Can Fab Melo be a Deandre Jordan, Hibbert, Perk etc?

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

nbadraft.net gives his comparison as Dan Gadzuric/Brendan Heywood

Draft Express gives his best case comp as Heywood and worst case as Desagana Diop.

I could certain live with the pick if he spent a couple of years learning before giving six or so seasons of Heywood-level production, then declining with age.

If you played basketball for ONLY 6 years total and made it your priority for 3-4 of those (few) years (he was a soccer player)... could you make it to the NBA? The guy works his butt off! I mean, if he continues to make the leap he has from 1 yr to the next like in college... WOW!! People were saying "please Danny, take PJ3!!" I was silently hoping for Fab Melo! I didn't follow him closely but I saw a few games, I mean, you can't miss teams that are good... you can't help but see them if they are continuously on t.v. How can you not root for a guy who picks up a game and improves at it so quickly and ends up being picked first round because of his work ethic and potential? At least we didn't get one dude (can't remember who) who said something along the lines of 'maybe it did, maybe it didn't' when asked if the time in school and the coaching made you mature (after being characterized as childish and immature which made him drop lower than projected).

[billysan]

IMO this guy has all the physical tools to be an NBA starting center.

His biggest question is going to be mental and (attitude) approach to the game. If he has to be prodded or baby sat by veterans then it will be a problem. These attributes (if positive) lead to work ethic and that is essential for his continued development.

[cltc5]

In his interview it looks like he's a determined kid who wants to get better. Got to understand he just learning the game and the language so it'll take some time. 

[Evantime34]

He's not as athletic as DeAndre Jordan, but he already looks like he already is a better shooter with a nicer stroke.

He's not as skilled as Hibbert, but he's certainly more athletic, can jump higher and probably run the floor better.

He's more athletic than Perk, probably can't guard the elite centers like Dwight like Perkins, but has a higher upside than Perk.

[GreenFaith1819]

I just can't wait to see Rondo work with him.

The looks Fabulous Melo will get from him will make him even better.

And KG will sharpen him up, too.

[Sketch5]

I like his attitude. He seems to want to get better, and has a confidence that he can help any team. But he also doesn't come of thinking hes the man, so he should play with in himself.

I think if he's going to be good or not is going to depend on what Kg does. He's the perfect mentor for this guy. I think reason why guys like this bust is because they go to a young team with no real vets and they just digress with out the proper big brother to help them threw the first year or two. McGee might be better if he wasn't in DC. Think about when you see a bunch of highchool guys hanging out and how they come off. Now most guys are only a couple years removed from that. With out Vets to crack whips, they continue to act the same way.

I also like that he said he bases his game off of Tim Duncan. Now will he be as good? Probably not, but I like how smart he is to realize how good Timmy D is and not base his game off of Howards. Also playing soccer for years will help alot once he learns how to take the foot work of soccer and trans late it to basketball. Think Hakeem Olajuwon or Dirk Nowitzki and how well they move for big men.

So this guy could have a chance to be a solid NBA center. Not great, but solid, and in this day and age, thats all you really need is that defensive anchor.

[SHAQATTACK]

I just can't wait to see Rondo work with him.

The looks Fabulous Melo will get from him will make him even better.

And KG will sharpen him up, too.

Agree.   I wanted Drummond , but we didn't have that luxury to get him... I think Melo has it ALL OVER Perk.  Perk is mainly upper body strenght and width and a good attitude to be an inside enforcer and was schooled by KG.

Melo has a far better atheltic skills. Can you see Perk playing soccer ?    hee hee hee...

Melo is build simular to Dave Robinson in body shape just younger and still growing , David had the Military build up his body and mature him . Melo is Very Smooth, he is still a kid.  Tell you this , Pop would have loved to school Fab with Duncan .

  ATTENTION DANNY !!! how about buying a little personal ONE on ONE training from DAVID ROBINSON for Melo this summer . He just needs tons of defensive practice and schooling .  I think he'll have a nice little offensive game in a few years. He seems to have good hands and sure touch and passing skills. SOmething Perk and Hollins plain just don't have.

KG, PP and even Steamer should really accelerate the deveoplement of Fab Melo on a daily basis. He'll get a full dose of KG NBA attitude and defensive instruction.  He is gonna be groomed to be special player ...Doc and DA will throw the works  to develope Fab.  

Melo is a diamond in the ruff. Like AB, he may take couple years to appreciate and pan out ...but I see him being in the NBA a long, long time..

I would like to see Danny find a way to now get Marus Camby ,he would be a good person for Fab to workoutr with ..as well as help  us right now.!!

[lon3lytoaster]

I think Fab Melo is going to Michael Stewart someone a couple years down the line.

[Cman]

I said last week that Melo is better than Perk now.

I still believe that Melo will have a better season than Perk next year, at a fraction of the cost, if Rivers lets him play through his mistakes.

I think you are setting expectations too high.  It will take him time to adjust to the NBA game, and learn about the Cs defense.

If he contributes 10 mins a game in his first season, I'd be happy.

[StartOrien]

If he can combine Hollins' adequate ability to defend the pick and roll, with Stiemsma's average rebounding, I'll be quite happy.

[CoachBo]

Given his work ethic issues and deficiencies, it'll be a huge shock - and potentially a trouble sign - if Melo even plays 10 minutes a game.

Basically absolutely nothing I like about this pick. If you're going to take a character chance, draft Perry Jones III. MUCH bigger upside.

[mqtcelticsfan]

Given his work ethic issues and deficiencies, it'll be a huge shock - and potentially a trouble sign - if Melo even plays 10 minutes a game.

Basically absolutely nothing I like about this pick. If you're going to take a character chance, draft Perry Jones III. MUCH bigger upside.

I like the Melo pick more than the Sullinger pick. If you're going to take PJ over anyone, I'd say it should be Sullinger. At least then we'd still only have one huge injury risk.

[Django]

This is why the draft is such a crapshoot.

We could look like geniuses..or we could look like fools for passing on PJ3 and Tony Wroten.

[SHAQATTACK]

Melos rookie season , he'll ride the bench, thats the way Doc is. One year of KG maybe enought to jump -start him .  , or send him packing.  It will be like being in the Marines , he'll make it or he won't.  

Melo probally should have stayed in college another year and let Boheim polish him up a bit more.

But, then too...he probally would be taken alot higher up in the draft next year had he stayed in school. Doubt we would have another 1-20 pick to get him.

I think it worked out for us to get him and make a nice project.

We need a young , quality anchor true center , and I think he'll be a nice asset in two years.  

I really don't see alot of gamble in taking Fab Melo where we did, he'll be an NBA center no doubt , just how good ...is up to him.. Everybody wants instant Durrant /LBJ production and players... franchise players are rare.

  

[celtsfan84]

nbadraft.net gives his comparison as Dan Gadzuric/Brendan Heywood

Draft Express gives his best case comp as Heywood and worst case as Desagana Diop.

I could certain live with the pick if he spent a couple of years learning before giving six or so seasons of Heywood-level production, then declining with age.

If you played basketball for ONLY 6 years total and made it your priority for 3-4 of those (few) years (he was a soccer player)... could you make it to the NBA? The guy works his butt off! I mean, if he continues to make the leap he has from 1 yr to the next like in college... WOW!! People were saying "please Danny, take PJ3!!" I was silently hoping for Fab Melo! I didn't follow him closely but I saw a few games, I mean, you can't miss teams that are good... you can't help but see them if they are continuously on t.v. How can you not root for a guy who picks up a game and improves at it so quickly and ends up being picked first round because of his work ethic and potential? At least we didn't get one dude (can't remember who) who said something along the lines of 'maybe it did, maybe it didn't' when asked if the time in school and the coaching made you mature (after being characterized as childish and immature which made him drop lower than projected).

Sounds like Mohammed Sene. Or DeSagna Diop.  Has any one of these types of players ever been successful? Ever?

If I were 7 feet tall and could chew bubble gum, I'd be in the NBA.  Ask Patrick O'Bryant, Olowakandi, Thabeet, and plenty of other guys who can't play basketball but happen to be tall.  The margin of error increases considerably when you are 7 feet tall.

So maybe he is a complete bust or maybe by the time he develops his game he is a free agent and we just developed a player for another team.