3 Reasons LaMelo Ball can save the Cleveland Cavaliers
By Tony Pesta
1. Playmaking
Playmaking might be the Cleveland Cavaliers’ biggest need in the offseason. The team ranks in the bottom five for assists and turnovers per game while falling towards the bottom half of the league in total passes made.
It’s hard to play a free-flowing style of basketball when the ball movement is stagnant. Rookie Darius Garland has made strides as a playmaker and is leading the Cavaliers in assists but it is going to take more than one decent passer to make a significant change for this squad.
This is where LaMelo Ball truly thrives. Though he gets the reputation of being a ball-hog for his high shot attempts, he is also a gifted passer with incredible court vision and creativity.
Ball makes the most of his time on the floor and is constantly looking to find open teammates. His 7.0 assists per game made him the second-best passer in the NBL and helped him win the Rookie of the Year Award.
His sneaky athleticism and deceptive handle help Ball set his teammates up for success. He is aware of his team’s positioning at all times and has no trouble zipping a pass to an open man when multiple defenders jump at him.
On the flip side, Ball is always looking to make the home run play. This means there have been numerous times when he threw an ill-advised pass in an attempt to make a personal highlight. As a result, Ball averaged over two turnovers a game this season.
This bad habit is also what makes Ball such a special prospect. He isn’t afraid to go for it all and this has been a blessing and a curse. One thing is for sure, he wouldn’t be a projected top-three pick if it wasn’t for his fearless attitude.
Ball would instantly be the best playmaker the Cleveland Cavaliers have to offer. Plugging Ball into a lineup with the rest of the Cavs young core is a recipe for team success.