The Best LaMelo Ball Shoes

If there is one basketball family everyone knows, it is the Ball family. LaMelo Ball, the youngest of three brothers, is a point/shooting guard for the Charlotte Hornets. Ball was the first-round third pick in the 2020 NBA draft and was selected by the team. Further, he grew up playing basketball his whole life and was a top prospect since his Chino Hills days. His family and supporters knew that he would go on to be selected quickly in the draft, as he also has his older brother, Lonzo, in the NBA.

Puma Contract

Puma has partnered with the basketball star, allowing Ball to have his signature shoes with the brand. The reported value is worth around $100 million, with no known time stamp. Ball said this about the deal: “I am really excited to be joining the Puma family… I believe the brand is the perfect partner for me because Puma will allow me to just be myself.” He added, “I want to be 100-percent authentic whether that’s playing basketball or showing off my personal style and that’s what I want to do with Puma.” With the company allowing LaMelo creative freedom and co-designing the shoes, he made the MB.01 and later on the MB.02. Here is a list of his top five best colorways. 

5. Puma MB.02 Rick & Morty

We have the second version of Ball’s Rick & Morty collaboration at No. 5. February 2023 was the release for these shoes. They come at a retail price of $140. These versions of the shoe are called MB.02 Rick & Morty. The colorway of these shoes matches the vibe of the show. On one, we have Morty, with the shoe being pink and safety yellow with pink laces. The other has Rick, purple and Elektro green with purple laces. Each character is placed on the tongue of the shoe. They appear on the soles of the shoes as well. Additionally, we have “M.E.L.O.” on the backs of the shoe with his logo.

4. Puma MB.02 “Slime”

With No. 4, we have the MB.02 “Slimes.” The shoes were released on December 21, 2022, in collaboration with Nickelodeon. They are coming in at a retail price of $140. Inspired by Nickelodeon’s slime, the colors of the shoes reference the goo. The bottom half of the shoe has the color green, and the top half features a neon yellow. In addition, the design of his logo and stripes on the side are colored orange, representing Nickelodeon’s logo color. 

On the bottom of the shoe, you can find the word slime imprinted. On the toe cap, you can see the use of a slime effect in green. Inside the shoes, you can find a slime pattern again with the Puma logo on one side and the Nickelodeon slime wording on the other. 

3. Puma MB.01 Rick & Morty

With the third spot, we have the first and original design of the Rick & Morty collaboration. Debuting on February 18, 2022, this was LaMelo’s first collab shoe. It retails at $135. We have a Nrgy Rose colorway on one shoe with the Rick & Morty portal below the tongue. The shoe’s tongue has Ball’s logo in Jasmine Green. Of course, the other shoe comes in Jasmine Green with another portal below the tongue and the logo again in Nrgy Rose. On the inside of the tongue, we can see Rick on the green shoe and Morty on the rose shoe.

2. Puma MB.01 “Queen City”

With the second pair on the list, we have the MB.01 “Queen City” shoe. Releasing on March 18, 2022, the shoe retails for $125. The colorways for these shoes are Purple Glimmer and Blue Atoll. The shoes are purple with hints of blue throughout the tongue and on the words “Not From Here.” We also see the “M.E.L.O.” in blue on the back of the shoe. Further, we also see “1 of 1” on the tongue tag and the sides of the toes. 

1. Puma MB.01 Low “UFO”

With the No. 1 spot on the list, we have the MB.01 Low “UFO.” With a retail price of $120, they were released on June 16, 2022. That makes this the cheapest pair on the list. The official colorway names for these shoes are High Rise and Aqua Green. Most of the shoe is a High Rise color, with the laces included. Additionally, we have aqua green used as a liner for the top of the shoes and as the color of the outsoles. Again we can see the “1 of 1” on the tongue tag and “M.E.LO.” on the backs of the shoe. 

The Future of the Puma MB

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: LaMelo Ball #1 of the Charlotte Hornets reacts following a three point basket during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Spectrum Center on December 29, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Ball has many years to go on his NBA journey, and in the future, we might see more colorations added to his collections. Above all, we also might see more collaborations in the future. Altogether, Ball keeps the shoes pretty simple with the colors and design, but we’ll see if that will change.

LaMelo Ball Hit With Horrible Injury News

LaMelo Ball is easily one of the most fun young players in the entire NBA. Overall, he is someone who plays the game with a lot of jump in his step. Additionally, he is one of those guys who is always doing a great job when it comes to highlight reel plays. His passes are off-the-charts impressive, and there is no doubt that he will be someone to watch for a very long time. If the Hornets were to start surrounding him with other stars, then that team would most definitely launch themselves into the postseason.

Unfortunately, LaMelo has been a bit injury prone over the last few years. He has gone down with a few ankle injuries and they have kept him out of the lineup for some time. Consequently, the Hornets have sunken to the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. At this point, they are one of those teams hoping to get Victor Wembanyama. Last night, Melo got injured yet again, this time while playing the Detroit Pistons. Although his team won, Melo had to leave the game early with a non-contact ankle injury.

LaMelo Ball Goes Down

When the game was over, Shams Charania of The Athletic took to Twitter and reported that Melo had suffered a right ankle fracture. Simply put, the point guard is now done for the season. There are only about 20 games left in the season, with a month of action to go. Having said that, it seems like the best course of action would be to shut LaMelo down and allow him to come back next year. It’s not ideal, but the Hornets really have no choice right now.

Hopefully, LaMelo is able to come back stronger than ever. He is the face of the Hornets, and their hopes are riding on his shoulders. However, Michael Jordan should probably think about giving his young point guard some help. It would go a long way in making sure that Ball isn’t left having to carry a team. All while putting tremendous strain on his body. Stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest updates from around the sports world.

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LaMelo Ball’s Reckless Driving Elicits Concern From Fans

LaMelo Ball is one of the best young players in the entire NBA right now. Ever since he came into the league, he has been exciting to watch. Overall, he is a player who could certainly make the Charlotte Hornets a top-tier team. However, the roster around him needs to get infinitely better. Moreover, Melo has to mature just a bit before he truly becomes a great player. It’s clear that the Hornets are a team that needs work, but that is just par for the course when you have a young core.

When you are a young player like LaMelo, you are definitely going to make a few mistakes along the way. This doesn’t just apply to the basketball court. When you are young and rich, sometimes, being reckless is second nature. Overall, you feel as though you are on top of the world and invincible. Consequently, you do things that you probably shouldn’t be doing. For LaMelo, his current vice seems to be driving as if the rules of the road do not apply to him.

LaMelo Running Lights

In the video up above, you can see numerous clips of LaMelo ripping out of the Hornets’ parking lot. Every single time he leaves the arena, he cuts off oncoming traffic before running the red light. Although he didn’t hit anyone in these clips, he certainly came close to doing so. Moreover, by running these lights and driving so fast, he is a danger to both drivers and pedestrians. In the Twitter reactions below, you can see that people were not happy with Melo, and are hoping for him to be better.

“If you ever want to know why driving is so dangerous in the US, all you have to do is watch a video of the craziest illegal driving you’ve ever seen, and there will always be at least 1 commenter defending it,” one person wrote. “Dumb ass. And uptown Charlotte is already dangerous as is with the stupid North Carolina drivers smh,” said another. Hopefully, LaMelo uses these comments as a wake-up call of sorts. Let us know what you think about all of this, down below.

Twitter Reacts

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PUMA Hoops Debuts Latest Edition of LaMelo Ball’s MB.02 Sneaker

PUMA Hoops Debuts Latest Edition of LaMelo Ball's MB.02 Sneaker

The MB.02 Flare is the latest addition to LaMelo Ball’s extraordinary PUMA Hoops range. A NITRO foam-infused midsole that mimics Melo’s distinctive wings serves as the foundation for this second model. The concept expands in epic proportions onto the constructed woven mesh upper, providing a broad-reaching design statement, and a vibrant pop of color adds punch to the court-ready kick, while the instantly recognizable “1 of 1” marking reiterates that nothing else comes close.

PUMA Hoops’ distinctive NITRO foam-infused midsole provides improved responsiveness and comfort while being lightweight—ideal for high-energy, explosive playstyles. Because of its full-coverage designed nonslip rubber compound and feather (a tribute to Melo’s characteristic wings) tread pattern for better durability and traction, the shoe is also great for rapid cutbacks and spot-up jumpers. Finally, the fit features a revolutionary upper design comprised of engineered woven mesh and multizone blended materials for targeted support, comfort, and breathability in a lightweight package.

Retailing for $130, the MB.02 Flare will be available Friday, February 24 in both men’s and kid’s sizes at PUMA.com, Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Foot Locker Canada, Champs Sports and Champs Sports Canada.

You can see the new sneaker below.

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Rick & Morty x Puma MB.02 Revealed: Photos

Rick & Morty is one of the biggest animated television shows in the world right now. Although the show is going through some significant issues due to allegations against Justin Roiland, it is still expected to move forward. Fans are certainly looking forward to this, as the shoe has proven to be quite humorous. Moreover, Rick & Morty is one of those licenses that lends itself well to areas outside of the shoe. For instance, one could even think of basketball sneakers.

Largely, this association is thanks to none other than LaMelo Ball. LaMelo is one of the best young players in the world. Overall, he even has his very own signature shoe with Puma. The second iteration of this shoe is the Puma MB.02 and it has already gotten a whole slew of colorways. In fact, they are now going to be teaming up with Rick & Morty for the collaboration below. They already collaborated on the MB.01, so it only makes sense that they would come back for more.

Rick & Morty x Puma

Rick & Morty
Image via Puma

In the images throughout this article, you can see that both models will be mismatched. Firstly, the left shoe is going to be green with some purple laces and a purple tongue. Secondly, the right shoe is more yellow and orange, with pink laces and a pink tongue. The title characters are on the tongue of the shoe, and overall, it makes for a very fun and unique collaboration. At this point, Melo is starting to become known for some incredibly loud sneaker collabs, although that’s definitely a good thing. His unique flare on the court is now being reflected in his sneaker game.

If you want to grab these, you will be able to do so as of Friday, February 17th. Moreover, if you can’t get a hold of them at retail, try GOAT and Flight Club who always have an array of sizes. Let us know what you think of these amazing kicks, in the comments section down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world.

More Photos

Image via Puma
Rick & Morty
Image via Puma

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LaVar Ball Rips Lakers While Speaking On LaMelo’s Future

LaVar Ball is easily one of the most famous fathers in the entire world. A few years ago, Ball gained prominence thanks to the way he was promoting his oldest son, Lonzo. At the time, the Lakers were pathetic and they were going to get a high draft pick. As a California native, LaVar was able to advocate for his son to go to the Lakers and that is exactly what happened.

During this era, LaVar made all sorts of wild claims about his son’s talent. Overall, Lonzo was not able to live up to the hype, however, he is a very solid NBA point guard. Of course, Lonzo was traded from the Lakers to the Pelicans in exchange for Anthony Davis, back in 2019.

LaVar Ball attends the game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

LaVar Ball Vs. The Lakers

Subsequently, LaVar has held onto his Lakers grudge all of these years. In a recent interview with Complex, Ball was asked if he would ever let LaMelo go to the Lakers. As you can imagine, Ball wants nothing to do with that franchise, moving forward.

Common sense would tell you, hell no,” LaVar said. “You did something to my boy Lonzo, and you think I’m going to come back with the others? I gotta be stone-cold crazy. You get rid of ‘Zo and you think I’m going to come back? I’m not that type of foolish guy.”

LaVar Ball looks on during the game between the Charlotte Hornets and the Brooklyn Nets at Spectrum Center on March 08, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

Throughout the interview, Ball made sure to reiterate that he hopes his sons will all join forces at some point in their careers. For instance, if their contracts all end at the same time, LaVar expects them to go to the same team. Of course, this all rides on LiAngelo making the NBA.

Let us know what you think of LaVar’s remarks, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from the sports world.

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Top 10 Signature Sneakers Of 2022

Signature sneakers are easily some of the best ways for fans to feel like they are their favorite NBA star. Every single year, the biggest stars in the game come through with new offerings of their signature lines. Brands like Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Puma, and more, all have signature athletes, which subsequently leads to some good old-fashioned sneaker wars.

Overall, Nike has largely dominated the signature shoe space over the years. However, it really seems like the other brands are catching up. More athletes are signing with Adidas and Puma than ever before, which has led to amazing competition.

2022 has been particularly great for signature sneakers, and with this list, we are counting down the 10 best releases of the entire year.


10. Nike PG 6 (Paul George)

Signature Sneakers
Sneakers worn by Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers during the game against Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena on November 7, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Starting off our list is the Nike PG 6, courtesy of Paul George. Throughout the years, George has consistently had one of the best signature shoes. His latest offering is perhaps his wildest yet thanks to the unique midsole and tooling on the upper. Overall, this model lends itself to some cool colorways, and they will definitely make you flash on the court. While some may prefer his first couple of releases, there is now doubt that the PG 6 has its merits.


9. PUMA MB.01 (LaMelo Ball)

The shoes of LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets during their game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center on March 21, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)

LaMelo Ball is one of the biggest and brightest young stars in the NBA. Consequently, Puma gave him his very own signature shoe, the Melo MB.01. The second variation is starting to make its way to the market, however, we prefer the first silhouette. This shoe comes complete with wings protruding from the cuff, as well as some Xs across the midsole. The shoe speaks to LaMelo’s personality and it is definitely one of the more unique signature sneakers on this list.


8. Jordan Luka 1 (Luka Doncic)

Signature Sneakers
A detailed view of the shoes worn by Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks as the Mavericks play the Cleveland Cavaliers in the second half at American Airlines Center on December 14, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Next on the list is Luka Doncic with his first offering, the Jordan Luka 1. As a whole, this shoe is fairly basic in its construction. However, there are some unique elements here that lend themselves well to interesting colorways. The silhouette itself is sleak, and as far as signatures go, these are easily the least offensive on the market. Hopefully, Luka and Jumpman get just a bit more creative next time around.


7. Under Armour Curry Flow 10 (Steph Curry)

A view of the shoes worn by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors as the Warriors take on the Dallas Mavericks in the second half at American Airlines Center on November 29, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

Back in the day, Steph Curry’s signature sneakers with Under Armour used to get heavily roasted. Subsequently, UA went into the lab and fixed their formula. Now, Curry consistently has one of the best shoes in the league. With the Curry Flow 10, that trend certainly continues. As the name suggests, the silhouette flows incredibly well. Moreover, the upper’s construction is complex as interwoven mesh blends with the ridged midsole. If you love Curry, these are a must-own.


6. Adidas D.O.N. Issue #4 (Donovan Mitchell)

Signature Sneakers
A detail is pictured of the sneakers worn by Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on November 27, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Donovan Mitchell will always get points from us for having the most unique-named signature sneakers on the market. Mitchell is a huge comic book fan, and he has backed up that love by giving each new shoe an Issue number. As it stands, Mitchell is on Issue #4 of his D.O.N. series. Above, you can see that this shoe is just an overall simple yet effective silhouette. Adidas is great at crafting performance-driven signatures, and this is yet another example of that.


5. Adidas Dame 8 (Damian Lillard)

A detailed view of the sneakers worn by Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers against the Miami Heat at the Moda Center on October 26, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. The Miami Heat won 119-98. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

Overall, Damian Lillard’s line of signature sneakers has been incredibly consistent. Every single year, Dame drops a dope shoe. This year, it has been the Adidas Dame 8. These kicks are packed with personality, and they showcase Lillard’s confidence. On the side of the shoe, “DAME” is written under some mesh, all while zig-zags complement the three stripes. It isn’t the flashiest shoe ever, however, it gets points for being yet another solid signature from the game’s most overlooked point guard.


4. Nike Zoom Freak 4 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)

Signature Sneakers
Detail of the sneaker worn by Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter of the game at Target Center on November 4, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is the best player in the entire NBA right now, and his signature shoe is fit for a king. His line has always been solid from the jump, and with the Zoom Freak 4, Nike has yet another hit on its hands. A chunky midsole, a backward swoosh, and unique colorways help this model stand out. If you liked the previous three models, you will definitely love this one too. For those of you out there who hoop, you know these are great to play in. Giannis has a great eye for performance, and this signature certainly deserves its top 5 ranking.


3. Nike KD 15 (Kevin Durant)

A general view of the shoes worn by Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images)

When it comes to signature sneakers, it feels like Kevin Durant has always succeeded in the performance department. Furthermore, his shoes always look great…which definitely helps. If you go to any college or high school basketball game, you will notice that many players are wearing the Nike KD 15. That’s because even schools know these shoes are workhorses. They hold up well on the court, and there are enough amazing colorways out there to make you stand out. KD is always a staple of these lists, and the KD 15 cemented that trend further.


2. Jordan Zion 2 (Zion Williamson)

Signature Sneakers
Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans wears a pair of Nike shoes prior to the start of an NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Smoothie King Center on December 09, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Zion Williamson never even got to wear the Jordan Zion 1. Thankfully, Zion is back on the court, and he is proudly wearing the Jordan Zion 2, in the process. Williamson is a large player which means he needs a large shoe that can withstand his power. As you can see, this shoe takes on aesthetics from the early 2000s, when big men like Shaq were dominating the game. The strap on the toe, the reinforced upper, and the chunky midsole all come together to form one of the best releases of the year. While these might not be for everyone, there is no doubt that Jordan Brand snapped with these. Over the course of the season, we can’t wait to see Zion wear more colorways.


1. Nike LeBron 20 (LeBron James)

The shoes of LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers are seen during the second quarter at Wells Fargo Center on December 09, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Putting LeBron James at the top of a signature sneakers list seems a little on the nose. Over the past few years, most people would scoff at LeBron ever topping one of these lists again. However, the Nike LeBron 20 has certainly captured the attention of fans. With this model, LeBron is going back to the early days of his line with a more low-top silhouette. Even his peers like Kevin Durant have praised these. From the two-swoosh concept to the graphics that adorn the midsole underneath the toe box, these are simply stunning. More colorways are to come, and there is no doubt that this is a must-own shoe. Props to LeBron and Nike for an incredible return to form.

Let us know which of these signature shoes is your favorite, in the comments down below.

Nickelodeon x Puma MB.02 “Slime” Coming Soon: Photos

Nickelodeon is one of the biggest brands in the world when it comes to children’s television. They are responsible for delivering hundreds of hours of entertainment to our younger selves, and to this day, they remain a strong brand. Overall, Nickelodeon is still going strong, and now, they are teaming up with Puma.

In fact, this Puma collaboration is being facilitated by the likes of LaMelo Ball. LaMelo has his very own signature shoe, the Puma MB.02. Now, the children’s television network will get its own MB.02 colorway. Appropriately, this new colorway is going to be called “Slime.”

Nickelodeon
Image via Puma

Nickelodeon x Puma

One of Nickelodeon’s most iconic tropes is the slime that it hits celebrities with during the Kids Choice Awards. Additionally, there are various shows on the network that use this slapstick as a tool of sorts. Now, the iconic green slime is being placed on this LaMelo signature in a way that will get fans excited.

As you can see below, the shoe begins with a a green and yellow base. Green is mostly found on the bottom, while yellow is more found at the top. There is a green slime graphic emanating from the toe box, as well as the wings on the sides. This makes for a dope look that speaks to the aesthetics of the network.

Slime – Image via Puma

Overall, this is going to be a colorway that truly appeals to collectors. If you love Nickelodeon and you love LaMelo Ball, this is truly a match made in heaven. Only time will tell whether or not more similar colorways make their way to the market.

Release Details

For those of you out there who want to grab these, you will be able to do so as of Friday, December 23rd for $140 USD. Furthermore, the will be available over at PUMA.com. Let us know what you think of these, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from around the sneaker world.

Nickelodeon
Image via Puma
Nickelodeon – Image via Puma
Image via Puma

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JAY-Z and OG Juan Gift LaMelo Ball a Roc-a-Fella Pendant for 21st Birthday

JAY-Z and OG Juan Gift LaMelo Ball a Roc-a-Fella Pendant for 21st Birthday

The Charlotte Hornets are officially the LaMelo Ball show. As the Hornets All-Star point guard is getting ready for another season, his family at Roc Nation had a gift delivered to him: a Roc-a-Fella pendant.

Jay Z Og Juan Gives Lamelo Ball A Rocafella Pendant for his Birthday 0 18 screenshot
Jay Z Og Juan Gives Lamelo Ball A Rocafella Pendant for his Birthday 0 18 screenshot

The gift was in celebration of Ball’s 21st birthday. According to Akademiks, the pendant came from OG Juan and JAY-Z. You can see him unbox the piece below.

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Drake’s Son Adonis Shows Off His Basketball Skills

Drake-Son-Adonis-Basketball-Skills

Rap superstar Drake hasn’t been able to be there for his Toronto Raptors in this COVID-impacted NBA season, but he’s got a baby baller in his own house to watch every day. Drake posted a video of his son Adonis on Instagram getting buckets. Adonis Can’t Miss While Drake’s Song Plays In The Background If […]

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