Ball Don't Lie: The LaMelo Ball Thread

[Chapelchilla]

He does need some stronger support around the ankles. Luckily these are not career ender injuries and maybe it means we decide to fully embrace a tank. It is by far the smartest choice at this point.....c'mon Mitch.

[Liver_Pooty]

Assuming Ball misses the next 13 games which he previously did we won't have him back until the 29th game. I'm also assuming Hayward won't be back within the next 2 to 3 weeks just because. Martin is out 6 weeks. Miles is gone for this year.

Yeah, at this point it's not about wanting to tank, it's just going to happen naturally. We are not nearly good enough with all those guys out.

[nature_boyy97]

People talk about how we shouldn't tank bc we have bad draft luck, but let's look at the last time we were in a situation like this. 2020.

Kemba left the team and we won 23 games. 9th place in the East. We were supposed to pick 8th and we hopped all the way up to 3rd & got LaMelo. With this roster, we could naturally be a top 5 pick and jump up to #1 with the new lottery odds. This season sucks but we could be back in good shape by next season's start.

[Liver_Pooty]

People talk about how we shouldn't tank bc we have bad draft luck, but let's look at the last time we were in a situation like this. 2020.

Kemba left the team and we won 23 games. 9th place in the East. We were supposed to pick 8th and we hopped all the way up to 3rd & got LaMelo. With this roster, we could naturally be a top 5 pick and jump up to #1 with the new lottery odds. This season sucks but we could be back in good shape by next season's start.

Or end up with the best odds and jump back to 4th or 5th. And I'm preparing myself mentally for that.

[Hornet Mania]

Assuming Ball misses the next 13 games which he previously did we won't have him back until the 29th game. I'm also assuming Hayward won't be back within the next 2 to 3 weeks just because. Martin is out 6 weeks. Miles is gone for this year.

Yeah, at this point it's not about wanting to tank, it's just going to happen naturally. We are not nearly good enough with all those guys out.

Pretty much.

I don't ever want to see the Hornets attempt a Process-style tank where they intentionally refuse to roster NBA-caliber players, but I am 100% fine with an organic tank where we prioritize giving young prospects minutes even if it means a few more losses.

The youth movement is staring us right in the face. Plumlee needs to go for Mark/Kai to get a shot. Oubre needs to go for Bouk/Thor/McGowens to get more minutes. Terry doesn't need to go as badly as those two, because he's both a good player and not an expiring contract, but if he was gone we'd have that much more time for DSJ/Maledon.

Injuries have forced our hand as far as I'm concerned. The logical move is to trade some vets for picks and see what we have in our prospects. Plumlee and Oubre in particular are not part of the future, there is no reason to hang onto them just so Cliff can get 28 wins instead of 23 wins.

[fatlever]

it at least would have been entertaining if he stepped on dj khaled and his ridiculous pillow sneakers

[yosemiteben]

People talk about how we shouldn't tank bc we have bad draft luck, but let's look at the last time we were in a situation like this. 2020.

I'm not saying you're wrong about what could happen, but even if you have the worst record you should expect not to get the top pick with the way the odds are. I think people underestimate how much luck is required to get the pick.

[fatlever]

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That's good news. Now just need the 28 other teams to piss the ball family off.

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[fatlever]

Anyone google Melos gf recently to see what shenanigans she's accused of????

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[JDR720]

Anyone google Melos gf recently to see what shenanigans she's accused of????

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Why have you been googling Melo's gf?

*opens private window*

Hmmm...seems possible. Maybe Melo was one of her clients.

[fatlever]

Anyone google Melos gf recently to see what shenanigans she's accused of????

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Why have you been googling Melo's gf?

*opens private window*

Hmmm...seems possible. Maybe Melo was one of her clients.

Came up on my Twitter Hornets feed.
I was like, what is a "Dubai Porta Potty"?
Learn something new every day.

Our young guys really love that IG model lifestyle

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[JDR720]

Watch on YouTube

[luciano-davidwesley]

Watch on YouTube

The video is unavailable in Australia

[SWedd523]

Anyone google Melos gf recently to see what shenanigans she's accused of????

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Why have you been googling Melo's gf?

*opens private window*

Hmmm...seems possible. Maybe Melo was one of her clients.

Came up on my Twitter Hornets feed.
I was like, what is a "Dubai Porta Potty"?
Learn something new every day.

Our young guys really love that IG model lifestyle

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what the hell are you millennials talking about

[fatlever]

what the hell are you millennials talking about

https://theshadowleague.com/is-lamelo-balls-girlfriend-ana-montana-a-dubai-porta-potty-accusations-of-her-involvement-in-prostitution-linger/

penis

[fatlever]

Per 36 free throw attempts

20/21 - 4.0
21/22 - 3.6
22/23 - 2.4

This summer we heard about how lamelo was working with a former official to learn how to draw fouls. Getting to the free throw line was one of the main areas of improvement for him this offseason. Yet, his free throw attempts have been trending down each year.

Why? Is this year's production solely a byproduct of the injured ankle where he is trying to avoid contact in the lane?

Is he averaging less drives to the paint?

Other than 3pt shooting, are there any clear and obvious improvements to his game since his rookie season? I don't think his defense has improved. His propensity for making bad fouls has not improved, I don't think his finishing at The Rim has improved, clearly his free throw attempts have not improved. His rebounding numbers are down. Turnovers are same. Is the clearly stronger, tougher? Is he a better leader now? Maybe, but not obvious. Better floor general, decision maker, yes, I think so. Assists are up slightly, but I suspect that might have a little bit to do with Clifford's offense compared to borrego,, as Cliff using Melo more in PnR.

Thoughts?

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[fatlever]

To be clear, the Improvement in 3-point percentage over a higher volume of attempts is a big deal and the main driver and the increase in his scoring average. If nothing else improves in his game and he becomes a lethal three-point shooter on 11 attempts a game that is extremely valuable. I'm just curious about the other parts of his game that don't seem to have progressed the way one might have thought for someone in year 3.

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[fatlever]

Hopefully, the answer is as simple as he is still getting healthy on the ankle after the injuries.

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[Hornet Mania]

Hopefully, the answer is as simple as he is still getting healthy on the ankle after the injuries.

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I'm willing to withhold judgment for a few more weeks for that reason alone.

The last couple weeks have been his only real opportunity to get a rhythm this season, and he allegedly still has some ache in the ankle. If anything I've been encouraged by the fact he doesn't look noticeably worse (or tentative) from the rust.

[JDR720]

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