Charlotte Hornets’ star player LaMelo Ball found himself at the centre of controversy for his anti-gay slur. His act did not go over well, with the NBA slapping a fine of $100,000 and calling his conduct unbecoming and derogatory.
Later, Ball and the Hornets organization issued an apology, with Chief Coach Charles Lee reaffirming the team’s commitment to inclusivity and also making the player accountable for their actions.
LaMelo Ball’s Anti-Gay Slur
LaMelo Ball mentioned an anti-gay slur during a postgame interview following the narrow victory of the Hornets over the Milwaukee Bucks. Ball used the derogatory phrase to describe the last moments of the game, and the NBA found the language hateful and disparaging.
The NBA condemned the language and took a clear stand against the disparaging remarks. Ball’s actions have also spawned a volley of criticism on social media.
The Charlotte Hornets won the closely fought match with the Milwaukee Bucks with a 115-114 score. Ball was describing the closing moments of the game when Hornets’ Grant Williams managed to force Giannis Antetokounmpo into an off-balance jump shot, which fell short and hit the rim.
Ball said:
“We loaded up — no h***. That’s what we wanted, put a hand up and then live with the results.”
The phrase “no h****” got Ball into trouble, leading to one of the highest fines slapped as per the rules of the league for such offenses.
Hornets head coach Charles Lee also stated:
“As an organization, that’s obviously not something we condone. Our standards and what is required of our players and the environment that we create are really important to us. I spoke to Melo, and he’s obviously very apologetic.”
He concluded:
“From what I’ve seen since I’ve been around him, he loves everyone. He’s a joy to have around in the facility, and that’s not typically how he operates.”
LaMelo Ball’s performance was average in the match against the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday, with the guard scoring 26 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in his 36-minute appearance for the Hornets.
Ball is from Chino Hills, California, and his performance in the first 12 games reads:
- 29.6 points
- 6.3 assists
- 5.3 rebounds
He was in the No. 3 position in the 2020 NBA draft, though his career has been beset with injuries. He often gets into trouble with his outspoken demeanour, as depicted in the Facebook Watch program, “Ball in the Family.”
