LaMelo Ball posted a sharp video response to his critics after leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to four straight wins. The 25-year-old point guard shared a clip on Instagram that showed famous sports commentators tearing him down before cutting to his recent highlights. He then added a simple line to the post: “I think I caught a buzz.” This message came as the Timberwolves climbed to fifth in the Western Conference standings despite losing their top star, Anthony Edwards.
The video featured Bill Simmons and other talking heads who questioned Ball’s seriousness during his time in Charlotte. Those critics called his past behavior a circus and claimed he lacked the focus to win. The Timberwolves have won their last four games, beating the Bucks, Rockets, Pelicans, and Jazz. Ball has averaged 25.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 1.5 steals during this winning streak, according to HITC.
A Fresh Start Changes Everything
NBA insiders who once doubted Ball now say his move to Minnesota was a revelation. Jon Krawczynski told Yahoo Sports that people were wrong to call him unserious before. The guard has shown real growth in his defense and his attitude. He is averaging 1.7 steals per game and ranks in the 83rd percentile for stops among guards, per Yahoo Sports reporting. His plus/minus number sits at +10.5, which shows how much better his team plays when he is on the floor.
Dwyane Wade jumped in to defend Ball against the old narratives that followed him from the Hornets. The Hall of Famer told Yahoo Sports that the criticism was lazy and unfair to a player who works hard. “It’s a narrative on a lot of guys. It’s a narrative on LaMelo Ball, and I think it’s lazy, and I hate when I hear it because he does everything; he don’t do nothing that they say you should do,” Wade said. He noted that Ball’s unorthodox shooting style has been his strength all along, not a flaw.
Hornets Regret the Trade Already
The trade that sent Ball to Minnesota looks like a mistake for Charlotte. Bill Simmons noted on a recent show that the Hornets are in shambles without their former star. The team’s offense has a rating of just 99.7, while Ball’s Timberwolves are hitting 116.9 when he plays. Simmons pointed out that Naz Reid, the main piece Charlotte got in the deal, seems unhappy in the new city. The Timberwolves have performed well without Edwards, while the Hornets have struggled to find a rhythm.
Ball has proven he can lead a winning team even when his best friend is out. He has been consistent his whole life, Wade said, even if the style looks weird to some fans. The Timberwolves face the Mavericks on Thursday, followed by the Trail Blazers on November 16 and the Knicks on November 20.
