LaMelo Ball is a passing prodigy...but can he be a star?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 ก.พ. 2021
- LaMelo Ball has been the league's most exciting rookie after 20 games. How good can he be? Is LaMelo all hype or does he have legitimate All-Star potential? This detailed film room analysis looks at the Hornets rookie guard, incorporating data and stats to understand how good he might be.
Yes, that's an @JoeVincentPresents homage at 0:43.
Support at Patreon: / thinkingbasketball
Book: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Baske...
Podcast: player.fm/series/thinking-bas... or at www.stitcher.com/podcast/ben-...
Website: www.backpicks.com
Twitter: @elgee35
Ben Taylor is the author of Thinking Basketball, a Nylon Calculus contributor, creator of the Backpicks Top 40 series & host of the Thinking Basketball podcast.
Stats courtesy:
www.pbpstats.com @bballport
www.basketball-reference.com
stats.nba.com
-----
Footage in this video is owned by the NBA and its partners. It is intended for critique and education.
Music by csus (instrumental)
#ThinkingBasketball - กีฬา
Yes, 0:43 is an homage to the legendary Joseph Vincent.
As for "All-Star" being a conservative peak for LaMelo, it is to a degree. The challenge with a unique player like him is that his growth curve isn't necessarily going to be traditional, which creates variability in his outcome.
WHO CARES !? just play ball
Imagine in a couple years when the raw flashy plays are dialed down to a level where he only does it only out of necessity. When he has become a polished 6'8" point guard with complete court vision and a respectable midrange. An Anfernee Hardaway in his prime, had he not gotten injured....comes to mind!
Lamelo will end up with better stats than Lonzo, but Liangelo still has the most steals
Would love a mvp Derrick rose vid one day ben
@@CaesarCassius JAJA
"Lunging two feet forward into the defender should be an offensive foul".. Preach!!!
I'm with you on that.
Tough call for the refs because what if the defender is jumping towards the shooter. You can't have both.
@@lilwilly338 I feel like if the defender jumps then the offensive players jump into them maybe that’d be easier, and if they both jumped at the same time it’d be a regular foul, idk
That should be an offensive foul, who the hell shots a ball shoulder first? Refs should just observe if the shot attempt is natural or not. If not then that should be an offensive foul
@@lilwilly338 it is super easy to see when a player is actually having his space invaded, or when a player is claiming space that is not his just to get a foul. If the defensive player got in that space before the offensive one, it should be his space. That is a rule the nba changed to get more points = more views, but it makes the game so much worse to see when defense cant be played
He looks like he's having fun playing basketball, trying all sort of things without reserve.
James Borrego has him on a short leash but the national media won’t cover it.
Hornets coach embarrassed by Charlotte media for mistreating LaMelo and stunting his growth - th-cam.com/video/_t_EUPNPsmk/w-d-xo.html James Borrego admits to prioritizing veteran contracts over development of his star rookie.
There is evidence that what Borrego is doing has actively hurt Lamelos confidence and his development. Borrego began dropping Melos minutes and benching him more frequently (playing him in short spurt *again* ) while Melo was on a peak in development; and the team had just won 3 games straight, starting with the historic triple-double. He was only averaging 2.3 turnovers a game. Marked lower than Ja Morant or Luka Doncic on a per 36 minute basis in their rookie years. 2.8 (Melo) and 3.8 (Ja) and 3.8 respectively. Lamelo up until that point *never* had a 5 turnover game. The coach’s decision to cut his minutes and revert back to short 6 minutes spurts (disrupting Lamelo’s rhythm) was random and unexplainable. It came out of no where. And when you consider that Borrgeo was explicit about LaMelo earning his minutes, it’s completely unjustifiable. Melos performance then dropped off a cliff. His turnovers increased and Borrego dropped his minutes even further to 16, using turnovers as justification. He then blasted his rookie in the media and everyone ran with it. Despite the fact that he had protected the ball relatively well up to this point, compared to previous star rookies. This has all the hallmarks of a nasty gaslighting. It got so bad that Scott Fowler and the local Charlotte media embarrassed Borrego for not starting LaMelo. Borrego still didn’t start him but you know what he did do? He increased his minutes back to 28 and stopped benching him, allowed Melo to play through his mistakes, and *stopped playing him in short spurts.* The Hornets go on a three game win streak, wax the Bucks, smack the champion runner ups, and Melo has his greatest game of the season with 27 points 9 assists 5 rebounds 4 steals w/ one turnover.
Keep in mind this is actually the *SECOND TIME* fans and the local media have placed pressure on Borrego to increase his minutes. No one knows about it because the national media ignores it. In fact they actually gave cover to the coach. I speculate that is because he’s associated with Popovich as well the media knowing its credibility is on the line for downing this kid.
This looks like sabotage.
“Charlotte Hornets need to start LaMelo Ball NOW. They need someone to save their season” - Read more here: www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article248819160.html#storylink=cpy
Hey like the Great One said: "You reach, I teach."
@@daindigokid damn that's a nice argumentative essay
@@scordatura9259 he is in his bag😂
@@daindigokid it's not sabotage; it's looking for another lottery pick. Decreasing LaMelo's value statistically is the icing on the cake. second, from eye test, a facilitating point guard raises the floor of a team because there's less bad decision-making from the rest of the team. The other team also gets to move freely attacking open spaces for clean looks with a passer like LaMelo. Look at the Last Dance, it's history repeating itself, great player that raises the team's floor gets a minutes restriction to try for a lottery pick. There was the Grant Hill sweepstakes in which the Pistons got top 5 odds for 1 (Isiah Thomas & Joe Dumars). The Tim Duncan sweepstakes in which the Spurs (David Robinson, Nique, Sean Elliot (all star caliber)) were Top 3 in odds.
Ben casually predicting rule change from the next offseason at 6:54
Amazing to see Lamelo's greatness covered in the greatest peaks series 😳
excuses me?
excuses me?
excuses me?
Excuses me?
This isn't greatest peaks?
He's amazing, but the one key factor I see in him is that he makes the game look so EASY.
You think any of that looks easy?
@@johnsmith1474 What he means by easy in this case is effortless
No this is absolute facts, he makes it look so casual and smooth, even passes he misses you think he's going to make because 99% of the time he does.
Perfect example is the lob to bridges, right on the money. Bridges didn't exert too much effort but to sight the rim and make the highlight
He has a great handle, elite left and right hand layup package, streaky scorer from deep. And he can destroy opposing defences with his length and his passing.
Fun kid to watch.
He’s already one of the most creative passers in the NBA.
I'd say based on passing alone, he is in the range of top 10 or top 15 current nba offensive engines. He really needs to up his scoring game if he wants to be among the top offensive players
And top 15 pg, easily 20
Hes not more creative than lebron james 🐐
@@leoo4354 🍆🚴♂️
@@leoo4354 Honestly, I think joker is the most dynamic and creative passer rn. Lebron is defintely a really great passer because he mastered the fundamentals of great passing but joker is just so much more creative
Literally the best basketball content on TH-cam, undoubtedly the best information you can get
Thats a fact
Coach Nick not too shabby either
Bballbreakdown aka coach nick is up there with him
By any means basketball is up there too for sure
nick is nowhere near
I gotta say I didn’t think he would be that great this year but he’s really surprised me, especially with his finishing and defense this year
people said he didnt defend but after this sampling I'd say his defense is actually really promising
I had never ever seen a Hornets game until this season... Lamelo power....
His defense is terrible
@@TheSands83 that’s not true, he’s decent on that end although a bit raw
@@TheSands83 i guess you just didnt see the video, even though it doesnt show his entire defensive runs
I think a lot of his current shortcomings will smooth out as time goes on. As of right now, all I can say is that his vision is insane.
Completely agree 💯💯 look at KD, Kyrie, Curry, etc.... they have unique play styles they had to grow into
Their treating Lonzo like John wall, Leonard, etc .. there making him change his game idk why tho , but if he can’t adapt he should go to Warriors
Ps I heard their setting Lamelo’s minute to where he can win 6th Man and ROTY
This is exactly what they said about Ricky Rubio. If you weren't tuning in at basketball around those times, you wouldn't know how much promise and hype Rubio had.
@@Imthemyn I didnt understand the lonzo wall leonard comparison
Surprise Cat I mean Rubio seems to be a lot more of a passive passer, Lamelo is crazy aggressive.
@@surprisecat7401 I never understood the hype for rubio at the time. He was never an aggresive enough passer in those high leverage situations to where it could make up for his seriously problematic scoring deficiencies from what i watched of him on DKV and obviously FC Barcelona. I loved his on ball defense in the day(and still do) but Lamelo is bringing a lot more to the table already in my opinion and he’s still a teenager(also to add, This is really Lamelos first taste of top tier competition[AU league is getting better but far from the EURO] while Rubio came in as a 4-5 year vet in the EURO). He’s got a few inches on him, helping him with his aggressive passing aswell as his finishing. Neither are consistent shooters but Lamelo has shown a lot more especially with live dribble up to this point.
I’ve been so impressed by his defensive effort and rebounding. Hopefully it gets highlighted in this video
Exactly like I watched melo for a long time I thought he was gonna be like luka or trae on the defensive side but no he actually wants to play defense
@@ImNapoleonLive yup. Plus he grabs offensive boards and defensive boards...Melo not soft despite his body type.
@@ImNapoleonLive yeah he ain’t a ball hog like trae, and he doesn’t piss himself when the other team gets the ball, he actually tries
@@2kmichaeljordan438 😐
@@eboy4216 😐
My point on LaMelo’s defensive potential has always been: how many players with his level of the court mapping ability and pattern recognition are bad defenders?
Very astute analysis.
thats a good point. But motor on defence is important to consider as well. Take Harden for example, when he's giving defence all his effort he's actually an above average defender - but takes a lot of possessions off.
@@roushikhamaunick5838 Well yeah, but as we just saw versus the sixers the dude doesn't have off possessions, he goes at it the whole game
Melo isnt really athletic or strong and that is always going to be an issue for him. Look at Steph, makes amazing reads and gives effort but is still seen as a bad defender or average because of his physical attributes. Melo got the size to help, but still, quick players might be able to blow by him and stronger players can bully him. I think he will, like Steph, be a really good off ball defender, making great switches and steals, but never will be a lockdown 1v1 defender or considered a 2way player.
@@futurehofer1564 I agree, but that’s more than fine considering what he can be on offense. I also wonder what his frame looks like in 5 yrs considering the amount of muscle Lonzo has put on in just 3/4 seasons.
Pretty recently he had a 10 fta game and if he can get to 6-8 fta per game he’s gonna be terrific
Last game he went 8-8 at the stripe
I remember him running with Spire in his hs senior year. Dude's passes were so infectious and made the team so fun to watch.
LaMelo is aggressive as hell. Plain and simple. He doesn’t hold back at all. Shoots when he’s open, pushes the pace, attacks the rim. Aggressive is the only way to describe it.
Lamelo is a basketball prodigy. Been saying this since his freshman year. He makes the game look so simple and easy which is hard to do. He makes a hard pass look like a simple play. He effortlessly gets by defenders. He's never spead up. You can't take him out of his rhythm. The ball is on string and his awareness is beyond his years. He's played like this since he was 14 he's just taller now. But everything he's showing in the NBA he showed from a very young age. He's the most natural basketball player i've seen to be honest. Not even trying to cap. He looks like he the moment he was given a basketball he knew how to play. Definitely all star/superstar potential.
Holy, I've been a fan since the pascal video and I re watched it today. Crazy how much you've grown not only number-wise, but also how much more comfortable you are speaking. Cheers to you m8
Thanks for the support.
I think the Pascal video was the only one that was noticeably weaker than all other videos in terms of presentation. After that he's been very consistently good (since his second video, the Lonzo one I believe)
all star guard is a really conservative prediction i feel
@@Jacob23615 Take a look at J Kidds rookie year vs what Lamelo is doing. And J Kidd played 3 years in college.
Was just watching your older videos of prospects! I love LaMelo, his shot and defence have come a long way in just a year, and he thrives in chaos as well as anyone.
can we talk about how he's allergic to looking at his target
gotta lie with the eyes.
Amazing content as always!! Lamelo has impressed me. That passing ability and the defense is surprisingly good with tons of room to improve. I'm surprised you didnt mention the fullcourt outlet passing. Which he already might be top 5 all time.
0:55 that court looks good damn.
hornets have the most fire jerseys/courts in the league. especially their white home jersey, the teal pinstripes and sneaky incorperation of hexigons everywhere (because, ya know, honeycombs, hornets, you get it) SO GOOD.
In five years this guy will be everyone’s favorite player in the league, whether you’re a casual who enjoys flashy passes and deep three pointers or you’re addicted to basketball and watch film and break it down 24/7 with his ability to read defenses, playing steal lanes, and causing pressure on defense and on offense able to read the court and set the tempo for the Hornets which his unpredictable passing and relentless drive to attack the rim and this video did a great job going over all the film that shows his strengths and weaknesses and this kid is gonna be something special
We’re back!!
Thanks for a video on my favourite player :D
Hope to see more videos soon I really enjoy them
Give him his credit, he's living up to the hype
Embiid hit with a stun gun
lmao! he just locked up and fell!
man, this was a pleasure to watch. this is the kind of content that is just such a high standard. so good. thanks!!
Man I was waiting for this channel to make an honest analysis of lamelo. This was spot on!
At the 6:15 mark I hit pause and let out an audible "Wowwwww"
I knew this kid was special but this really put it into perspective.
Great work, as always!
I've been hearing a lot about you and Reggie Miller, in the future, could you do a video on what makes him so special as a player and why you like him so much? Great vid btw.
Pretty sure bennys gonna do a whole series on him
he has talked about him on his podcasts already
I don't think you need to ask 😂😂
We have a new master chef in the league! Lamelo serves up the sweetest dishes I've seen from a kid his age. Ever. So fun to watch his incredible vision, quick recognition & accurate passing ability of all types of passing techniques.
Watching this as a Warriors fan makes me wonder how the Warriors passed on him when he is the type of multi-dimensional smart player that their dynasty was built on. I'm just imagining him on the floor with Steph, Klay and Draymond. Wiseman better turn out amazing or the Warriors will be kicking themselves for years
Warriors punching the air rn.
The one thing the warrior dynasty was always lacking was an offensively talented big. I completely understand how they jumped at the opportunity of getting Wiseman. So far he’s been pretty good too
Wiseman fits them so much better and he's shown a lot of improvement in only a few games
@@ashwinranade205 lamelos would’ve fit better this year but next year and after wiseman probably gonna be the better fit with klay back
Who’s here after him dropping 34 4 and 8
If he keeps playing like that, he's going to have to drop the Puma deal and switch to Jordan.
imagine once hes been in the weight room for 3 years. hes gonna be exceptional
I don't think I can underestimate how much I love your content. Please keep making this videos forever lol
Amazing video! Favorite channel on youtube
I’d love to see you do a video on the Nash MVPera Suns teams and why they worked in the regular season but always came up short
He’s already a star!
LOL no.
Not yet
@@joshbelz2951 how about now?
Why do i allways see you in the comments
He has high ceilings. But not yet a star
Great video. Great edits.
Great video!!!
Love to see the hornets getting some love since we're finally fun to watch again, great video man
Imagine if lavar taught his kids how to shoot proper 3's...
The only guy that already had the proper mechanics leaving highschool is the one without a team lmao
@@amplitudehertz17 exactly, anyone can shoot 3s says the NBA.
That boi needs to play somewhere.
I feel like because they've been trained since they were babies they still shoot like they are toddlers (from the chest) because that is what they are used to
Imagine if there were no Lavar!
@@shadow_realm47 eh...
Great video! Haven’t seen him play yet but looking forward to the Jazz matchup tomorrow! He looks like a handful for the defence for sure
Probably the best analysis vid of him I’ve seen so far. Just gotta get some of those fundamentals down he missed by not going to college. But he’s going to be amazing to watch in the years coming.
After this game against the Jazz, I'm seeing a future superstar
Yeah 19 yrs old. Hes fearless. In 10 years he could be a top 10 maybe top 5 in the league
Greatest part is he’s still holding back. We’re about to see him really unleash now that there are some injuries on the team
love your player profile videos
Great video. 💯
He is a star just imagine the hornets without him wouldn’t be in half of the games
Its not bcos of him but its bcos of T rozier n G Hayward that hornets r better this yr
@@pyntngenlangnongspung4300 its because of him look at the minutes helays in wins vs losses. The more minutes he plays the higher chances of them winning
Facts rozier & Hayward be comming in clutch the ball kid got a nice touch
but that defense needs a lot of work.
The pass at 1:14 is mesmerizing
His off ball movement and willingness to do so comes from his year over in Australia I'd almost guarantee it. Also that's the aspect of his game that excites me soooooo much, way too many young kids don't want to play off ball and he just looks happy to do whatever
You are the best at what you do . Thank you so much for all the enlightenment.
Saw the image of LaMelo and freaked out a little bit thinking this was for Greatest Peaks.
"Wouldn't it be nice if launching two feet into a defender were called a foul. Just me?"
You're not alone on that one coach.
Great vid, excellent analysis.
Amazing as always, always good to get the TB insight, but man, did you have to do this on the KG week? Do you hate me?
Who's here after LaMelo was just announced an all-star in 2022
Yyuuuhhh
Haliburton analysis when 😤
After he finishes "The Greatest Peaks"...it takes alot of time to make these videos...
Yes!!!! Been waiting for this one!
I think Melo had to have a funky shot growing up cuz he played varsity at such a young age, playing with older kids all the time. Now he’s so much bigger and stronger all of a sudden, he doesn’t need to use his whole body to create enough power on his shot.His crazy growth spurt makes it difficult to adjust, but I think he’ll eventually figure it out.
I love how you said, "He's defensive is amazing! But he's just a watered-down Jason Kidd."
Jason Kidd had stats but he was so boring to watch and kid would miss so much 🤦♂️ this kid is only 19 and he’s so much fun to watch. Rookie of the year 💯💯
@@DanielSanchez-sd1bs Yeah I never liked watching J.Kidd great player though
@@DanielSanchez-sd1bs You clearly didn't watch young J kidd in his first stint with the Mavs. Also his time with the Suns and Nets. He was pretty fun to watch back then. He basically became a role player in his second stint with the Mavs and on the Knicks before he retired.
Can we talk about how Malik Monk failed to find LaMelo wide open in the wing after that Spain PnR? Like damn lol
great vid. thank you
You are absolutely right at 6:56
I never even thought of that before, but it makes so much sense now that you said it.
He’s one of those guys that passes based on where defenders currently are/what they’re no longer covering, not just when he sees that a teammate is open, which makes a world of a difference for developing efficient shots for teammates
I got here in 7seconds love this channel
the 7 seconds or less offense but with youtube
@@randomcat5262 😤yktv
That White chocolate pass against the knicks almost made me throw my phone 😂😂😂😂😂😂
this was a great video
You got your wish😂 6:56
Lamelo’s passing is literally the best part about his game and who knew he would already be better than Lonzo so early also I make videos as well
One of my favorite and most creative basketball analyst in the game right now. Love the reference to Space Balls 👌🏼🙌🏼
He's more polished vs other rookies because he has already spent some time overseas playing pro ball. He already went through his big adjustment already as far as getting used to speed, athleticsm and length that is accompanied by pro athletes. His shot needs major work, really surprised his form wasn't fixed when he was a kid.
It's interesting that a whole family can have mangled shooting forms
And still 2/3rd of them make it to the NBA 😭
They are trying to hit threes when they are super young.
They never fixed it that's why. Lonzo shot too broke he fixed it now and it's better. Lamelo shot only need few adjustment
Super insightful! Would love to hear thoughts on other ROTY candidates like Tyrese Haliburton.
amazing video, glad I came across this. Earned yourself a new sub 👍🏾
Can we just give some appreciation for making the video in the middle of his Greatest Peak series. A lot of the clips are new and recent games. We appreciate the content and the hard work.
"Woah perfect timing" 😂
He’s what we thought Lonzo would be a couple years ago lol
Your editing is coming along nicely my G....
Always a good day when Thinking Basketball uploads.
He’s already a star
If he played starter minutes then he's already a star...
Dude is averaging 19, 8, 8 and 2 steals per 36 minutes
yeah he's definitely ROY
subscribed, good stuff
I had to sub this channel so underrated
6'8" is lamelos height some places, id say hes 6'7 though
"balls had really nice touch since high school"
Love this video! Would love to hear you talk about Zion next
Great video
wow he is still young still disappointed in lonzo
yes he is becoming what people wants lonzo to be
lamelo lives for the limelight lonzo doesnt know how to hnadle it
Underrated comment. Imagine Melo dropping dimes to LeBron and AD while developing
@@Mdautkreix why and how would be dropping dimes to LeBron and AD? Like what situation are you imagining here?
@@futurehofer1564 him having lonzos place and not getting traded to the pels to get AD is a really easy guess to make in regards to what he means by that..
@@victoooriaful nope, if he doesnt get traded he doesnt get to drop dimes to AD, cause AD wouldnt be in LA
@@futurehofer1564 you sound so dumb dude.. if lamelo is taking lonzos place in this hypothetical scenario. LA kept only 1 guy of their young core, it was Kuzma. If lamelo doesnt get traded he stays on the team while ad gets trade for kuz, ingram, hart etc... gotta flex your brain muscles more often its gonna help you. Good luck 👋
These videos are SOLID
0:12 The slow motion to enphasize the 2 on his jersey 😂... brilliant 👏.
"he can be an all star" is not much of a take, to be honest
Ben isn't a "hot take" guy
you came to the wrong place for hot takes my guy
@@elitheeconomist5674 they don't need to be hot
@@SoloPerICommenti Well then it totally is a take. He gave a detailed breakdown of his feelings on Lamelo and his future potential. If the only thing you took from this video is "he could be an allstar" then I don't really know what to tell you
@@inwhichidie7171 I would have expected more of range of possibilities explaining the conditions that should be met for each scenario
Hey thinkingbasketball, I hope you’re HAVING... agreatdaytoo
Good objective analysis 👍
I really enjoyed this video and breakdown of @Lamelo
Great job on the video! My hope is that he includes mamba type work ethic and veteran mentorship in his journey to become the best he can be.
I think playing a year in the NBL is the best possible thing that could have happened to him. It quickly matured aspects of his game to some extent.
Great as always ❤
Would you analyze Domantas Sabonis next?
He's really interesting this year
love the peak series but really enjoyed you touching on this season