Carmelo Anthony raves about LaMelo Ball's leadership of the Charlotte Hornets

The Charlotte Hornets continue to be one of the most impressive stories of the 2025-26 season. They had a slow start to the season, but by 2026, they had become a different team.

That mostly comes from the team overall playing much better basketball from January onwards. LaMelo Ball has been crucial during this time as the team's leader and playmaker, which has helped him garner interest from the rest of the NBA.

Carmelo celebrates LaMelo Ball's leadership

Over the past few years, the Hornets have not been a top team. They are often seen as one of the mediocre teams in the Eastern Conference, mostly because they have struggled to build around their stars.

In the past, that was Kemba Walker, who was followed by Ball. Now, LaMelo is becoming a proven leader and playmaker for the Hornets, which is enough for them to reach the postseason.

MORE: Brandon Miller celebrates LaMelo Ball's impact for the Hornets

As one of the league's most vocal analysts, Carmelo Anthony has always loved what he saw from the Hornets. He appreciated their potential, especially when it came to his fellow Melo.

"This is what we've been raving about watching these guys... we've been raving about LaMelo playing with that type of freedom and leadership. He's displaying that tonight," Anthony said on the NBA on NBC broadcast.

As the Hornets continue to progress, more people will see and appreciate LaMelo Ball. He is a talented guard with a limitless skill ceiling, and people are warming up to him being known as a winning player.

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• Brandon Miller speaks about the message the Hornets want to send
• Josh Hart admits that the Knicks had trouble playing against the Hornets' pace