The Minnesota Timberwolves appear to have a problem with LaMelo Ball on board. Especially if he is allowed to take more than four steps with the ball.
After landing the All-Star point guard job in one of the biggest trades of the offseason, the Timberwolves opened their season with a 131-106 win over Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
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Anthony Edwards (45 points) and Antetokounmpo (35) led their respective teams in scoring, but Ball himself had a strong Minnesota debut with 21 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. He also had the piece that everyone was talking about, but not necessarily for a good reason.
During the second quarter, Ball had an open court in front of him but chose to drop back for a 3-pointer. At first glance, this might have seemed like a normal plan to some people. It was certainly handled as usual, with no whistles blown from the officials.
The instant replay, however, revealed the truth: Ball got away with a hilariously obvious trip, so much so that the ESPN broadcast was stunned watching the play in slow motion.
Color commentator Richard Jefferson began defending the play, saying, “My older basketball players next to me feel like it’s a trip.” Me, I think it’s…” but then he was speechless as he took a better look.
The play was bad enough to attract the attention of Ball’s older brother, Lonzo, who called the play as he saw it.
It ultimately was a unique, silly moment in an otherwise successful debut for Ball, who spent the first six seasons of his career with the Charlotte Hornets before a surprise blockbuster brought him to Minnesota.
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The appeal of adding Ball to Minnesota’s core is obvious. Edwards is one of the best players in the NBA. Rudy Gobert is an elite defender and rebounder. The rest of the roster is solid, but a distributor like Ball could elevate every player on a team still trying to make the NBA Finals.
Wednesday was off to a good start, taking on one of the East’s contenders and having no trouble turning Antetokounmpo’s Miami debut into a loss. The Wolves probably shouldn’t expect a similar shakeup on the perimeter in the future.
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