LaMelephant: The LaMelo Ball Thread (#2)

[amcoolio]

ehhhhhh, this is right in parts. We've done absolutely jack **** to put a team around Melo since the 43-39 season and this was the offseason we should have changed that with the East in such disastrous shape. Peterson purposely tanking again is inexcusable, and shows he has no idea what we have.

But we've also seen plenty what Melo looks like trying to power through injuries. I want no part of his post all-star break form from last season. Everything from that Portland blowout forward was absolutely disgusting and he should've been shut down a month before he was. Nobody benefited from that.

Maybe he knows we don't have anything. If Melo were truly a star, it shouldn't matter what is around him, he should carry the team to the playoffs anyway.

He has got to be better. Yes, the front office has sucked, but Melo is trending on a Brandon Ingram path, kind of this empty stats whatever player that just bloats an NBA team's payroll, whether you want to admit it or not. I'm dying for him to prove me wrong, but the Hornets have been ass for 4 years now

[SWedd523]

Entering year six of his career. At some point we need to admit to ourselves that it's more "he is who he is" than "next year he'll put it all together"

We need to admit who we are, or at least who we have been. We asked LaMelo to go out there with a bunch of nobodies at the end of last year. We were not trying to win at that point.

Lets at least give him half a chance. At least give him some reason to see if he can play through some of those ankle injures. We have given him no reason so far.

LaMelo has never complained. He has never badmouthed the Hornets even though we probably have deserved it.

Doesn't tend to stop other stars from playing like stars, but I guess maybe next year will be the one where it all gets put together

[EmpireFalls]

Yeah guys it’s all LaMelo’s fault (ignore the fact that we went 3-32 without him)

[JMAC3]

The LaMelo debates are funny to me because even with the boneheaded plays, bad shot selection and whatever else the media saw a 20 second clip of him doing (not watching games)..... he still grades out as a top 10 offensive player by EPM.

https://dunksandthrees.com/epm/actual

Sports takes are incredibly lazy and so much of it comes down to 1 player winning in a team sport... Bo Nix isn't good but he gets less **** than Dak Prescott who is miles better than him as a player. It all comes down to winning even if you are not close to the main reason you are winning.

Trading LaMelo for Darius Garland, Haliburton or Trae Young doesn't make this team any better unless the argument is they are healthy more... but none of those guys are outplaying LaMelo on the court enough to carry this roster the past few years to the playoffs.

[GoBobs]

ehhhhhh, this is right in parts. We've done absolutely jack **** to put a team around Melo since the 43-39 season and this was the offseason we should have changed that with the East in such disastrous shape. Peterson purposely tanking again is inexcusable, and shows he has no idea what we have.

But we've also seen plenty what Melo looks like trying to power through injuries. I want no part of his post all-star break form from last season. Everything from that Portland blowout forward was absolutely disgusting and he should've been shut down a month before he was. Nobody benefited from that.

I don't know how much of it was the injury vs teams adjusting to the spam LaMelo offense. I think other teams placed more emphasis on being physical with LaMelo, making it hard to bring the ball up ect. Maybe it is just something he has to go through to get to the next level.

[wilson115]

Finally figured out inbounds plays

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[Bassman]

On the eve of the new season, this YouTube video breakdown is excellent. Tells where LaMelo stands within league circles, and has a fair analysis of his strengths and weaknesses, plus what he must do to take the big step.

https://youtu.be/9PsT2N-wYvs?si=mEWukZ0iBMclpTsV

[JustBuzzin]

This feels like the year LaMelo finally takes that next step and makes us a playoff team. I feel like he has the Nat'l media attention, now it's about staying healthy and winning games.

Like I say every season talent is not the issue with LaMelo. It's all about his health.

[wilson115]

"LaMelo respect"

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[EmpireFalls]

This is the most underrated player in the NBA due to agenda and stupidity. I don’t care. He’s a virtuoso and a budding offensive superstar. He has everything

He’s amazing. I will always love Kemba above all but this kid is more talented and has a higher ceiling

[yosemiteben]

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article312549473.html

Nearly every player on the team not in the game — even those in street garb — was standing up, fully engaged with what was transpiring on the court at Capital One Arena. They created a human wall in a sense, blocking the view for the patrons who paid top dollar for their seats in the same vicinity.

That’s a no-no in NBA etiquette these days and each player was told to take a load off.

But they struggled to remain in their cushioned chairs, too excited with the spirited comeback going on despite being undermanned with Brandon Miller sitting out. Apparently, they were energized by a fiery speech from the team’s highest paid player and heeded LaMelo Ball’s words in powering past Washington 139-113 on Sunday night.

“(Shoot), it was really Melo,” Miles Bridges said of the Hornets’ second half turnaround that transformed an 11-point halftime deficit into a double-digit victory. Melo came in, gave me an ear full. I didn’t come out ready to play, so I’m not used to Melo doing that.

“He told me, ‘Lock in. Lock in, play like I usually play. I’m playing like a (bum) right now. He turned it up and everybody else turned up. We go as the head of the snake go. So, if he’s leading like that, with that type of passion, people are going to listen to him.”

...

“What stands out is that after the game he said he was most excited about the fact that he won, not even the triple-double,” Charlotte coach Charles Lee said. “So, that part stands out to me first and foremost. And then when a guy wants to play that unselfishly, as well as you’re scoring the ball, a guy that wants to step in there, and I think he has some big offensive rebounds for us, he also has some big defensive rebounds, it just shows that you’re locked in to all facets of the game and you’re more than just a scorer.

“You are trying to impact the game in a lot of different ways. And so I love where his mentality is right now.”

[LofJ]

Grown man LaMelo is the scariest player to wear the teal/purple since Larry Johnson pre back injury.

This is what we've all been dreaming about.

[Chapelchilla]

I have been impressed with Melo's improved hustle so far this year. Diving for loose balls, moving on D, rebounding- all around more engaged.

[LofJ]

LaMelo is the only player on this team that could get away with calling Bridges a bum. I love, love, love that he called him out and then set the tone with his own play. That is what leadership is all about.

[Liver_Pooty]

Glad he called him out. Miles looked like he was just in it for the cardio first half last night. Very unlike him.

[Chapelchilla]

Glad he called him out. Miles looked like he was just in it for the cardio first half last night. Very unlike him.

Hopefully he did not go back to his clubbin ways after the game in Philly Saturday night. Maybe just run down a little.

[Liver_Pooty]

For what it’s worth 38+13+13+3=6 7.

[Bassman]

Hearing this coming from LaMelo is blowing my mind…in a great way. Between his play last night, and hearing how he CALLED OUT himself and his team out and stormed back, it’s the FIRST time he’s given me that Matrix chill:

“HE’S THE ONE”

If he can stay healthy and keep doing this…mercy! BTW I noticed he got dinged at some point, was limping a bit (I said oh crap)…but he just toughed it out and pushed through it.

[Hornet Mania]

The prince that was promised.

I hope he makes everyone eat crow.

[Braggins]

"The Experiment" would be a pretty cool nickname for him.

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