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LeMelo Ball Scouting: Discuss

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Strengths: 6’6 point guard … Good size and length, especially for position … Can shoot off the catch or dribble. Shoots it well from deep and has good arc on shot, most of his makes find the bottom of the net. Hits shots from the NBA 3PT line and is a threat to score from literally anywhere in the half court. His jump shot keeps the defense tense and they must guard him tight away from the basket. Good free throw shooter … Gets to the rim off the dribble, using an effective crossover. Good variety and craft as a finisher. Finishes very well in the paint and in traffic, uses glass when appropriate. Good touch on floater … Good ambidexterity, doesn’t hesitate to use either hand dribbling, passing, or finishing. Creative playing style. Very good ballhandler. Creates for himself and others naturally … High basketball IQ. Tremendous instincts, read and reacts, never hesitates or second guesses himself. Supreme self-confidence. Finds the open man when the help defense comes. Tremendous court vision, passing, and playmaking ability, top of his class.

Weaknesses: Smooth but not an incredibly explosive athlete. Doesn’t get much pop off two feet or in half court situations, especially compared to other guards in his class … Set point on shot is a bit low and he tends to fade a bit at times. Shot selection can improve, he’s a threat to score from anywhere but sometimes pulls up for deep and contested shots that aren’t necessary … Thrives in a fast-paced game, with that can come loose play and high turnovers … Skinny, lacks strength in both the upper and lower body … Can get more action off the ball, tends to drift at times. Roams defensively at times as well, gambling and looking for runout opportunities. - Read More
 
As long as they do enough psychological profiling to feel confident that he has an innate drive and competitiveness, then I think this is the guy I want. And someone who you could pair up with almost any type of backcourt running mate, since he could guard the 2 or 3 on defense while being the main PG on offense.
 
His high usage isn't an issue for me because he has high level IQ and spacial awareness, looking for the flashy assist with as much pride as a flashy bucket. He can hit threes and has the length to defend threes. If the Cavs luck out with a top three pick, Ball is my preference. I could see Bickerstaff and Gottlieb coaching some of those bad habits out of his game. If we don't end up with a small forward, this guy is the right fit.
 
His high usage isn't an issue for me because he has high level IQ and spacial awareness, looking for the flashy assist with as much pride as a flashy bucket. He can hit threes and has the length to defend threes. If the Cavs luck out with a top three pick, Ball is my preference. I could see Bickerstaff and Gottlieb coaching some of those bad habits out of his game. If we don't end up with a small forward, this guy is the right fit.

In his highest upside form, his body fills out and he can essentially guard positions 1-3 with ease(and 4 in a pinch) making him a great pairing with any backcourt mate but especially Sexton, who can play off ball with Melo is on the court, play PG the minutes Melo rests and can always match up against the opposing teams PG or shortest guard at all times
 
Drafting another point guard takes away playing time to develop sexton and garland. The cavs has to prioritize player development not just getting the best player available.
 
Drafting another point guard takes away playing time to develop sexton and garland. The cavs has to prioritize player development not just getting the best player available.

In fairness, that can be an “and” instead of an “or.” Draft the BPA, develop all the guys we have, and don’t let traditional views of positions in the NBA cause you to make a potentially huge mistake in the draft.
 
The Cavs should definitely take Ball, if he's available and if he would agree to play for Cleveland. (Didn't Lonzo refuse to play for the 76ers, forcing them to draft Fultz?)

I agree that a backcourt of Ball and Sexton would be much better defensively than Garland and Sexton. And then Garland could come off the bench where he could gain experience gradually.

That still would not solve the problem at the starting SF position. But maybe Osman can improve, or maybe KPJ can play SF at 6'5, or maybe the Cavs can sign a good defensive SF in the off season, or maybe Nance can play some minutes at SF like one poster here thinks, or maybe the Cavs could draft a decent defensive SF early in the 2nd round (Villanova's Saddiq Bey?).
 
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He's such a bad shooter, I don't think it will translate to the NBA.

You're thinking of Lonzo. LeMelo is a much, much better shooter than Lonzo.
 
You're thinking of Lonzo. LeMelo is a much, much better shooter than Lonzo.
He's not thinking of Lonzo. Small sample size, but LaMelo shot just 25% from deep on nearly 7 attempts per game in Australia this year.

I keep seeing him described as a good shooter, but he's been streaky at best from Chino to Lithuania to AAU to SPIRE to the ABL.

Also, not directed at you, but he may have the size to defend the wing, but he's never shown himself to be much more than a lackadaisical turnstile defender.
 
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Drafting another point guard takes away playing time to develop sexton and garland. The cavs has to prioritize player development not just getting the best player available.
Sound approach! However

Remember vividly being in the war room in ‘84 and Dr. Jack Ramsay said we go with Jordan here at 2 because he’s f$&@ing Michael Jordan.

Ownership said NO! “We have Drexler.. We must develop Drexler so he could never win us a title, lose to Michael Jordan in the finals and win a championship for another team when Michael Jordan is playing whiffle ball”

Dr Jack said GTFO...Got subsequently chloroformed and body waxed that night

They ran the card up there that said Sam Bowie.

Rip city tho ! Can NOT take that away from them.
 
He's not thinking of Lonzo. Small sample size, but LaMelo shot just 25% from deep on nearly 7 attempts in Australia this year.

I keep seeing him described as a good shooter, but he's been streaky at best from Chino to Lithuania to AAU to SPIRE to the ABL.

Also, not directed at you, but he may have the size to defend the wing, but he's never shown himself to be much more than a lackadaisical turnstile defender.

Interesting post. If the scouting reports are wrong and he can't shoot from the NBA 3 point line very well, he can still make plays.

I mean Ben Simmons can't shoot to save his life, but he's an effective PG.
 
Interesting post. If the scouting reports are wrong, and he can't shoot from the NBA 3 point line very well, he can still make plays.

I mean Ben Simmons can't shoot to save his life, but he's an effective PG.
Ben Simmons is also an elite defender and finisher around the rim.

There is certainly a pathway to LaMelo being a high-level NBA player, but he has major concerns (as does everyone in this class)
 
Still forming my opinion of him as a defensive prospect, but I'll add to the discussion that he was an exceptional rebounder in spite of his skinny frame and apparent carelessness. He ranked 1st among all NBL point guards in rebound rate, and 3rd among all perimeter players. Unexpected for an 18-year-old playing against grown men.
 
Drafting another point guard takes away playing time to develop sexton and garland. The cavs has to prioritize player development not just getting the best player available.
get the best player, trade Garland or Sexton if it makes sense. LeMelo looks like he could be the BPA 1-3. If you think he is you have to take him.

I like his quick-ish release, his passing is obvious, like that he rebounds well. I wonder if he could bulk up enough to play a hybrid 3 (PG/SF) because then he'd almost be ideal playing with Sexton.
 

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