"There's a reason Michael Jordan didn't pass" - Former Warriors guard links LaMelo Ball led Hornets struggles to MJ’s ’86-’87 Bulls

Former Golden State Warriors star Gilbert Arenas compared Charlotte Hornets (6-13) star LaMelo Ball to the 1986-87 version of Michael Jordan. Ball is having one of the best years of his career, averaging 31 points. However, his production has not translated into wins for the Hornets.

Ball's numbers have reached career highs because of a lack of help on the team, according to Arenas. Speaking about Jordan's third season in the NBA, when he led the Bulls to a 40-42 record and averaged 37 points per game, the former NBA player went on.

At that time, Jordan didn't have players like Scottie Pippen, Ron Harper and Dennis Rodman to help him win titles.

​

​

“What LaMelo’s doing is exactly how basketball was played back in the day,” Arenas said. “When your team’s sorry, the stars just shoot the ball. Stop passing to these bad a** players. Stop passing it to them for them to just chuck shots up, the star player, you take all the shots.

“There’s a reason Michael Jordan didn’t pass it to motherf*****g BJ Armstrong. Remember Jordan, when he got there, it was a bunch of coke heads. Then they’re like, ‘Oh s**t, he averaging 37, you gotta get rid of these motherf*****s, bring them in, bring them out.’ Then you build a dynasty, that’s what happened.

“Jordan averaged 37, why? Because everybody else was motherf*****g [high].

Arenas said the Hornets have started to build around Ball. After drafting Brandon Miller with their second pick in 2023 and has evolved into the team's second-best scorer. This season, Miller is averaging 19.9 points on 37.4% from three.

Arenas mentioned that the third option for the Hornets' star duo would complete the team.

---

A former Hornets star argued he had a tougher time reaching 50 points than LaMelo Ball

Former NBA star and current assistant coach for the Hornets Kemba Walker had a funny take on LaMelo Ball's recent 50-point performance. On Nov. 23, Ball scored 50 points in a 125-119 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks. Following the game, Walker was asked about his thoughts on Charlotte's star guard.

According to Walker, he had a harder time scoring 50 points because of his height. The four-time All-Star is listed at 5-foot-11, which he said was a significant disadvantage in scoring. Ball, on the other hand, stands at 6-foot-7, taller than usual point guards in the NBA.

​

However, Walker's height did not hinder him from reaching the 50-point mark twice, including a game against the Philadelphia 76ers where he scored 60 points.

​