If you saw any of Monday night’s game between the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets, odds are you walked away thinking that LaMelo Ball got the friendlier whistle in this LaMelo-Lonzo matchup.
LaMelo probably wouldn’t have agreed, though.
Midway through the fourth quarter of the Hornets’ 133-119 loss to the Bulls, LaMelo drove to the basket and was met at the rim by Zach LaVine. While there might have been some contact on the missed layup, LaMelo was adamant that he got fouled as he fell to the court. He slapped the floor and then argued the no-call as he made his way back up the court.
It was enough for referee Suyash Mehta to call LaMelo for a technical foul, and we’re sort of glad he did because that T led to some excellent banter from the second-year point guard.
Did LaMelo just tell a referee: "Imma be a ref when I‘m done hooping and show y‘all how to ref" after getting a no call? 💀
(via: sidelinesources/IG) pic.twitter.com/4Z1FyaxVjl— Statline – Basketball & NBA News (@statline_) November 30, 2021
As referee Tony Brothers was at the scorer’s table, the broadcast picked up LaMelo telling Mehta something like:
“Imma be a ref when I’m done hooping and show y’all how to ref.”
I mean, that’s pretty good. If you’re a ref, you just have to tip your cap to that kind of trash talk. Plus, it would be pretty hilarious to see LaMelo pursue a refereeing career in his post-NBA days. Just imagine: A crew of LaMelo, Lonzo and LiAngelo reffing games as LaVar sits courtside and boasts about his refereeing sons.
“NEVA MISSED A CALL!”
What a world that would be.
Despite LaMelo’s 18-point, 13-assist double-double, Lonzo got the better of his younger brother in the win.
