Ric Bucher still isn’t sold on LaMelo Ball. On Thursday’s episode of his “On The Ball” podcast, the veteran NBA insider criticized the Minnesota Timberwolves guard’s style of play and made a remark that went beyond basketball.

The comments came nine games into Ball’s first season in Minnesota after the Charlotte Hornets traded him to the Twin Cities. Bucher questioned the guard’s consistency, but his reference to Ball’s tattoos drew criticism from fans.

Fans Call Ric Bucher’s Tattoo Line About LaMelo Ball Too Personal

Bucher discussed the Hornets’ rough start since trading Ball and how the former No. 3 overall pick has fared with the Timberwolves.

“I get why LaMelo has die-hard fans. He’s a whole circus, wrapped up in one heavily-tatted body. I find myself half-laughing at some of the shots he makes, and his Mad Hatter drives into the paint. But that AAU style of basketball does not work on a consistent basis in the NBA,” Bucher said.

While some of the discussion centered on Ball’s play, the reference to his appearance caught fans’ attention.

“That’s very disrespectful tbh. Could have gotten the point across without the personal attacks,” one viewer wrote.

The podcast also included criticism of the 2022 All-Star’s impact on winning.

“Without Anthony Edwards, LaMelo is not a threat to lead the Timberwolves to the playoffs, any more than he was a threat to lead the Hornets to the postseason. An erratic point guard, which he is, no matter how talented, which he is, is going to lose you as many games as he wins you,” Bucher said.

Ball’s most recent outing before Friday came Wednesday in Minnesota’s 117-107 road win over the Houston Rockets. He scored 20 points and made four of his seven 3-point attempts.

The former Hornets star also committed 7 turnovers, though the Timberwolves outscored Houston by 15 points with him on the floor.

Bucher has maintained that Charlotte could eventually benefit from moving the guard, but several reactions to his podcast focused less on that basketball argument and more on the tattoo remark.

“He made real points up until the random tat part,” one commenter pointed out.

“Literally who? Never heard of this guy in my life. Just start taking personal shots,” another response read.

The discussion also drew shorter reactions. “This is terrible,” one viewer added. Another simply reacted, “Whoa.” “Why is bro seething this much?” a commenter asked.

Minnesota entered Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans with a 6-3 record, sitting eighth in the Western Conference.

Charlotte, meanwhile, was 3-6 and ninth in the East ahead of its home matchup with the Boston Celtics.