LaMelo Ball, known for his distinctive and often unpredictable shot attempts, continues to captivate NBA fans with his one-legged three-point shots. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Ball attempted an astonishing 53 shots from beyond the arc while balancing on one leg, a shot style rarely seen and seldom encouraged in professional basketball. This remarkable volume highlights the distinctive nature of LaMelo Ball unique shot selection and its role within the Charlotte Hornets’ offensive strategy.
This type of shot generally signals a breakdown in action or tight defense, making it a difficult and often inefficient option for most players. The rarity of this shot is evident, as the next highest number of one-legged three-point attempts from any NBA player was only seven during the same period. Yet, Ball defied expectations by converting 40% of these attempts, a rate that surpasses his overall three-point accuracy of 33.9% for the season and even exceeds his field goal percentage of 40.5%.
Performance Analysis of Ball’s One-Legged 3-Pointer
Typically, unorthodox shooting techniques lead to lower efficiency, but Ball’s one-legged three-pointer serves as an exception rather than the rule. Despite its awkward appearance and breaking classical shooting mechanics, this shot produced a surprising upward tick in his shooting efficiency. This suggests that Ball’s creativity in shot-making generates tangible value, maintaining scoring efficiency under challenging circumstances where defenders might expect hesitation or off-balance attempts to fail.
Given that Ball took 528 three-point shots last season, the one-legged attempts constitute a modest but significant subset of his shooting arsenal. The fact that these desperate-looking shots have such a solid conversion rate encourages the idea that his creativity might not only be an entertaining spectacle but an effective tactical weapon. While Ball is not executing these attempts with the consistency or range of a player like Steph Curry, his ability to make difficult shots keeps defenses unsettled and forces opponents to adapt on the fly.
Impacts of Team Dynamics on Ball’s Shooting Style
As the Charlotte Hornets improve their roster and get key players like Brandon Miller back to full health, Ball’s role as the primary volume shooter could change. With more scoring options and offensive weapons available, Ball might not need to rely on such bold, unconventional shots as much, theoretically allowing for a more traditional style of play. However, this shift could reduce the unpredictability that currently benefits the Hornets and enhances Ball’s presence on the floor.
The Hornets’ expanding offensive support may lessen Ball’s necessity to force difficult shots, but analysts suggest the possibility that maintaining his unique shot repertoire could remain vital. His tendency to take and make difficult shots at high frequency might serve as an important factor in maintaining scoring opportunities, especially in tight situations or late in the shot clock.
Potential Risks and Future Observations
While the numbers supporting Ball’s one-legged three-point shooting are impressive, this category of attempt remains a gamble given the relatively small sample size. Other players combined made only nine out of 24 such attempts league-wide last season, underscoring how unusual and risky these shots are. Whether this success is sustainable or merely a statistical anomaly will be closely monitored as the 2025-26 NBA season unfolds.
LaMelo Ball’s unconventional shot-making not only emphasizes his creativity but also highlights how basketball continues to evolve with players redefining boundaries on what counts as an effective shot. This unpredictability could become a persistent advantage for the Hornets, providing them with an offensive edge if Ball continues to capitalize on his unique skill set.
Ongoing Developments Around the Charlotte Hornets
Alongside Ball’s intriguing shooting style, the Hornets have made significant offseason moves aimed at strengthening the roster. The Athletic credited Charlotte for a smart offseason approach that reshaped the team’s dynamics quietly, while the team is engaged in discussions about player roles and future strategies. The Hornets are also navigating decisions around key players such as Moussa Diabate, who is competing to secure the starting center spot.
Zachary Roberts, a journalist specializing in basketball coverage, has been closely following the Charlotte Hornets’ season progression and roster transformations. His insights provide context on how Ball’s performance and the team’s adjustments interact moving forward. The manner in which the Hornets manage their talent pipeline and utilize Ball’s distinct shooting style will be crucial as they aim for success in the coming years.