Carmelo Anthony raves about LaMelo Ball's leadership of the Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets' young star is proving himself as a true leader, drawing praise from one of the NBA's most respected voices.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:41am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movement and energy of a basketball game, with the players' forms deconstructed into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape.LaMelo Ball's leadership has been the driving force behind the Charlotte Hornets' resurgence this season, as the team's young star continues to elevate his game and guide his squad to the playoffs.Charlotte Today

After years of doubt, the Charlotte Hornets have emerged as one of the most impressive teams of the 2025-26 NBA season, largely thanks to the leadership and playmaking of their young star LaMelo Ball. Veteran NBA analyst Carmelo Anthony has been a vocal supporter of Ball, recently praising the 24-year-old's ability to guide the Hornets to the postseason with his exceptional court vision and winning mentality.

Why it matters

LaMelo Ball's development into an elite NBA point guard and team leader has been a long-anticipated storyline, as the Hornets have struggled to build a consistent winner around their young stars in recent years. Carmelo Anthony's endorsement of Ball's leadership qualities carries significant weight, as Anthony is one of the league's most respected voices and a future Hall of Famer himself.

The details

The Hornets got off to a slow start this season but have turned things around since January, with LaMelo Ball emerging as the driving force behind their resurgence. Ball's ability to create for his teammates and make winning plays has been crucial, helping the Hornets secure a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

  • The Hornets had a slow start to the 2025-26 season.
  • The team has played much better basketball since January 2026.

The players

LaMelo Ball

The 24-year-old point guard and star player for the Charlotte Hornets, known for his exceptional court vision, playmaking ability, and leadership on the team.

Carmelo Anthony

A future Hall of Fame NBA player and respected analyst who has been a vocal supporter of LaMelo Ball's development and leadership with the Hornets.

Kemba Walker

The former star player for the Charlotte Hornets, who was followed by LaMelo Ball as the team's franchise player.

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What they’re saying

“This is what we've been raving about watching these guys... we've been raving about LaMelo playing with that type of freedom and leadership. He's displaying that tonight.”

— Carmelo Anthony, NBA Analyst

The takeaway

LaMelo Ball's emergence as a true leader and driving force behind the Hornets' resurgence this season has been a long-awaited development, and Carmelo Anthony's praise further validates Ball's status as one of the NBA's brightest young stars. As the Hornets continue to progress, Ball's ability to guide the team with his exceptional playmaking and winning mentality will be crucial to their long-term success.