LeMelo Ball Scouting: Discuss

[Nathan S]

Well, I still don’t think Trae Young plays winning basketball

Good point

I'm just making the argument that the same player can easily look like a guy who knows how to play winning basketball under certain circumstances, and look like a guy who doesn't know how to play winning basketball under different circumstances. Few 18/19 year olds handle adversity well.

Are we now calling the entire NBL superior opponents? Why do we want to ignore the countless red flags? Because he's 6'7 and can pass? I seriously can't believe people are advocating for the epitome of everything that is wrong with AAU ball.

As I mentioned earlier, his team went 1-13 when he didn't play. They were very obviously the worst team in the league, and were even worse without Ball.

 

[Man Called X]

Good point

I'm just making the argument that the same player can easily look like a guy who knows how to play winning basketball under certain circumstances, and look like a guy who doesn't know how to play winning basketball under different circumstances. Few 18/19 year olds handle adversity well.



As I mentioned earlier, his team went 1-13 when he didn't play. They were very obviously the worst team in the league, and were even worse without Ball.

The shiniest turd in a pile of turds is still a turd.

 

[JJ_PR]

Meh. Ball has a funky looking shot. He has talent, but we already have enough guards. Sexton is way better than LaMelo.

 

[I'mWithDan]

The shiniest turd in a pile of turds is still a turd.

Weber State didn't make the NCAA tournament in Lillard's 4 years. Even worse, 3 of the 4 years they got bounced out of the CIT/NIT in the first round. Sometimes individual talent doesn't always equate to team success as guys learn, mature, grow.

I think it tends to be a concern if guys play the wrong way and lose......but if it is a function of surrounding talent, immaturity or something similar, I really don't think that matters all that much.

I'm more undecided on Ball in all honesty........but I do think he has gotten better with his approach. Can it improve further? Certainly.......but over the past 24 months, he's gone from a guy who I thought was laughably overrated, to a player who actually looks like he's worth taking a calculated gamble on. I give him credit, as that rarely happens.

 

[ansatsusha80]

Larry Nance Jr. Breaks Down Why He's a 'Huge Fan' of LaMelo Ball - Cavaliers Nation

While Cleveland Cavaliers big man Larry Nance Jr. isn't familiar with all the potential prospects in the 2020 NBA draft, he wouldn't mind seeing the Cavaliers select LaMelo Ball with their top pick.

cavaliersnation.com

 

[Sebastian]

Meh. Ball has a funky looking shot. He has talent, but we already have enough guards. Sexton is way better than LaMelo.

I should think his size allows for some flexibility in terms of the guard billet.

If he can add muscle, and get his shooting down, and improve his defense (which is also a product of gaining strength) he could easily play positions 1-3 regardless of his official title of guard.

Not traditional, but someone of his size I think is a benefit in allowing the Cavs to play a position-less game at times and would constitute a defensive problem for the other team.

 

[adam81king]

I keep wanting to see Penny Hardaway when I see Melo, but I just see Shaun Livingston.

 

[Sebastian]

I keep wanting to see Penny Hardaway when I see Melo, but I just see Shaun Livingston.

That is the rub. Ball has a ways to go in his game.

If he improves through the right coaching and work ethic, and the other kids grow to their potential, a lineup of Sexton/KPJ/Ball in the backcourt or, shit, all together, could be a nightmare for opposing defenses (and a nightmare ON defense if they don't work on it).

One feels that Ball may represent one of two players in the Draft that may give the Cavs the true franchise player necessary to truly contend down the road.

 

[TheAdmin]

Ball has been and still is my pick.

 

[MirORich]

Ball has been and still is my pick.

Same. But I think you have to be picking it 1 or 2 to get him.

Before an eventual/possible trade or two, you would have 4 young guards who can all make plays for themselves and plays for others: Ball, Sexton, KPJ, Garland

Considering that Love, Cedi, and Nance Jr. are all scent playmakers for their position, there would be a lot of offensive potential on that team.

And the ability to always have two legit playmakers in the backcourt at the same time for the full 48

What is most exciting about Ball though is that he can fit with any roster configuration because what should be an ability to guard 1-3 and even 4 in some matchups which in a switch heavy NBA is critical.

He has a lot of work to do on his shot but I see nothing to say that he doesn’t love basketball, love competition(youngest brothers are often the toughest/most competitive), or is adverse to work.

But again, I don’t think he slips below 2 so for him to be are pick, gonna need one of the top2 picks imo.

 

[Sebastian]

Same. But I think you have to be picking it 1 or 2 to get him.

Before an eventual/possible trade or two, you would have 4 young guards who can all make plays for themselves and plays for others: Ball, Sexton, KPJ, Garland

Considering that Love, Cedi, and Nance Jr. are all scent playmakers for their position, there would be a lot of offensive potential on that team.

And the ability to always have two legit playmakers in the backcourt at the same time for the full 48

What is most exciting about Ball though is that he can fit with any roster configuration because what should be an ability to guard 1-3 and even 4 in some matchups which in a switch heavy NBA is critical.

He has a lot of work to do on his shot but I see nothing to say that he doesn’t love basketball, love competition(youngest brothers are often the toughest/most competitive), or is adverse to work.

But again, I don’t think he slips below 2 so for him to be are pick, gonna need one of the top2 picks imo.

That team would be a genuine pleasure to watch on offense.

Can you imagine? The combination of a big guard, a playmaker like Sexton, and Love's spacing...

And boy oh boy, you'd have to have your socks knocked off by the offense to make it through watching the defense, because yikes.

But also yes, at the very latest I think he might make it to #3...

Do you think the Warriors would take him at #1 if they won the Lottery?

 

[Adam]

That team would be a genuine pleasure to watch on offense.

Can you imagine? The combination of a big guard, a playmaker like Sexton, and Love's spacing...

And boy oh boy, you'd have to have your socks knocked off by the offense to make it through watching the defense, because yikes.

But also yes, at the very latest I think he might make it to #3...

Do you think the Warriors would take him at #1 if they won the Lottery?

doubt it. I can imagine them going wiseman due to his instant fit as a roll and lob threat with their veterans

 

[MirORich]

Golden State, if they even keep their pick, is unique because they’ll as a front office, be serving two masters:

-their talent evaluation of best long term prospect

-their assessment of best immediate and short term for of a team with a potential immediate championship window for the next few years.

They might be one of the few teams that wouldn’t take Melo in the top2.

but that’s just my speculation and I’m sure a better picture of the draft board league wide will spill out after the lottery on Aug 20th

 

[Sebastian]

Golden State, if they even keep their pick, is unique because they’ll as a front office, be serving two masters:

-their talent evaluation of best long term prospect

-their assessment of best immediate and short term for of a team with a potential immediate championship window for the next few years.

They might be one of the few teams that wouldn’t take Melo in the top2.

but that’s just my speculation and I’m sure a better picture of the draft board league wide will spill out after the lottery on Aug 20th

I am of the opinion that our erstwhile rivals are in a very dangerous position.

Because they are caught in-between two poles, they may outthink themselves.

Do they really have a title window for the next 2-3 years? How many of their Big Three will be healthy enough? And is losing even one of them enough to make them underdogs?

Luckily for them the decision is made easier by the relative weakness of this Draft class.

 

[Cavatt]

Golden State, if they even keep their pick, is unique because they’ll as a front office, be serving two masters:

-their talent evaluation of best long term prospect

-their assessment of best immediate and short term for of a team with a potential immediate championship window for the next few years.

They might be one of the few teams that wouldn’t take Melo in the top2.

but that’s just my speculation and I’m sure a better picture of the draft board league wide will spill out after the lottery on Aug 20th

On the other hand, I think Lamelo is the only guy at 1 that people might trade up for. So I could see the warriors trading him for someone more ready to compete next year.

If the Warriors keep their pick, I think they go Wiseman or Edwards. They have a need for both IMO.