More than two weeks after it was announced that the Minnesota Timberwolves would be acquiring star point guard LaMelo Ball, the trade finally became official on Friday. That now allows the Timberwolves to talk about it, and that’s what Chris Finch did.
Finch sat down with Jake Fischer and Marc Stein on Bleacher Report’s Insider Notebook and spoke about what Ball brings to the club.
“We felt that the fit with Anthony was ideal as well as our other guys.” Finch said. “You get a chance to bring in a guy in here who was at the heart of a ton of success last season. He put together a healthy campaign..he’s really excited to join a team that is poised to play a lot of meaningful basketball. We love his energy, I love his style of play. I think that the connectivity he has naturally with his teammates. If you look at the numbers, there’s no denying that everybody’s productivity goes up when he’s on the floor next to them.”
While he didn't outright say so, it seemed as if Finch was trying to dispel narratives that have surrounded Ball in his career.
Injury-prone. Me-first player. Not a winner. Those labels have been placed on Ball during his first six years in the NBA. These are also all labels that he helped silence last season, and he can further crush with the Timberwolves.
LaMelo Ball can further himself from negative narratives with the Timberwolves
For as much backlash as LaMelo gets, there are countless undeniably positive aspects of his game that Finch touched on, and some of the narratives simply don't add up.
The Charlotte Hornets went on a spectacular run to end last season, and they finished just one win shy of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
While his scoring average dipped from previous heights, it may have been Ball’s best season. He appeared in 72 games after playing just 105 total in the previous three years. He forced up fewer bad shots as last season’s Hornets squad surrounded him with the most talent he’s seen in his career.
Now, the 24-year-old (turns 25 on August 22) gets to play with Anthony Edwards. Kon Knueppel had a wonderful rookie year, and Brandon Miller is an ascending offensive talent. It’s safe to say, though, that Ball has not played with as dynamic a scorer as Ant-Man.
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Hornets were 11.6 points per 100 possessions better with Ball on the court last season. That’s the second straight year that he has landed in the 99th percentile in net on/off difference.
Just like Edwards is the most dynamic offensive player that Ball has teamed up with, it’s the same the other way as well. It will be a thrill watching them play together, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone if the team’s floor and ceiling both rise with Ball manning the point.
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