Ball Don't Lie: The LaMelo Ball Thread

[Liver_Pooty]

The only remotely bad thing I have to say about Lamelo, and it's nit picking is I'd like to see him play with more fire and intensity. Sometimes I think he just kinda chills out on the court because he's just so gifted. Kemba treated possessions like it was life or death 90% of the time with us. Then again he's only 21 so that will come if it hasn't already

[fatlever]

I guarantee you that whoever called him trash didn't shoot 39% from 3 on 7.5 attempts per game at age 20. Even if he doesn't have generational vision (he does) and handles (he does), that shooting definitely excludes him from the "trash" label.

Obviously "trash" is a ridiculous comment.
The real question, is Melo a legit franchise player? Can he the best player on a good playoff team? Or is he more flash than substance? Can Melo's playstyle + personality translate to sustained team success? It will become a fair question to ask in s few years, if given a proper roster around him.

What is "trash" is our bench.

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[Hornet Mania]

Just sounds like extreme sour grapes from somebody. No one knows how a (soon to be) 21yr old will play in three years much less five or six when they reach their prime. Definitely possible that Melo never truly affects winning, but at the same time there are no clear signs pointing in that direction either.

From my perspective he's been a model citizen and just as advertised in terms of being a star prospect. If he thinks Charlotte is a cow town below his talent he sure hides it well. I never see him dogging teammates for bricking the wide open looks he creates while I often see him celebrating their success, so I don't see any attitude problems that would poison a locker room.

This will be a very interesting season for Melo's development, especially if Cliff forces him to conform to a half court offense. If he can produce efficient offense in the clogged toilet scheme he probably is actually a bonafide offensive centerpiece.

[Rich4114]

This “report” was provided by someone who has been slandering the Balls since LaMelo was in grade school. It’s really meaningless IMO.

That said on the topic of can he impact winning through his play, I think the answer is yes but his efficiency is still a work in progress. He’s not mature yet, he’s just turned 21 and the role models he’s had on this team are a joke. Part of being a great pro is handling success and I don’t think this core (includes Terry and Miles) handled success well last season.

LaMelo also can get carried away with the flash, but you have to be careful in discouraging that too much because you don’t want to take away the thing that makes him special. The talent is undeniable and what he needs just as much as any young player on the roster is continued development and someone to keep him humble. It was no surprise he played better after IT was on the team because other than Hayward there were no true vets that know how to win and what it means.

Mitch is failing LaMelo right now and not just through lack of talent but by kidding himself and us into thinking that Terry is the vet leader we need. Terry is as guilty as anyone of his play not translating to wins. When Terry shoots a high % and puts up points, we are positioned to win and he can be clutch too. But if he’s not putting up points with high efficiency the rest of his game does not impact winning.

I actually think that if you really look more into LaMelo and get beyond his dumb Stan’s that he’s a good kid with a personality that can be a winner and leader. His stans will have you believe he’s on the first bus out of Charlotte as soon as he gets the chance but LaMelo has consistently preached things his Dad taught him about sticking with the team that gave you a chance and wants you. Creating your own legacy. He’s very unlikely to ever be as good as Kobe for example so he’ll never be considered the king of LA but he has an absolute legit chance of owning the city of Charlotte and becoming the best star that city has ever seen. Can’t do that in Boston. Miami. Chicago. Etc. I think that is part of what he aspires to, just an opinion though.

So long story short, he’s got growing up to do but his natural abilities, personality, desire to work all point to someone who is going to be a long term winner in the NBA and far, farrrrrr from “trash”.

[Rich4114]

Just sounds like extreme sour grapes from somebody. No one knows how a (soon to be) 21yr old will play in three years much less five or six when they reach their prime. Definitely possible that Melo never truly affects winning, but at the same time there are no clear signs pointing in that direction either.

From my perspective he's been a model citizen and just as advertised in terms of being a star prospect. If he thinks Charlotte is a cow town below his talent he sure hides it well. I never see him dogging teammates for bricking the wide open looks he creates while I often see him celebrating their success.

This will be a very interesting season for Melo's development, especially if Cliff forces him to conform to a half court offense. If he can produce efficient offense in the clogged toilet scheme he probably is actually a bonafide offensive centerpiece.

That reminds me of other subtle things I’ve seen watching too many Hornets games. I’ve seen him during the game help players of the opposing team up after being down. I actually think he should not do that during play at least, but that type of thing other players remember and respect. It’s really hard to slander someone like that yet we see it anyway from buffoons like the one who put that podcast out.

[luciano-davidwesley]

If you aren't going to give an example why LaMelo is "trash", you are just a coward hiding behind a click baiter.

[JDR720]

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[luciano-davidwesley]

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This doesn't bode well coming from the loud mouth.

[fatlever]

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[fatlever]

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[fatlever]

Just name the player, Thorpe. We need a new Richard Jefferson style villain to hate around here.

That being said. I agree, our defense is trash.

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[JDR720]

Watch on YouTube

This is LaMelo running a red light and almost hitting another car. He posted in the comment section, so it's definitely him.

[fatlever]

that clip was from last year. but lots of reports of melo driving like this around charlotte

[CuseMayne]

Bummed I won't be seeing him tonight...at least I saw him last year in Brooklyn.

Let's go Bugs!!!

[Rich4114]

The core of our team lacks maturity. LaMelo included. But that’s to be expected when the core of your team are 21 year olds. They need a hard nosed player who is a contributor to come in and help train these guys into leaders. Someone they can relate to who was in their shoes at one point, not an old white dude. It’s not that hard to figure out. But the Hornets don’t seem to think that’s necessary.

[LofJ]

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This is an awesome interview, give it a listen. It's nice to be able to focus on the guys like LaMelo and Richards that are putting in the work instead of the unacceptable off the court behavior of Bridges and Bouknight.

[fatlever]

melo out again for portland which puts this grade 2 sprained ankle at 30 days.

puts his missed time well beyond the avg for similar injuries

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13 games (plus 9 days off between preseason and start)

is he even close to returning?

[Diop]

Are we tanking??

[JDR720]

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[fatlever]

his next shoes are gonna be calf high hiking boots.