LaMelo Ball must ‘get stronger,’ Hornets coach Charles Lee says

Charlotte Hornets head coach Charles Lee said point guard LaMelo Ball must get stronger in the off-season. The Hornets could not qualify for the playoffs after having a 19-63 record in the regular season.

“He’s got to get stronger,” Lee said Monday following the team’s exit interviews.

It was noted that opposing teams were physical against LaMelo Ball and he didn’t have many answers when the opponents used hand and body checks.

“Teams are trying to deny him, trying to be physical, and you can see early in the year when teams did it, it definitely bothered him,” Lee said. “As he got used to it, he got a lot more comfortable, so it’s going to start with his body. He’s got to get stronger and more conditioned to be able to play both sides of the ball and sustain efforts. … When you’re one of the best players in the league, you have to be ready for physicality. In order to combat that, you have to be stronger.”

Ball also concurred with his coach and agreed he needs to put on some weight and muscle to keep the opposition at bay.

“I definitely agree,” Ball said. “Just being in the weight room, and everything they’re saying.”

Ball averaged a career-high 25.2 points this season, along with 7.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds per game and he is definitely going to hold the key for Charlotte Hornets.

Hornets general manager Jeff Peterson said Ball is an incredible competitor and he would look to bounce back strongly in the next season.

“Is it where we want it to be? No. Is it where he wants it to be? No. LaMelo is an incredible competitor, and he knows that in order for us to have the best chance to win and get to where we want to go, he has to be on the floor,” Peterson said. “We’re providing every resource, and again, he’s putting the time in and taking ownership in it. We’re happy the season is over in that regard and he’s able to ramp up and have a healthy start to the season next year.”