Ball Don't Lie: The LaMelo Ball Thread

[BigSlam]

The nightmare scenario is LaMelo first and then the Hornets trading up for him.

It wouldn’t match my Morrison draft night rage, but trading up for #1 while giving up considerable assets just to draft Ball would slide solidly into the #2 spot and move my Richardson draft night rage into #3 position.


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[JMAC3]

A little part of me hopes Ball is gone just so that isn’t over our heads if we do take him/pass and he booms/busts.

However if we do land him I will be excited because he has the highest ceiling, best potential star power to bring in TV/Media Buzz and potential to land us free agents.

He isn’t the same player as Doncic/Young but he is similar in how you can build around him with players who are good 3D players and Rim running bigs.

Ball
3D two guard
Scoring Wing
Pick and pop 4
Rim running 5

[DY_nasty]

i feel like you can call anyone a high ceiling, high potential player if you do it for lamelo....

[amcoolio]

I don't know, Zach Lowe and Giovanny on the podcast yesterday are really selling me on Ball

They make it seem Ball is going #1 regardless

-Shot got better, he no longer kicks out which is indicative of his lack of strength as a 15-17 year old playing against men
-Size and length makes it easier for him to be passable on defense
-Compared him to a bigger Trae Young who needs to work on shooting form but is a better passer, way better defensive IQ and an elite rebounder/outlet passer as a guard
-Will struggle in the half court for the first few years

All of them think he is better than Edwards who may drop out of the top 4. Giovanny has Ball/Okongwu/Okoro top 3.

[James Gatz]

Glad some people are coming around on Ball!

The Lowe Post yesterday did a great job of laying out what type of guy I've imagined him becoming. It's really too bad we won't get him because he's the exactly type of guy you can build a team around. JMACs roster breakdown is almost exactly how I see it. If you can find "the guy" its way easier to put pieces around.

Honestly Trae is interesting comp for Lamelo. Both are incredible passers and ball handlers and the engine of an offense. Trae is clearly a better shooter, yet they both take similar shots, but Ball will certainly be better on D.

If we could trade Bridges + something else small to get up to 1 I'd take the risk.

[JMAC3]

Stolen from ESPN new scouting video:

There have been 2 players ever to average over 10 assists in a season over 6-6. LeBron and Magic... Melo has a shot to join them.

[fatlever]

The nightmare scenario is LaMelo first and then the Hornets trading up for him.

It wouldn’t match my Morrison draft night rage, but trading up for #1 while giving up considerable assets just to draft Ball would slide solidly into the #2 spot and move my Richardson draft night rage into #3 position.


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That Jason Richardson draft is probably the angriest I've ever been on draft night. That or Brook Lopez Fiasco. Hard to put the Frank Kaminsky disaster on that level because it was still very unclear what was being offered on draft night. Hell, 5 years later and I still don't really believe what was rumored to be offered.

However, reading the quotes from Curtis Park later that year about how we couldn't trade for multiple picks because what would we do with them, it's one of the most infuriating statements in the history of being a hornets fan.

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[Liver_Pooty]

Rumor that Chicago might be willing to trade 4 and Wendell Carter to move up to 1 for Ball. Id be pissed as a Bulls fan if that happened

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

For me, LaMelo is a bit like Edwards. He could really develop into an amazing player ... but he'll need the right situation for that to happen.

[MasterIchiro]

Rumor that Chicago might be willing to trade 4 and Wendell Carter to move up to 1 for Ball. Id be pissed as a Bulls fan if that happened

It's fantastic for us though. It means Edwards or Avdija will be there when Kupchak selects.

[Rays Pompadour]

What is the right situation for Ball and Edwards? Is a franchise dedicated to player development like Charlotte a good place to land? Or is a veteran team with a strong drive for winning the better situation? Does the roster dictate the situation or does organizational fundamentals like Miami and San Antonio mean more?

[Vanderbilt_Grad]

What is the right situation for Ball and Edwards? Is a franchise dedicated to player development like Charlotte a good place to land? Or is a veteran team with a strong drive for winning the better situation? Does the roster dictate the situation or does organizational fundamentals like Miami and San Antonio mean more?

It's not just good development. They need a team that prioritizes winning or that is highly disciplined. Just off the top of my head (and all IMHO)

Ideal:
* Miami
* Golden State
* Boston
* Dallas
* Toronto

Good:
* Denver
* Milwaukee
* San Antonio
* Utah

Maybe
* Lakers
* Clippers
* OKC
* Nets

[Rich4114]

The nightmare scenario is LaMelo first and then the Hornets trading up for him.

It wouldn’t match my Morrison draft night rage, but trading up for #1 while giving up considerable assets just to draft Ball would slide solidly into the #2 spot and move my Richardson draft night rage into #3 position.


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That Jason Richardson draft is probably the angriest I've ever been on draft night. That or Brook Lopez Fiasco. Hard to put the Frank Kaminsky disaster on that level because it was still very unclear what was being offered on draft night. Hell, 5 years later and I still don't really believe what was rumored to be offered.

However, reading the quotes from Curtis Park later that year about how we couldn't trade for multiple picks because what would we do with them, it's one of the most infuriating statements in the history of being a hornets fan.

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The Lopez one is up there for me but nothing tops Bernies refusal to deal 5 and 13 for Chris Paul. Generational player we could’ve had in our second season back. Nothing tops that blunder for me, not even the Morrison pick.

[Rich4114]

I thought one of the biggest knocks on Edwards was that his team barely won. I believe that was a similar knock on Donavan Mitchell. I think this draft ends up exactly where it started after the lottery and that’s with Ball Edwards and Wiseman going top 3.

I’ve been going back and forth on Ball. The Trae comparisons are interesting for me as well. I can’t help but think he’s more Ben Simmons for comparisons sake though. It just seems like the one sure thing about Ball is elite passing and playmaking which we need. The questions about everything else are what makes it possible to pick someone with an elite skill at number 3.

[BigSlam]

...for me but nothing tops Bernies refusal to deal 5 and 13 for Chris Paul. Generational player we could’ve had in our second season back. Nothing tops that blunder for me, not even the Morrison pick.

Fair call - although we were SO bereft of depth and talent at the start I kinda understand them wanting to add as many quality young prospects as possible, and with the way Felton and May played that championship season they were understandable picks. It’s just a shame McMay couldn’t stay off the McBurgers because he was too busy “p*ssing excellence”!!!




Back to Ball...

I think his ideal fit is 100% in Chicago.


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[amcoolio]

If Ball really did fix his shot over the past year (his shot was improving in Australia last 10 games) like some people have said, then its a no brainer pick at 3

Then again this could be ESPN hype machine to get Ball to the top of the draft

[Rich4114]

If Ball really did fix his shot over the past year (his shot was improving in Australia last 10 games) like some people have said, then its a no brainer pick at 3

Then again this could be ESPN hype machine to get Ball to the top of the draft

100% this, that's the #1 concern for me on Ball and if he's improving already I feel way better about picking him. I do laugh when I see national media suggest we wouldn't take a guard because we have Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier. I am confident the organization is not factoring in position right now. Talent is the priority and worry about position later.

[JMAC3]

Ball is going to be really good on the Warriors playing the KD role of scoring and being a secondary playmaker for Steph. He is going to average 10+ assists passing to Klay and Steph all game.

Bob Myers is a guy who thinks he is smarter than all other teams/Gms. You really think he is leaking he likes Wiseman just so Hornets can trade up to get him?

[countryboi]

Watch on YouTube

In short,
excellent passer and ball handler has unteachable court vision and could be one of the best ball handlers very early on in his career
Poor but fixable shot mechanics, he should 37 from three when he worked on his foot work.
Piss poor defender and will most likely never been great but has the tools to be good or passable.

comparison:
Pistol Pete

[DY_nasty]

hall of fame pistol pete?

word?