Pelicans vs. Hornets: Is LaMelo Ball already better than Lonzo?

When the Pelicans play the Hornets all eyes will be on Lonzo Ball and his younger brother LaMelo.

January 8th will be the first matchup between LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, who would love nothing more than to get a win for the Pelicans while dominating his younger brother.

Both entered the league as top picks and both have flashed signs of brilliance as well as some inconsistencies.

The two are going to be compared as long as they are in the league and their head-to-head matchups are going to be fun to watch.

Lonzo Ball has emerged as one of the Pelicans’ leaders this season, as he tries to prove he is worth a max contract.

LaMelo Ball is just starting his career and is still coming off the bench for the Charlotte Hornets.

But is he already better than Lonzo?

New Orleans Pelicans: LaMelo may already be better than Lonzo Ball

Both Ball Brothers are big point guards who are gifted passers, that much is a given. Lonzo Ball was once considered the better prospect of the two, but that changed over the last few years as LaMelo played overseas and impressed.

There were huge question marks about both of their shots coming in and those remain, though both have shot the ball better than anyone expected.

So which one is better? Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Lonzo Ball is averaging 13.4 points per game, 4.6 rebounds and 4.6 assists. He’s shooting 32.8 percent from 3-point range (a big drop-off from last season that should go up) and is getting just over a steal per game.

LaMelo Ball is scoring 12.1 points a game, adding 5.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists on 36.1 percent shooting from behind the arc and he’s doing it in seven fewer minutes per game.

LaMelo is also shooting 73.7 from the line to Lonzo’s 60 percent and is getting an extra attempt per game.

He’s also averaging 1.6 steals, though Lonzo Ball has played some elite on-the-ball defense this season (at times), something that LaMelo is not doing yet.

This is not a knock on Lonzo Ball, but it appears the Charlotte Hornets made the right decision when they took LaMelo with the 3rd pick.

He is already more polished offensively than his older brother and if his defense continues to improve, the Hornets will have themselves a superstar.

Let’s hope Lonzo is motivated to prove he doesn’t belong in his younger brother’s shadow.