LaMelo Ball’s $25,000,000 Teammate Draws Hard Line After Brutal ‘Garbage’ Jab

The Charlotte Hornets just showed a lot of character in their big win over the Washington Wizards.

They went from trailing by double digits at halftime to winning by 26 points, and while the Wizards had plenty to do with that collapse, Miles Bridges believes LaMelo Ball deserves all the credit:

“(Shoot), it was really Melo,” Bridges said after the game, per Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer. “Melo came in, gave me an ear full. I didn’t come out ready to play, so I’m not used to Melo doing that. “He told me, ‘Lock in. Lock in, play like I usually play. I’m playing like a (bum) right now. He turned it up and everybody else turned up. We go as the head of the snake go. So, if he’s leading like that, with that type of passion, people are going to listen to him.”

That's why a Hornets fan made the most of the chance to call Bridges 'a bum,' to which the Michigan State product had a fiery response:

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"Only my teammates can speak to me this way buddy," Bridges responded.

Per Spotrac, Bridges signed a three-year, $75 million deal with the Hornets, and his $25,000,000 yearly salary looks like a bargain early in the season.

He scored 22 points on 16 shots, but Ball took things to the next level with a 38-point, 13-rebound, 13-assist performance to lead the Hornets to a 2-1 record after three games.

LaMelo Ball isn't marketable, says Gilbert Arenas

Ever since he made it to the league, LaMelo Ball has been one of the biggest entertainers and most popular players among young fans. Even so, it feels like he's not making the most of his value with endorsement deals and marketing opportunities.

Per former NBA star Gilbert Arenas, it has to do with his image and demeanor, which is unlike guys like LeBron James and Stephen Curry:

“He’s done tattooed himself to the point where they’re not going to put you on these American Express ads unless you’re willing to cover yourself up,” Arenas said on VladTV.

Of course, it's not like he's struggling to make ends meet or anything like that. He signed a 5-year, $203.8 million contract extension in 2023, and he's going to get much more once he becomes eligible for a new deal.

Through three games, he's averaging a whopping 28.3 points and 9.7 assists per game.

Edited by Ernesto Cova