That familiar motion got pulled out roughly 90 seconds after the opening tip, a sign of just how far a highly-questioned jumper has come.
LaMelo Ball squared up his shoulders and uncorked a 26-footer a few steps away from the Charlotte Hornets’ bench, breaking out his trademark move after watching the ball swish through the net. Ball lowered his right hand before making a motion with his left, almost as if the Hornets’ star point guard is putting his make-believe basketball weapon back in its holster.
“This is the ‘3,’’’ Ball explains as he counts off his fingers, extending his right arm and showcasing his colorful tattoos on his forearm.