Ball Don't Lie: The LaMelo Ball Thread

JMAC3 · Post #1281 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 2:56 pm

Mitch has drafted well so far, we have all our future picks. Cap situation looks decent as of today, so I am fine with the way things are trending for the franchise and be able to put together a good team around Melo.

amcoolio · Post #1282 » by **amcoolio** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 2:58 pm

We really just need Mobley and we'll be set

Graham, Rozier, PJ and Miles are good complimentary players but they shouldn't be 3rd options unless they improve a whole heck of a lot

Monk is way too streaky

SWedd523 · Post #1283 » by **SWedd523** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 2:59 pm

Braggins wrote:Definitely feels like its time to start him full time. I was in favor of the cautious approach, but I think hes showed hes ready.

Agreed. I feel like that cat is now out of the bag.

The rest of the year needs to be experimenting to see which of Rozier, Graham, Monk are his best pairing and start exploring moves for the others.

Braggins · Post #1284 » by **Braggins** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:13 pm

JMAC3 wrote:Mitch has drafted well so far, we have all our future picks. Cap situation looks decent as of today, so I am fine with the way things are trending for the franchise and be able to put together a good team around Melo.

They own all their 1sts, which is definitely the most important part, but I just noticed the 2nd round picks they own are mostly worthless. The only own one of their own picks and four of the five they own over the next four drafts are likely to be in the 50s. Thats pretty unfortunate and makes potentially whiffing on all of this years 2nd rounders suck a little more (really wish they got Tillman).

LofJ · Post #1285 » by **LofJ** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:23 pm

The Hernangomez trade is why we don't have our own 2nds. I wish we could pull something like that off in reverse. Thankfully, although this draft has a lot of top end talent the depth is really poor. The chances of us hitting on a 2nd this year are slim. That said don't count out Kupchak, his track record with 2nd round picks is as good as it gets.

GiggitySmalls · Post #1286 » by **GiggitySmalls** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:24 pm

I'd like to see what we could do to get Drummond to pair with hayward,ball, and possibly rozier. Im all on board to trade Tae, monk, zeller, and 2nds.

JMAC3 · Post #1287 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:37 pm

MugzZo wrote:I'd like to see what we could do to get Drummond to pair with hayward,ball, and possibly rozier. Im all on board to trade Tae, monk, zeller, and 2nds.

This deal sucks for us especially considering he is a free agent this summer and will likely get overpaid. You want to trade three rotation players for a guy who hasn't proven to be a winning player on a team that is already lacking depth? I can't get behind that.

JMAC3 · Post #1288 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:44 pm

LofJ wrote:The Hernangomez trade is why we don't have our own 2nds. I wish we could pull something like that off in reverse. Thankfully, although this draft has a lot of top end talent the depth is really poor. The chances of us hitting on a 2nd this year are slim. That said don't count out Kupchak, his track record with 2nd round picks is as good as it gets.

Second Rounders should not really matter much. It is great to find a player from the second every now and again, but they should really all be third string, depth, 2 way players. Seems like many on this board count on them being consistent rotation players, which if you look at the numbers is just not the case more often than not.

We already have so many low ceiling second rounders on our team which is why our depth sucks. We have 14 NBA roster spots filled right now and 5 of them are filled by second rounders from the last 2 years. That means we have 9 proven guys/first rounders, which is simply not enough when you have Covid/Higher Injury rate this year.

None are free agents this summer, so I do not really see the value in adding 1-2 more of these low upside guys this offseason. Would rather use these roster spots on actual Veteran players who have proven to be rotation guys in the past. Could care less about finding another Grant Riller two way type player with the 50th pick.

Post #1289 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:46 pm

After the game he had last night how did the LaMelo Ball thread become the “what to do with 2nd round picks” thread?

JMAC3 · Post #1290 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:49 pm

BigSlam wrote:After the game he had last night how did the LaMelo Ball thread become the “what to do with 2nd round picks” thread?

Because he is on track to be a superstar and building a team around him is super important. Don't want to be like Dallas and have him playing with a bunch of role players.

Post #1291 » by **yosemiteben** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 3:55 pm

Braggins wrote:
JMAC3 wrote:Mitch has drafted well so far, we have all our future picks. Cap situation looks decent as of today, so I am fine with the way things are trending for the franchise and be able to put together a good team around Melo.

They own all their 1sts, which is definitely the most important part, but I just noticed the 2nd round picks they own are mostly worthless. The only own one of their own picks and four of the five they own over the next four drafts are likely to be in the 50s. Thats pretty unfortunate and makes potentially whiffing on all of this years 2nd rounders suck a little more (really wish they got Tillman).

Usually not too tough to buy a 2nd if we're in love with someone. A future 2nd and cash can buy you a lot in the second round.

Post #1292 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 4:51 pm

JMAC3 wrote:
BigSlam wrote:After the game he had last night how did the LaMelo Ball thread become the “what to do with 2nd round picks” thread?

Because he is on track to be a superstar and building a team around him is super important. Don't want to be like Dallas and have him playing with a bunch of role players.

If you think building a team around LaMelo with 2nd round picks is the answer, I’m not sure what to say.

And you are literally having the same conversation about 2nd round picks here at the same time you are in the fake trade thread.

JMAC3 · Post #1293 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 4:53 pm

BigSlam wrote:
JMAC3 wrote:
BigSlam wrote:After the game he had last night how did the LaMelo Ball thread become the “what to do with 2nd round picks” thread?

Because he is on track to be a superstar and building a team around him is super important. Don't want to be like Dallas and have him playing with a bunch of role players.

If you think building a team around LaMelo with 2nd round picks is the answer, I’m not sure what to say.

And you are literally having the same conversation about 2nd round picks here at the same time you are in the fake trade thread.

I literally said we should not be building a team around 2nd round picks so seems like you did a good job reading. Also, my bad for typing in the wrong thread, wont ever ever ever let it happen again.

JMAC3 · Post #1294 » by **JMAC3** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 4:56 pm

LaMelo is really good at basketball. Keep the thread talking about only things that deal with only LaMelo Ball.

LaMelo made some shots last night and that was awesome. He also made good passes. Keep up the good work LaMelo.

LaMelo is my favorite player on the Hornets. Go LaMelo. Go LaMelo. Go LaMelo.

Better?

Braggins · Post #1295 » by **Braggins** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 5:14 pm

He already looks like the 2nd best player on the team.

Hayward
LaMelo
Rozier
Zeller
PJ

You could maybe swap PJ and Zeller, but thats how I rank the top 5. That conveniently should be the starting 5 now imo.

Post #1296 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 5:34 pm

JMAC3 wrote:Also, my bad for typing in the wrong thread, wont ever ever ever let it happen again.

Want to bet my RGM account Vs your RGM account that you do?

:wink:

Post #1297 » by **BigSlam** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 5:37 pm

Braggins wrote:He already looks like the 2nd best player on the team.

Hayward
LaMelo
Rozier
Zeller
PJ

You could maybe swap PJ and Zeller, but thats how I rank the top 5. That conveniently should be the starting 5 now imo.

Where would you rank LaMelo amongst the other young PG’s in the league?

Guys like:

Fox
Young
Morant
SGA

Braggins · Post #1298 » by **Braggins** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 5:54 pm

BigSlam wrote:
Braggins wrote:He already looks like the 2nd best player on the team.

Hayward
LaMelo
Rozier
Zeller
PJ

You could maybe swap PJ and Zeller, but thats how I rank the top 5. That conveniently should be the starting 5 now imo.

Where would you rank LaMelo amongst the other young PG’s in the league?

Guys like:

Fox
Young
Morant
SGA

Probably above SGA, but not sure about the others. He could be better than all four, but I dont want to jump the gun off a 23 game sample size.

Liver_Pooty · Post #1299 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 5:58 pm

BigSlam wrote:
Braggins wrote:He already looks like the 2nd best player on the team.

Hayward
LaMelo
Rozier
Zeller
PJ

You could maybe swap PJ and Zeller, but thats how I rank the top 5. That conveniently should be the starting 5 now imo.

Where would you rank LaMelo amongst the other young PG’s in the league?

Guys like:

Fox
Young
Morant
SGA

Fox rookie year - 12 pts 4 assist 2 rebounds
Young rookie year - 19, 8 and 4
SGA - 11, 3, and 3
Morant - 18, 7, and 4.

Melo his last 4 games is averaging something ridiculous like 25, 7, and 6. Im almost certain he'll be better than all of them especially once he gains some solid lean muscle and his shot gets more consistent.

Soul Rebel · Post #1300 » by **Soul Rebel** » Sat Feb 6, 2021 6:17 pm

I agree that he definitely needs to start moving forward and to figure out his running mate, and rotation respectively. His confidence is something I haven't seen in a Hornets uniform since BDavis. Kemba had confidence, but it took awhile and it was a quiet confidence. LaMelo's is more on an Kawhi/LBJ/Wade kind of dominating style.

That late game "and-1" where he drove the lane with confidence hit the layup and drew contact was a big boy play.

As great as he is currently playing, I do also envision a rookie wall at some point. I do believe at some point this year (maybe the 50ish game mark) we could see a different LB, but who knows.