NBA Preseason Games

[Cellar-Door]

LaMelo had 15 assists to 14 turnovers in the preseason, to go with abysmal shooting from the floor and 3.

He's probably gonna be one of the worst players in the league this year. Question is where he goes after that, but for now he looks likely to be very bad short term

 

[TripleOT]

LaMelo had 15 assists to 14 turnovers in the preseason, to go with abysmal shooting from the floor and 3.

He's probably gonna be one of the worst players in the league this year. Question is where he goes after that, but for now he looks likely to be very bad short term

But almost every one of those assists were eye popping. Melo has tremendous passing ability, including long passes in the open floor. I’d rather have a rookie show that he can make unbelievable passes, and learn to curtail the mistakes, than one who doesn’t even see see those passing opportunities.

Melo can be effective rebounding and pushing the ball. His shot mechanics are non traditional, to day the least, and he might have to rebuild his shot in the summer. I think he’s going to be an exceptional NBA player

 

[DannyDarwinism]

It’s funny because, for all their similarities, I have the opposite concern for Lamelo than I did for Lonzo coming out, in that I think he’ll get his, stat-wise (at least putting shooting efficiency aside), but I’m pretty skeptical of him actually contributing to winning. Maybe it’s unfair because it is a league of grown men, but I can’t overlook that he had the worst +/- for the worst team in the NBL. And elite vision isn’t enough in and of itself, particularly when there’s porous perimeter defense and bad shooting with an even worse shot selection. I’m hoping he’s smart enough to figure out what he needs to do and hardworking enough to do it, because I love love love watching incredible passers, but I agree that he’s going to really struggle this year. Charlotte is a very good under play, IMO.

FWIW, it seems like everyone who played with him in Australia loved him, and thought he was a sweet, down-to-earth kid and a good teammate, which was surprising to read based off of my general impression of him.

 

[BigSoxFan]

It's amazing how Miami finds all this talent. Part of it is Miami had playing time to devote to their "lesser" prospects because they didn't have many vets hogging up playing time. Sometimes I think the C's play whoever gives them the best chance to win now at the detriment of the future.

Some of the talent isn't even all that hidden either. They were hand gifted Precious and I think he's going to fit in extremely well in Miami. If his 3 point shot develops, ugh.

Miami and Denver are just really good at drafting.

The Clippers not using one of their late lottos in 2018 on Porter Jr. was criminal. They made a master move by stealing Shai from Charlotte and had Michael Porter Jr. sitting there with the other one. And they took Jerome Robinson instead. As a BC grad, I watched him a ton and never really thought of him as an impact NBA guy at all.

Takes some luck but Miami and Denver have pounced when the rest of the league leaves the door ajar.

 

[Kliq]

The Clippers not using one of their late lottos in 2018 on Porter Jr. was criminal. They made a master move by stealing Shai from Charlotte and had Michael Porter Jr. sitting there with the other one. And they took Jerome Robinson instead. As a BC grad, I watched him a ton and never really thought of him as an impact NBA guy at all.

Takes some luck but Miami and Denver have pounced when the rest of the league leaves the door ajar.

Have to throw in Toronto as well, they pull guys out of thin air that can all shoot and defend.

 

[benhogan]

Have to throw in Toronto as well, they pull guys out of thin air that can all shoot and defend.

do they pull talent out of thin air?

or do teams like Toronto, Miami, Denver develop talent better?

I think a lot of it is a development approach.

 

[Kliq]

do they pull talent out of thin air?

or do teams like Toronto, Miami, Denver develop talent better?

I think a lot of it is a development approach.

I'm not saying they actually pull talent out of thin air and it's all shit luck.

There has been a lot of coverage from NBA Insiders about the Raptors G League team, Raptors 905, and how successful they have been at developing talent. People don't care that the Raptors 905 won the 2016 G League Championship; but the core of that team included Pascal Siakam, Fred Van Vleet and Norm Powell, all of whom would go on to be key players in the 2019 Raptors title. There is a good article on SB Nation about how they run Raptors 905 more like a soccer academy and less like a minor league team.

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/8/22/20801451/raptors-905-g-league-team-player-development-pascal-siakam-fred-vanvleet

 

[benhogan]

I'm not saying they actually pull talent out of thin air and it's all shit luck.

There has been a lot of coverage from NBA Insiders about the Raptors G League team, Raptors 905, and how successful they have been at developing talent. People don't care that the Raptors 905 won the 2016 G League Championship; but the core of that team included Pascal Siakam, Fred Van Vleet and Norm Powell, all of whom would go on to be key players in the 2019 Raptors title. There is a good article on SB Nation about how they run Raptors 905 more like a soccer academy and less like a minor league team.

https://www.sbnation.com/2019/8/22/20801451/raptors-905-g-league-team-player-development-pascal-siakam-fred-vanvleet

good article. thanks

 

[Cellar-Door]

But almost every one of those assists were eye popping. Melo has tremendous passing ability, including long passes in the open floor. I’d rather have a rookie show that he can make unbelievable passes, and learn to curtail the mistakes, than one who doesn’t even see see those passing opportunities.

Melo can be effective rebounding and pushing the ball. His shot mechanics are non traditional, to day the least, and he might have to rebuild his shot in the summer. I think he’s going to be an exceptional NBA player

See to me... I think a lot of his "eye-popping" assists were taking fancy risky passes because he's looking for them, when he misses all the easy passes a PG should make. I also think many are more flashy than brilliant.

 

[Kliq]

See to me... I think a lot of his "eye-popping" assists were taking fancy risky passes because he's looking for them, when he misses all the easy passes a PG should make. I also think many are more flashy than brilliant.

I haven't watched LaMelo at all but that is what those stats and analysis would tell me as well. He's like Fitzpatrick; he'll make some "Wow!" throws in between terrible tosses into double-coverage.