promises to hand out. Considering that the Hornets, as of 2023, will become the oldest team in among all the North American professional sports to never win a division title.

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On the marketing side, the Hornets seem to have made a deal that is widely used in other businesses. Collaborating with a content creator to possibly secure future fans. Whatever their explanation behind the deal, at the end of the day, the fans need to see that the team they are screaming hoarse for is putting in some effort. The talent is not the problem. They have a young and talented core. With veteran forward Gordon Hayward, LaMelo Ball, Rozier and P.J. Washington, the Hornets have enough for a solid core.

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Apart from that, injuries have proved to be a problem for Charlotte. LaMelo himself only played 36 games last season. With Bridges’ suspension and case, that’s another viable talent just being a sitting duck. Hayward has also struggled with lower minutes on-court and fewer games in a year.

So there you go. If Clifford can keep his best players on-court this season, there is a very real chance that his promise wasn’t empty words.