McLemore evaluation

[Eoghan]

The stats aren't very kind but I'm curious as to how McLemore looks to the guys that watch the games. Thoughts?

TIA.

[City of Trees]

Short answer: the game hasn't slowed down for him yet. Once it does he should be fine. Dude has a good looking shot, is ridiculously athletic in the open court, and has good D potential. Ben is a work in progress.

[KingsMilz]

To me mentally he just seems so nervous and it's the reason he's missing so many wide open looks and dunks, he just needs to hit 1 or 2 to get his mojo back and not put the ball on the floor under any circumstance.

He's had some ok games and as far as shot selection in the half court it's been good, his decision making in the open floor due to have woeful ball handling has not. Also his post entry passes need a look of work he's dreadful getting the ball into Cousins and even more so Williams when he tries to post.

[Silver Man]

To put it simply, it just comes down to him getting more reps and game experience. Many don't realize while at Kansas he had to sit out his first year so the more experience and game time he gets the more comfort and feel he will get for the nba game but especially his own game.

[blind prophet]

He is only getting game time because we have been absolutely terrible at off guard for the most part.

Defensively he has made some athletic plays hear and there, but have seen him get lit up twice by Jamal Crawford and others.

I'd rather have a shot go in, than a good looking one brick personally, but his shot does go up fast and looks smooth.

He moves fairly well without the ball at times.

Seems like a nice fella as far as locker room drama or trouble is concerned.

If he starts hitting more shots the team will look for him more.

Fantastic athlete, if not for this people would be calling him a bust....

Personally call me in about 25 games or so, some fellas take time to develop, and at this point I am hesitant to make a prediction on young Ben.

[Kingsfan916619]

Ben mclemore has struggled but I think a lot of people expected him too. Mike Malone has been developing him properly IMO by giving him minutes and trying to get him as comfortable as possible in the offense. I think next year is when he really starts to put it all together after he has some more experience under his belt.

[408Kings]

He DOES look nervous out there!

- Has crazy athleticism and can jump through the roof (probably the most athletic guy on the team)
- Has the ability to make Andre Iguodala type blocks
- Has a sweet shot
- Moves well running around screens trying to get free

Cons:
- Very raw
- Doesn't have a really good handle and fumbles the ball often through traffic
- Overreacts to fakes and jab steps. Almost always jumps in the first direction an offensive player fakes to.
- Not a great passer

[gcates]

He'll be fine. There have been a LOT of changes in that starting lineup, and for a rookie that can lengthen the amount of time it takes to adjust to the game in general. Had to adjust to Derrick joining the starting 5, Vasquez leaving, now Rudy coming in as a starter...honestly on-court chemistry is significant factor in how a rookie adjusts to the NBA game, especially one like Ben who, at this point, is dependent upon others to get him the ball on time and in place to score primarily.

In the long-run, it'll start to click in time and as the years go by, he'll add more to his game. He's a worker and has a good attitude.

[Brapman]

Pistons fan. Before the draft I thought Ben wasn't all that as a prospect. I hated his agility athletic testing numbers in Chicago. IMO, that, along with length and wingspan for the position, are THE key indicators separating great from meh prospects at the SG position. (It pretty much kills him from the standpoint of ever being a top defender in this league. He's got the straight ahead speed and the length, and he jumps through the roof, but he cannot stay with SG's - he just doesn't have the feet or agility). I also hated how he disappeared a lot in college games. And I thought it was a terrible sign when scouting reports (quoting front office personnel) said that they were concerned because he presents as a "loves to win" guy and not a "hate to lose" guy -- the latter being a much better attribute for an NBA player. Worst of all was his awful handle. This is a kid who has no hope of creating his own shot right now - maybe ever. IMO, he's not a high BB IQ guy, not instinctive.

I don't get him being more than an off-the-bench rotation player in this league -- and that's only if he finds his shot. He's not an inherently confident kid. I could see the league eating him up so much that even though he has beautiful shot mechanics, that even his shooting won't surface. However, to be fair, that would be a surprise to me, even though I don't like him as a player. I think he'll become a deadly 3 pt specialist and will be a coveted role player in time. Upside: Kyle Korver, but much faster and a guy who'll make spectacular plays in transition.

His problem in Sacramento is you guys drafted him in the lottery, and he came to you with the reputation of having true star ability. It'll be hard for him to not be able to live up to those expectations. That could be a huge problem for him, even if he's otherwise an asset on very good NBA teams because of his shooting ability. And now, with Gay on your team along with Boogie and Isiah Thomas, it's highly doubtful that he'll get many shots up - and that's the one thing he should be able to do well. The current mix on your team is a killer for him.

[Jaylee209]

You have a hard-on for him huh? Go ahead and admit it.

[reedrodz]

Mc dont play good defense. And his offense is not too good either. And its too early to hit the rookie wall.

[Kings2013]

He has sucked, no dancing around it. He has not lived up to the expectations Kings fans had for him coming into the season. He's started to look better the last couple of games though.

[Dewey]

He has sucked, no dancing around it. He has not lived up to the expectations Kings fans had for him coming into the season. He's started to look better the last couple of games though.

MN and SAC should have included Dwill for McLemore plus whatever fillers ... MN still needs a SG in a bad way

[need4detroit]

See KCP. Give him more time. He's only 20.

[KF10]

See KCP. Give him more time. He's only 20.

Yeah, I think both of their situations are pretty damn similar.

They are not hitting their shots that they are suppose to.

They also have their own teammates not having confidence in them to do the right things so they regularly get ignored on offense. But that's probably because they continually miss shots and make poor decisions.

Both players are raw as heck but I think by next season, they will be much better. Let them play through their mistakes and learn from them.

[Kings2013]

There is a difference in fan reactions to the two players. Pistons fans from what I have seen tend to get on KCP, whereas Kings fans tend to go to lengths to defend McLemore (not me of course)

[Brapman]

You're wrong. Pistons fans like what we see from KCP, a lot. Very playable guy. Great defender. We think he'll be a very fine scorer.our only Queston now is whether we should have picked MCW, but that's a question every team is thinking about.

[Kings2013]

You're wrong. Pistons fans like what we see from KCP, a lot. Very playable guy. Great defender. We think he'll be a very fine scorer.our only Queston now is whether we should have picked MCW, but that's a question every team is thinking about.

I guess KCP has been playing better lately so this might influence Pistons fans current opinions, but from the multiple threads I've read on this subject in the Pistons forum I'm right. There was a mixed opinion on him and many were down on him, there were even threads created on who else should have been taken and it was more than just MCW. Anyways, no point in arguing about this as it is subjective and not really important

[Kings2013]

The longer he goes not showing proper flashes the more you have to be concerned about his future as a Kings fan.

[KF10]

He is playing too fast, rushing his shots and his confidence is low right now. Not a good thing at all.