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

After missing most of last season due to injury, Ball is having the best season of his career. He is currently averaging 29.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game, ranking fourth.

In his stellar performance, LaMelo Ball led all Eastern Conference backcourt players in All-Star voting. Gilbert Arenas defended voters on his podcast, saying Ball deserves so much recognition. He also said the reason the Charlotte Hornets star is getting so much attention is because of his similarities to Allen Iverson.

Following this bold move, the former Minnesota Timberwolves Guard Rashad McCants spoke out about Arenas.

“Allen Iverson led them to the playoffs,” McCants said. “LaMelo didn’t do what Allen Iverson did.”

To this day, Iverson is still regarded as one of the most iconic guards in NBA history. Despite his small stature, he became a superstar for the Philadelphia 76ers. A former MVP, Iverson famously led the 76ers to the NBA Finals in 2001.

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

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

The All-Star break is about a month away, and fan voting is still in full swing. In the latest results, LaMelo Ball defeated two superstar-level players in the voting.

The Hornets guard continues to top the list of Eastern Conference guards with 1.9 million votes. Slightly behind him is the Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell (1.5 million) and Damian Lillard (1.2 million).

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

If Ball can maintain his top spot, he has a good chance of becoming a starter in this year’s All-Star Game. Fan voting accounts for 50%, with media and players providing the other 50%. Voting will continue for one more week, and the starting players will be officially announced on Inside the NBA on January 23.

Ball is expected to be selected as an All-Star for the second time in his young career. He was last nominated in 2022, just into his second year in the NBA.