LaMelo Ball’s time in the NBL was a roller coaster of highs and lows. At his best, he notched back-to-back historic triple-doubles in the final two games of his time with Illawarra. But the slow start, inefficiency and season-ending injury all were lowlights on the year as well.
One of the teammates that has spoken out on him this season the most, veteran David Andersen, gave his take on Ball’s up and down season in a recent interview with ESPN.
“I thought defensively and even offensively he was a bit lost at the start, running a team, and then he started to get his feet under him. He looked like he was starting to get rolling and then he had the foot problem and that put a halt to everything, but it was an evolving thing.
“I think it was great for his growth as a player and great for the league to see him out there and throwing up triple-doubles, it was amazing.”
Head coach Matt Flinn spoke about how Ball’s upbringing on the basketball court stunted his growth in many ways, largely in the lack of basic drills he did during his younger years. And Ball had to adjust in many ways to playing with fellow professionals at his level rather than teenagers he is far better than.
It was all a big learning curve that was made worse by a first-year head coach, an increased media spotlight and a franchise that was ill-prepared to handle the Ball experience. But both sides will likely walk away from the experience having learned valuable lessons moving forward.
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