LaMelephant: The LaMelo Ball Thread (#2)

wilson115 · Post #181 » by **wilson115** » Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:17 am

Melo being Melo 2x.

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wilson115 · Post #182 » by **wilson115** » Fri Oct 13, 2023 1:54 am

Melo being Melo 3x.

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HornetJail · Post #183 » by **HornetJail** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 2:45 am

wilson115 wrote:Melo being Melo 3x.

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he hits them enough that I don't mind it. I'm also very ok with it if Mark or Nick is in position for an offensive board which they are not here

Liver_Pooty · Post #184 » by **Liver_Pooty** » Sat Oct 14, 2023 3:43 am

wilson115 wrote:Melo being Melo 3x.

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Honestly that's a wide open in rhythm 3 for a guy that hits 38% from deep. I say fire away.

KembaWalker · Post #185 » by **KembaWalker** » Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:34 pm

This team is not likely to get a better look than that out of a half court set very often. It's not 2008 anymore boomers, thats a good shot

JMAC3 · Post #186 » by **JMAC3** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 5:55 am

Liver_Pooty wrote:
wilson115 wrote:Melo being Melo 3x.

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Honestly that's a wide open in rhythm 3 for a guy that hits 38% from deep. I say fire away.

WIDE OPEN. It is not like he passed up an easy layup for the shot either, defenders were back at the rim.

Rich4114 · Post #187 » by **Rich4114** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 1:45 pm

I have a problem with almost every other player on this roster taking that shot, except LaMelo. Not a bad shot for LaMelo and to everyone else's point, it is in rhythm.

LofJ · Post #188 » by **LofJ** » Tue Oct 17, 2023 4:07 pm

Rich4114 wrote:I have a problem with almost every other player on this roster taking that shot, except LaMelo. Not a bad shot for LaMelo and to everyone else's point, it is in rhythm.

He shouldn't abuse these kind of shots, but taking them is part of what makes him so dangerous/unpredictable.

He may bomb a 3 from deep, split a P&R with his creative handle, whip a no look pass to the weak side out of nowhere, or attack the paint and move the defense only to find a wide open teammate. If LaMelo can refine his shot selection while maintaining his unpredictability and get stronger at attacking the basket/drawing fouls there will be only a few players in the entire NBA on his level when it comes to offensive impact.

Post #189 » by **fatlever** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 12:52 pm

The bashing of Melo across wider NBA has really ramped up this year.
I have no doubt he will crush it, if healthy. Not his fault our front office has been a dumpster fire or that his best teammate is a **** moron

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wilson115 · Post #190 » by **wilson115** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:11 am

Lamelo being Lamelo... ?

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Post #191 » by **fatlever** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:03 pm

I don't think we're too far away from needing to have a serious conversation about lamelo and his future with this team.

I'm willing to concede that his first three games this season could just be a product of rust since he hasn't played in 10 months. Probably fair to give him another month to get back up to full speed. But if he still looks like this in december, we may have a problem.

It's concerning that we are four years into his tenure with the team, and honestly he's not much different of a player now than he was his rookie year. All of his weaknesses are still the same, almost none of them have been improved in any noticeable fashion. He is still a horrific defender, he still is prone to foul trouble, gambles is out of position, awful finisher at the rim, no obvious leadership skills, still seems to be very immature, doesn't seem to take the game seriously, and in 4 years in the league hasn't really added any noticeable muscle or strength to his frame to help him finish through contact or become a stronger defender.

The other point I wanted to make...this summer I spent a lot of time arguing that I'd like to see lamelo paired with a strong point guard to play more off the ball more as I think it better suits its strengths and would allow him to focus his energy more on scoring, being that secondary playmaker. The argument was a general argument for a scoot type over brandon type, but players aside I think the argument is still valid, not the Miller versus scoot debate, I think we're all very happy with miller, it's more about my opinion of needing to pair lamelo next to a strong point guard, someone who can put pressure on the rim, help with ball handling duties, and act as the lead attack defender. I realize I'm describing a unicorn like Jrue Holiday.

I've always thought lamelo doesn't need the ball in his hands long to be an incredibly impactful passer. I don't think he's strong enough quick enough or good enough finisher at The Rim to be a guy that you put as the lead to Handler in pick and roll 50 times a game.

Anyway... let's hope he starts to get back in the groove, and really starts to show some improvement on the glaring weaknesses in his game. We really need him to step up for this team to go anywhere in the upcoming years.

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JMAC3 · Post #192 » by **JMAC3** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:16 pm

I am not ready to panic on LaMelo, we are 1-2 and play the Rockets next. We could very well be 2-2 which is fine considering everything.

LaMelo shot 12 free throws in game 2, that seems like an improvement to me. Last night he played 21 mins and was in foul trouble, never found a rhythm. He is 4th in assists in the league, 2nd per 36 which is valid since he is only playing 28 mpg. I am confident his shooting will come back around.

Do I think Terry is the optimal backcourt mate for LaMelo career long? Probably not, but as you stated your "ideal" partner is a very rare and the mold is an allstar level player would cost 2-3 first round picks to pair someone like that with LaMelo.

Rich4114 · Post #193 » by **Rich4114** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:40 pm

I am not too worried about LaMelo given the circumstances. He's got to ramp up and find his shot again. If he's hitting his 3's at the clip we're used to then it changes everything. The other stats are there. The defense is a work in progress. But I will die on this hill - matching him up next to Terry puts the entire team at a disadvantage. We need a spot up 3pt shooter in that role who can also play D (kind of like a healthy Cody Martin actually) and our bench is a disaster outside of Miller.

LaMelo looks like he has actually made some improvements to his game, it's just not translating with the ball going through the hoop efficiently these first 3 games so far.

LofJ · Post #194 » by **LofJ** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:41 pm

There is someone else that fits that mold who has become a pretty good player and is almost completely overlooked. He's also going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer - Markelle Fultz.

If we don't make any other moves to improve the roster during the season he should be near the top of our priority list.

Rich4114 · Post #195 » by **Rich4114** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:45 pm

LofJ wrote:There is someone else that fits that mold who has become a pretty good player and is almost completely overlooked. He's also going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer - Markelle Fultz.

If we don't make any other moves to improve the roster during the season he should be near the top of our priority list.

That's an interesting idea plus he has a relationship with Clifford already.

Bassman · Post #196 » by **Bassman** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:48 pm

Fats I do have concerns as well, and feel all of your observations in your critique are valid. If our record is bad enough to draft in the upper lottery, this player ranked 6th at NBA Draft Room’s current mock might be a solution:

6 Isaiah Collier PG – USC – HT: 6-3 – WT: 205 – WING: NA – Fr – A pass-first point guard who could be a one and done for USC. An elite pick and roll operator with an advanced feel for the game. McDonald’s Game Co-MVP.

LofJ · Post #197 » by **LofJ** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 3:52 pm

Rich4114 wrote:
LofJ wrote:There is someone else that fits that mold who has become a pretty good player and is almost completely overlooked. He's also going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer - Markelle Fultz.

If we don't make any other moves to improve the roster during the season he should be near the top of our priority list.

That's an interesting idea plus he has a relationship with Clifford already.

I also don't think the Magic are going to bring him back. They already extended Cole Anthony and also have Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black on the roster.

He's an attainable player, if we were a smart organization we would push hard to get either him or OG Anunoby.

Rich4114 · Post #198 » by **Rich4114** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 4:33 pm

LofJ wrote:
Rich4114 wrote:
LofJ wrote:There is someone else that fits that mold who has become a pretty good player and is almost completely overlooked. He's also going to be an unrestricted free agent this summer - Markelle Fultz.

If we don't make any other moves to improve the roster during the season he should be near the top of our priority list.

That's an interesting idea plus he has a relationship with Clifford already.

I also don't think the Magic are going to bring him back. They already extended Cole Anthony and also have Jalen Suggs and Anthony Black on the roster.

He's an attainable player, if we were a smart organization we would push hard to get either him or OG Anunoby.

Toronto values OG in a way that make him unattainable for a team that doesn't have it's next draft pick available to trade.

JMAC3 · Post #199 » by **JMAC3** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:10 pm

Fultz can't shoot at all still. Doesn't draw fouls at all either. He is coming off a contract of 17 million and will have started full seasons back to back likely. I don't think he will be super cheap.

wilson115 · Post #200 » by **wilson115** » Tue Oct 31, 2023 5:30 pm

Killian Hayes can switch on defense as a big point guard, but offense is behind schedule. RFA next offseason.