Double good news for LaMelo Ballwho returned to action last night in San Antonio after a sprained ankle suffered at the end of November, and who was finally able to play without his patch to cover his neck tattoo.
After three weeks of competition, the NBA forced LaMelo Ball to hide the “LF” tattoo under his ear. The league considered that this inscription, representing the logo of its brand “LaFrancé”, could be considered advertising, which is strictly prohibited. The player complied without flinching so as not to be fined, and then took action to approach the league and plead his case.
After speaking with the player, his representative at Roc Nation and the players union, ESPN reveals that the league has finally agreed to review its position and allow LaMelo Ball to play without a patch to hide his tattoo.
Present before the launch of his brand
Among the reasons given, LaMelo Ball was able to justify that he already had a similar tattoo on his left hand, although much less visible than the one under his ear. He put forward other arguments, such as the fact that “LF” represented above all the “initials” of his middle name “LaFrancé” and those of his uncle. He finally managed to convince the league that he had highlighted these two letters long before thinking of making them a clothing brand.
That's one less worry for the player and the Hornets. All that remains is to win matches, after the new card conceded in San Antonio last night.
| LaMelo Ball | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 51 | 29 | 43.6 | 35.2 | 75.8 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 5.9 | 6.1 | 2.7 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.4 | 15.8 |
| 2021-22 | CHA | 75 | 32 | 42.9 | 38.9 | 87.2 | 1.4 | 5.2 | 6.7 | 7.6 | 3.2 | 1.6 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 20.1 |
| 2022-23 | CHA | 36 | 35 | 41.1 | 37.6 | 83.6 | 1.2 | 5.3 | 6.4 | 8.4 | 3.3 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 23.3 |
| 2023-24 | CHA | 15 | 33 | 44.3 | 38.8 | 85.7 | 1.5 | 3.9 | 5.5 | 8.2 | 3.5 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 0.3 | 24.7 |
| Total | 177 | 32 | 42.8 | 37.8 | 83.1 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 6.3 | 7.4 | 3.1 | 1.5 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 19.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
