Author Topic: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012  (Read 5637 times)

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Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« on: July 02, 2012, 02:12:03 AM »

Offline Tr1boy

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Just as i stated on the Sullinger analysis thread, i got to watch Melo in depth when his team faced Uconn this past winter/spring. Notes

1. Melo's jumper is better than we all think. He didn't just connect on one early in the game. But it was like 3 straight all over the court. One was from way deep near the three point line. Another from the elbow and another during a fast break. The fast break one especially proved that his jumpers were no fluke. After uconn missed, he was one the first to sprint to uconns end, then stopped , received a long pass and without hesitation shot a jumper in. Very impressive.

2. Outside of his jump shots, when he got the ball thrown at him at the post (which was not frequent), he made some nice spin moves to get bank shots in and also made decent outlet passes for easy jump shot looks.

3. He was very active on both ends of the court and never seemed out of breath. He def was intimidating as a shot blocker and had a few nice ones. Especially when he rushed a guy near the corner three and blocked his jumped shot. That was very nice.

4. He had some good rebounding moments on both ends. And can sky like an eagle to snatch it. But it would of been impressive if he could of snatched the difficult ones, the good rebounders are able to harness. Once he improves his positioning on the court and strength, it should def help him out get these ones. Other weaknesses were , being late on a few rotations, and not identifying guys like lamb cutting to the basket. Good at taking charges but can't be doing it too frequently, or else good penetrators will pass easy ones to Melo's man underneath the basket.

Overall, there is alot of promise. He really didn't get the ball much down low, which was a shame, since when he did, he was converting at like 70 percent of his shots. He has a great centre body with more than enough athleticism + quickness to be able to play in the NBA now. But needs to add more muscles (10-15 pounds) to be highly effective. I really liked his competitive spirit and ongoing motor. He really tries hard running from one end to the other

Other player notes if you wanted to know

Andre Drummond: You really couldn't tell if he was 12 spots higher pick worthy than Melo. His fundamental basketball skills are still very raw. Good athleticism and quickness, but he didn't know what to do really when he got the ball down low. Also on a few occasions forgot to box out his man on the defensive end.

Jeremy Lamb: The kid was a ghost on the court. He was playing hot potato with the ball most of the night. Got passes on top of the key, then passed it back right away to the same guy who passed it to him etc. He has a good looking shot, but overall was too passive for a guy with his talent.

Dion Waiters: Picked 4th now understood. The guy was relentless. He was the anti lamb. He made things happen on the court and penetrated at will , getting in shots or making some sweet easy passes for his teammates to score. Jump shot looked ok also, though i don't think he shot even one 3 pt shot. Very tough on both ends and has a never stopping motor.

Kris Joseph: Our own 2nd round pick was good. He was on and off at times on the court. Passive like Lamb in the first half though more aggressive in the 2nd. And when he had his chances, he shot the ball without hesitation or penetrated in for some nice baskets. Nice length and build for SF, and got to the FT line quite a bit. He has some PP in his game. Honestly better than I expected.


Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #1 on: July 02, 2012, 02:23:50 AM »

Offline JHTruth

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Good analysis. I think Melo just needs more strength and knowledge on positioning and he will be an effective NBA rebounder. He has an NBA body for sure and looks like he could definitely add strength.

Drummond just does not look like an NBA player to me. He runs weird, seems lost most of the time, has a weird looking shot from his chest.

Hard to say who is the better prospect at this point I guess Drummond because of his physical tools but guy just doesnt know anything about basketball..

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #2 on: July 02, 2012, 04:34:17 AM »

Offline Yoki_IsTheName

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The good thing about it is Melo has only been playing high competitive basketball for 6 years. He's basically playing with nothing but fundamentals, the basics and his instincts to grab the ball, block it, and shoot it when open, and is working pretty well.

It all a matter of his learning, and how he learns. If he learns more about the game, the little things like footwork or better body control and stuff like that he'll be better. I don't see him as a superstar or a star for that matter, but the way he improves and depending on his work he could be a good backup or a stater playing quality 20-25 minutes for this team.
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Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #3 on: July 02, 2012, 04:43:28 AM »

Offline bfrombleacher

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TPs for both the analyses.

I've been under the impression that his rawness has been overstated. And, again, I've heard from a fellow poster here that Kris Johnson would have been taken in the 20's in other drafts.

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #4 on: July 02, 2012, 06:30:34 AM »

Offline clover

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I think on Drummond you've got to remember that he was playing as as a 7' 18yo, at a time when most kids his size are still adjusting to their growth off in a high school gym somewhere.

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #5 on: July 02, 2012, 06:34:26 AM »

Offline LarBrd33

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kid sounds like a project.  Maybe a couple years in the dleague will do him good.

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #6 on: July 02, 2012, 07:16:36 AM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2012/02/25/75754_boxscore.html

Not near as rosy as you paint it.   Drummond outscored him and outrebounded him.  17 to 14 rebounds vs. 11 and 9 that ought to explain the draft slots right there.

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #7 on: July 02, 2012, 08:20:43 AM »

Offline jambr380

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I always find it fascinating that one game can make or break a draft (See Oakland Raiders drafting of JaMarcus Russell). I get that it's the tournament, but there are a lot of games in a basketball season. I guess it will always be Robinson vs. Sullinger and Drummond vs. Melo. I don't follow college basketball as closely as others, but is it possible that draft positions could have been reversed for those mentioned if the games had gone OSU's and Syracuse's (with Melo) way?

Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #8 on: July 02, 2012, 09:26:59 AM »

Offline Snakehead

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2012/02/25/75754_boxscore.html

Not near as rosy as you paint it.   Drummond outscored him and outrebounded him.  17 to 14 rebounds vs. 11 and 9 that ought to explain the draft slots right there.

Those aren't much better numbers for a guy that went more than 10 spots ahead.
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Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #9 on: July 02, 2012, 09:29:17 AM »

Online Roy H.

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2012/02/25/75754_boxscore.html

Not near as rosy as you paint it.   Drummond outscored him and outrebounded him.  17 to 14 rebounds vs. 11 and 9 that ought to explain the draft slots right there.

Those aren't much better numbers for a guy that went more than 10 spots ahead.

I don't know.  If they each did that on a nightly basis, I'd say that 6 points and 5 rebounds is worth at least 10 draft slots.


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Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #10 on: July 02, 2012, 09:51:51 AM »

Offline Snakehead

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2012/02/25/75754_boxscore.html

Not near as rosy as you paint it.   Drummond outscored him and outrebounded him.  17 to 14 rebounds vs. 11 and 9 that ought to explain the draft slots right there.

Those aren't much better numbers for a guy that went more than 10 spots ahead.

I don't know.  If they each did that on a nightly basis, I'd say that 6 points and 5 rebounds is worth at least 10 draft slots.

Fair enough on the rebounds but not on the points, Drummond took more than twice as many shots in the game.

(This also wasn't indicative of either guys whole season.  Melo usually played like 25 mins a game vs the 30 he did in this game and Drummond played better here than he did usually)
« Last Edit: July 02, 2012, 10:20:19 AM by Snakehead »
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Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #11 on: July 02, 2012, 10:11:42 AM »

Offline bballdog384

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http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/ncaa/men/gameflash/2012/02/25/75754_boxscore.html

Not near as rosy as you paint it.   Drummond outscored him and outrebounded him.  17 to 14 rebounds vs. 11 and 9 that ought to explain the draft slots right there.

Those aren't much better numbers for a guy that went more than 10 spots ahead.

I don't know.  If they each did that on a nightly basis, I'd say that 6 points and 5 rebounds is worth at least 10 draft slots.

But Melo got the win. That has to matter somewhere, right?
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Re: Melo analysis: Uconn vs Syracuse 2012
« Reply #12 on: July 02, 2012, 12:26:07 PM »

Offline Celtics4ever

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Drummond is a much better athlete than Melo.   Zones can make a player better or a player worse it depends.   I think it would make him a worse rebounder and a better defender given from what I seen of the Syracuse zone.   Blocking shots pulls you out of rebound position and the forwards have an edge especially on the weakside.

I really want him to pan out.   I think he has as much if not more upside than Perk but it may take a few years to pan out.   I do think he runs the floor better than him now and he is taller.   Perk had an edge on strength.  But I hope Melo is solid for us and want him to succeed as he is a Celtic now!