"He's not doing what Allen Iverson did" - Former Timberwolves guard blasts Gilbert Arenas for likening LaMelo Ball to 76ers icon

Since being drafted third overall in 2020, LaMelo Ball has emerged as one of the most exciting young guards in the NBA. In the midst of another All-Star season, one former player compared the Hornets guard to a Hall of Famer.

After missing the majority of last season due to injury, Ball is putting together his best campaign in the pros. He is currently fourth in scoring at 29.6 points per game while averaging 5.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists.

In the midst of his stellar play, LaMelo Ball is leading all Eastern Conference backcourt players in All-Star voting. Gilbert Arenas defended the voters on his podcast, stating that Ball deserves this much recognition. He also stated that the Charlotte Hornets star is getting so much attention because he draws parallels to Allen Iverson.

Following this bold take, former Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants sounded off on Arenas.

"Allen Iverson was taking them to the playoffs," McCants said. "LaMelo wasn't doing what Allen Iverson was doing."

To this day, Iverson is still viewed as one of the most iconic guards in NBA history. Despite being undersized, he emerged as a superstar for the Philadelphia 76ers. A former MVP, Iverson famously led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001.

As for McCants, he spent four years in the league after being drafted 14th overall by the Timberwolves in 2005.

---

LaMelo Ball beating Donovan Mitchell, Damian Lillard in All-Star voting

Still about a month away from All-Star weekend, fan voting is still raging on. In the latest results, LaMelo Ball is beating out a pair of superstar-caliber players in voting.

The Hornets guard remains in the top spot for guards in the Eastern Conference with 1.9 million votes. Slightly behind him are Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell (1.5 million) and Damian Lillard (1.2 million).

In terms of all players, LaMelo Ball is one of 10 players with at least 1.9 million fan votes or more. Others in this group include Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Nikola Jokic and LeBron James.

If Ball can remain in the top spot, he has a good chance of being a starter in the All-Star game this year. Fan voting accounts for 50%, with media and players supplying the other 50%. Voting will continue for another week, with the starters officially being announced on Inside the NBA on January 23.

Ball is on pace to get an All-Star nod for the second time in his young career. He was last named in 2022 in just his second year in the NBA.