LaMelephant: The LaMelo Ball Thread (#2)

[Walt Cronkite]

Something I've been considering since KJ's comments about Miles being a (the?) team leader (and I thought about putting this in there, but don't particularly want to bump his thread over this since we're discussing it here):

While I'm not super stoked about Miles still being around, i do think it's possible that he could be having a positive impact on some of the young players, especially maybe the fringe guys, without toxifying the locker room. I don't exactly know how to put it and his actions don't have me fully convinced that he's significantly turned over a new leaf or whatever, but in my own life other people's gigantic blunders have probably made a bigger impact than my own goofs, which have already taught me way more than my own successes. Miles is especially knowledgeable about how being unprofessional off the court can cost you dearly, so I could see younger guys taking more serious his personal tale about trying your hardest every day bc it could end pretty quickly, than that sentiment coming from LaMelo or Mason or Connaughton or whatever vet on the roster I'm not thinking of. I totally get why it's a scary idea and can reflect poorly on the franchise culture though, just something I've been knocking around.

[wilson115]

But why in the world was he getting into it with his old pal Onyeka

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[fatlever]

Something I've been considering since KJ's comments about Miles being a (the?) team leader (and I thought about putting this in there, but don't particularly want to bump his thread over this since we're discussing it here):

While I'm not super stoked about Miles still being around, i do think it's possible that he could be having a positive impact on some of the young players, especially maybe the fringe guys, without toxifying the locker room. I don't exactly know how to put it and his actions don't have me fully convinced that he's significantly turned over a new leaf or whatever, but in my own life other people's gigantic blunders have probably made a bigger impact than my own goofs, which have already taught me way more than my own successes. Miles is especially knowledgeable about how being unprofessional off the court can cost you dearly, so I could see younger guys taking more serious his personal tale about trying your hardest every day bc it could end pretty quickly, than that sentiment coming from LaMelo or Mason or Connaughton or whatever vet on the roster I'm not thinking of. I totally get why it's a scary idea and can reflect poorly on the franchise culture though, just something I've been knocking around.

I would believe that's the case if there was any indication that miles is a changed man. But nothing from his behavior off the court with the women he's still got in his life suggests that he has learned a lesson, changed his behavior, or is able to see the error of his ways to the point that he could talk about being a cautionary tale for the Young players.

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[Bassman]

Anyone notice that Melo wasn’t shooting his 3’s off 1 foot last night? I might have missed some as his back was to the camera on a couple, but clearly he had both feet planted (albeit one ahead of the other) on several I saw. Excellent percentage from 3 also. Just a coincidence? Maybe they’re working with him on that, helping him understand how much better his shooting base is (for consistency) using both feet.

[JustBuzzin]

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[yosemiteben]

Melo shooting splits by month:

October - 44.2% FG, 34.6% 3PT, 57.5% TS
November - 33.6% FG, 22.6% 3PT, 44.0% TS
December - 45.6% FG, 45.0% 3PT, 62.2% TS

[vorbis]

Melo was fantastic against the Wizards on Tuesday night. I noted that he set the entire tone at the beginning of the 4th when the Hornets seized the game and didn't look back. 4p/2r/1a in the first 90 seconds. I've never wanted to trade him. is there a theoretical deal where I would sign off due to the value? yeah. but that deal isn't landing on the Hornets' doorstep. so keep him healthy and build around him.

[JMAC3]

Per 75 possessions.
LaMelo averages 25.1 pts, plus 25.6 pts from assists. So he accounts for 50.7 points per game.

Coby White averages 24.1 pts, plus 14.7 pts from assists. So he accounts for 38.8 points per game.
Quickley averages 18.3 pts 17.1 pts from assists. So he accounts for 35.4 points per game.
Pritchard averages 19.3 pts and 14.5 pts from assists. So he accounts for 33.8 points per game.

Luka averages 33.4 pts, 19.9 pts from assists. Accounts for 53.3 pts per game.
Shai averages 34 pts, 17.5 pts from assists. Accounts for 51.5 pts per game.
Brunson averages 30.4 pts, 16.8 pts from assists. Accounts for 47.2 pts per game.

LaMelo is a true offensive engine, who makes the game easier for his teammates.
LaMelo's teammates shoot 80% efg%
5.9 rim assists per game.
LaMelo 21.4 potential assists per game.

Luka teammates shoot 71.5% efg
4.8 rim ast per game
18.6 potential assists per game.

Shai teammates shoot 63.5 efg%
2.4 rim assists per game.
18.4 potential assists per game.

Brunson teammates shoot 66.5 efg%
3.4 rim assists per game.
16.8 potential assists per game.

[EmpireFalls]

LaMelo in December: 21.4 PPG on 45/47/87 splits, 4.4 threes a game, 4 rebounds 8 assists, 1 steal

Not bad considering he’s doing this on minutes restrictions

[Bassman]

LaMelo in December: 21.4 PPG on 45/47/87 splits, 4.4 threes a game, 4 rebounds 8 assists, 1 steal

Not bad considering he’s doing this on minutes restrictions

And if he would JUST stop the stupid stuff (turnovers, rushed shots early in the clock, stylistic circus moves), be an average defender, and raise his assists to leader levels, we’d be asking which crazy high trade offer are we even willing to consider!

I’d love almost nothing more than to see Ball grow up, be a transformational talent AND producer while staying healthy.

What if we added a really good center, and PF? Would Melo be disciplined enough to engage all these weapons? I hope we get to see that.

[Chapelchilla]

LaMelo in December: 21.4 PPG on 45/47/87 splits, 4.4 threes a game, 4 rebounds 8 assists, 1 steal

Not bad considering he’s doing this on minutes restrictions

And if he would JUST stop the stupid stuff (turnovers, rushed shots early in the clock, stylistic circus moves), be an average defender, and raise his assists to leader levels, we’d be asking which crazy high trade offer are we even willing to consider!

I’d love almost nothing more than to see Ball grow up, be a transformational talent AND producer while staying healthy.

What if we added a really good center, and PF? Would Melo be disciplined enough to engage all these weapons? I hope we get to see that.

Yep, he is like 75% of a superstar. The talent is there but the health and intangibles have not.
The tantalizing part is that he still could....

[Diop]

My love/hate relationship with him continues, if you need a score in the clutch he is our best guy to start the play. But his handle and passes are so loose at times. Do you just take the good with the bad?
Kobe would hit a game winner one day then go 2 for 23 the next while never looking to pass it off.

It’s a tough position, just to keep myself accountable I will stick to trade him if the package is good right now. (Which is unlikely, so we’re keeping him)

[JustBuzzin]

I think LaMelo/Kon/Miller fits, but we have to do better surrounding them with players that fit.

Our front court is terrible Miles/Kalk just ain't it. Miles is a undersized pf with tunnel vision. Kalk is a backup at best.

Are they banking on a pf in the draft who knows...

[Diop]

Salauns success shows that a decent role player would be find alongside our big 3.

We don’t need the scoring/passing boost that miles brings in exchange for poor defensive awareness

[fatlever]

If 28 minutes a game for the rest of his career is what it takes for him to play 65 Plus games and playing back-to-backs then I will take it.

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[HornetJail]

If 28 minutes a game for the rest of his career is what it takes for him to play 65 Plus games and playing back-to-backs then I will take it.

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Those 28mpg should be spread out a little better though. Lee sat Melo for like 10-12 minutes straight a couple games ago and it was rough

[JMAC3]

His mins are down the last 2 games since both were back to back. So instead of playing him 30-32 mins in one of the games they played him 26 mins in both games.

He has played in 25/35 games. Currently pacing for 58 games played. Which as I mentioned before several times would be a massive step in the right direction for him.

[wilson115]

"Imma get rid of it ryt here"

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[fatlever]

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[fatlever]

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i swear... The 2000s player generation turned podcasters turned embarrassing ESPN analysts has got to be the most embarrassing group of sports personalities in the history of sports TV. Every single **** one of these ex NBA players from that era says the dumbest **** possible on a daily basis.