Charles Lee gives take on LaMelo Ball's fine, insight into conversation with Hornets' star

CLEVELAND — LaMelo Ball’s pockets got a little lighter on Sunday and the Charlotte Hornets’ star had a conversation with his head coach about expectations moving forward.

Ball was fined $100,000 by the NBA for “making an offensive and derogatory comment” in a postgame interview on Fan Dual Sports Southeast following the Hornets’ wild 115-114 win over Milwaukee on Saturday night. The remark and subsequent punishment by the league earned Ball a chat with coach Charles Lee.

Lee made it clear the Hornets aren’t happy with the behavior leading to the six-figure fine.

“As an organization that’s obviously not something we condone,” Lee said before the Hornets took on the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse. “Our standards and what is required of our players and our environment that we create is really important to us. I spoke to Melo and he’s obviously very apologetic.

“From what I’ve seen since I’ve been around him, he loves everyone. He’s a joy to have around in the facility and that’s not typically how he operates.”

Still, Lee felt a discussion with the Hornets’ fifth-year pro was necessary.

“As he and I talked about the seriousness of the situation, and how he needs to conduct himself going forward, he understands what is going to be expected of him,” Lee said. “So, I look forward to seeing him grow from this moment. But I definitely wanted to start off by saying we apologize.”

Asked if he was assured by Ball that it won’t happen again, Lee didn’t flinch.

“Yeah, he and I talked about it and he definitely said going forward, ‘I want to be better,’” Lee said. “And I don’t want to see that happen. And for someone to use those words and say it out of his mouth, now we will make sure we hold him accountable to that.”

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