Even though the Charlotte Hornets have a superstar and one of the highest-paid players in the NBA who has struggled with injuries, this doesn’t make LaMelo Ball trade talk any less ludicrous. We live in an epoch when virtually anyone can start a blog and/or use social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to offer their opinions on any issue and person, including on various issues about sports and those who participate in them. These platforms empower individuals to have a voice, democratizing diverse perspectives for those who were previously unheard.
However, with this increasing democratization of diverse voices comes some consequences. One of those consequences is the constant proliferation of ignorance across the nation and globe through these platforms. For example, look at the overabundance of think pieces published on blogs and reputable websites about Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship—some decent and many horrible pieces.
LaMelo Ball Trade Talk
When one is a writer at a reputable, dare I say, prestigious organization, such as The Athletic, he or she needs to be guided by reason and responsibility. Therefore, when I read “The Charlotte Hornets actually have reasons to be optimistic,” a seemingly innocuous article from its title, penned by Tony Jones, staff writer at The Athletic, that engaged in LaMelo Ball trade talk, I found it to be another unfortunate example of clickbait culture entering mainstream and prominent news and analysis publications. What is “clickbait culture”?
To define “clickbait culture” in straightforward terms, it’s a culture of writing and publishing absurd things under the guise of saying something substantive to trick people into clicking on one’s online links. Consider the ridiculous and sensationalist headlines tabloids such as the National Enquirer employ to lure readers to read and purchase its foolishness. Such publications epitomize the essence of “clickbait culture.”
What did The Athletic Staff Writer Tony Jones Say?
In the article, Tony Jones wrote, “As controversial as this will sound, I would trade Ball and build around Miller. The Hornets already secured multiple assets at the deadline with the moves they made. Trading Ball would be selling high on a terrific talent who has had issues staying healthy. He played just 36 games last season and has been limited to appearing in just 22 of the Hornets’ 56 games this year, but his star power and upside would garner enough assets to truly build around Miller.”
After these statements, Jones acknowledged that “Ball finalized a five-year max contract extension last July worth up to $260 million.”
Disrespecting the Hornets’ Superstar?
Notice Jones’s phony disclaimer: “As controversial as this will sound, I would trade Ball and build around Miller.” He knows what he’s about to say is asinine, so he felt the need to preface it with such a contrived disclaimer. I might have had a modicum of respect for this foolishness if he had said, “I know this is clickbait, but let’s have fun and entertain some LaMelo Ball trade talk.”
Even before the 2023 NBA Draft, I expressed high praise for the former Alabama Crimson Tide superstar, Brandon Miller, who doesn’t have enough NBA experience as a rookie to center a team around him. While averaging 16.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game and shooting 44.0% from the field, 38.0% from behind the arc, and 82.9% at the free throw line is impressive for a rookie, it’s silly to think these numbers—as good as they are—merit LaMelo Ball trade talk.
The Athletic staff writer Tony Jones’s bogus LaMelo Ball trade talk is rooted in myopic vision and sloppy and impatient thinking about the Charlotte Hornets’ superstar experiencing some struggles with injuries. Injuries are an organic part of the game, and wise leaders don’t simply trade a superstar because he has faced some injuries. Tony Jones fails to comprehend how committed Mitch Kupchak, Charlotte Hornets general manager, is to LaMelo Ball and how he honors Ball’s determination to work to overcome his injuries.
With his LaMelo Ball trade talk, The Athletic staff writer Tony Jones evinces that he has no idea how beloved LaMelo Ball is by Charlotte Hornets fans.
Parting Thoughts
Tony Jones, I hope the executive leadership at The Athletic will push you to be a better writer, researcher, sports analyst, and journalist. I desire for you to concentrate on quality sports reporting in the future and never again pen such an egregious clickbait piece. In short, do better, dude!
Recommended Reads: Charlotte Hornets Star Delayed Return, Charlotte Hornets Miles Bridges Staying Put, and Miami Heat Acquire Electric Guard In Trade With Charlotte Hornets
About The Author
Dr. Antonio Maurice Daniels is an accomplished scholar, writer, editor, columnist, journalist, and academic, including a writing instruction expert and researcher at Johns Hopkins University. He received his educational training at prestigious universities like Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Daniels has twenty-four years of experience as a writing instructor at every level of education and as a professional writer. His sports journalism focuses primarily on the Arkansas Razorbacks, Wisconsin Badgers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Milwaukee Bucks, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, LaMelo Ball, Lonzo Ball, and LiAngelo Ball. To follow Dr. Daniels on X (formerly Twitter), click here. To read more of his online writing, click here. For more exemplary sports content at Total Apex Sports, click here, and to follow Total Apex Sports on X, click here.