Fab Melo can really run...

[the_Bird]

Bass works so hard, it's difficult to believe that he's not going to be better in the help D system this year.

I have no doubt that he WANTS to be a good defender, I just don't think he's got the quickness to be an elite defender (not every player can be KG, no matter how much they may want it).  That's why I'm cautiously optimistic about JJJ, because he does have the length and athleticism where he potentially could be a superior defensive PF. 

[Celtics4ever]

I think he shows some decent instincts. Granted he is still raw and a project.   But he sits low into his stance and tries to stay in front of his man.   He doesn't look as lost as JJJ does on D.   

I was expecting him to be a total dud.  I don't think he is that.   I didn't want us to draft him.  I think he needs a ton of work on his hands to improve his rebounding.

[Interceptor]

I have no doubt that he WANTS to be a good defender, I just don't think he's got the quickness to be an elite defender (not every player can be KG, no matter how much they may want it).  That's why I'm cautiously optimistic about JJJ, because he does have the length and athleticism where he potentially could be a superior defensive PF. 

Yeah, Bass is not going to grow wings in the offseason and start moving more quickly, it's true. It seemed to me though that he missed a lot of defensive rotations (especially early on), and if Bass can minimize those mental lapses, I think that'll be a significant improvement.

[fandrew]

I thought he was just like Thabeet, who relies on his size and has no mobility.

Jesus...he proved me wrong yesternight (I've mentioned this twice, would have been a highlight. He ran the floor on a delayed break and almost connected on an alley like that) and proved me wrong today with that sick chase down block!

I can't believe nobody's really talking about this.


Edit: Let me elaborate:

I knew he was nimble from highlights and scouting reports...but quickness...wow. I did not expect it. Quick is not agile. He's quick and agile.

Sure, he's not Javale quick but I suspect Dwight quick with less bounce (before you nail me for that, I'm not comparing him to Dwight).

He could run the break with Rondo...it's scary that that much size has that much mobility.

Maybe someone said this, but he was a soccer player originally. So the guy has decent mobility and speed just from growing up with that sport. The issue is that he is such an unknown in potential because he really has not been around the game very long and lacks a lot of fundamentals. But from what I have seen he has great instincts. So I guess we'll see if he improves enough to play this year, or if he needs to go to the D-league to get some quality minutes and experience playing the pro game.

[blink]

And exactly where did you receive your premonition oh-wise-one?

C'mon.  Give the guy a chance.  No one expected him to be dwight howard.  I saw a lot of positive things out of him in the 1st two summer league games.  

1) very nimble / quick as the OP stated (on one possession the only C to get back to try to stop a fast break)
2) can block shots
3) pretty nice hands, doesn't hold onto the ball too long
4) has a decent stroke on his jump shot
5) doesn't seem lazy at all on the court, good hustle
5) he is 7'0" and 270ish and only 22

I think right now he is better overall than Williams, Hollins.  I hope he sees real playing time this year.  Not huge minutes, but hopefully more consistent minutes than JJJ and Moore got last year for sure.

 

journeyman center at best.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

Fabulous Fab Melo. Dude can block shots, can run and dribble..... from a 7 footer? are you kidding me??? This kid will run the floor with rondo and have a chance at finishing at the other end. Him green, bradley and the maestro running the court. Niiiiiiiiice. 

[Professor of Rondology]

Yeah, Bass is not going to grow wings in the offseason and start moving more quickly, it's true. It seemed to me though that he missed a lot of defensive rotations (especially early on), and if Bass can minimize those mental lapses, I think that'll be a significant improvement.

I saw a very significant improvement from him over the course of last year.  In the beginning of the year he was ALWAYS a half-step slow in rotations.  This was as much a result of the complexity of our defensive system as much as it was Bass being slow.  A player who relies on strength rather than quickness/speed is  just going to take a little longer to adjust to a defense that's built around lightning-fast rotations.  Give Bass credit, because by the end of the year he was looking very solid.  I think that his improvements on D were a large part of why we brought him back.

Now, on to Melo...

With Fab Melo's quickness and energy I expect him to quickly develop into a powerful defensive force under KG's guidance.  His offense is a long ways away from being NBA-ready but I think his D could be an asset for the Celtics as early as this coming season.  If Ryan Hollins saw meaningful minutes for a team that nearly won the ECF than I think we ought to give Melo a chance to fill that same role.  What Hollins provided- energy, effort, rebounding, defense- is exactly what Melo can provide [and Hollins was very mediocre as a rebounder and defender- Melo might already be better].

Some might think that a comparison to Ryan Hollins is an insult, but it is absolutely not.  I would be very happy if Melo gives us that type of play this year.  The kid has been playing ball for all of 6 years now- if he is already as good as Hollins imagine how good he'll be after 3 years with KG as a  mentor.

[Celtics4ever]

pretty nice hands, doesn't hold onto the ball too long

Wrong his hands are the problem on the boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBk-t40Db6Y

Dude can only catch the ones that are right too him.

[Celtics4ever]

pretty nice hands, doesn't hold onto the ball too long

Wrong his hands are the problem on the boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBk-t40Db6Y

Dude can only catch the ones that are right too him.

[bbd24]

Biggest attribute he has is his desire to get better.  Although he's not 18, he's like a 18yr old project coming out of high school.  The physical tools are there, now he needs to put in the work & get coached.  According to most reports, he's the kind that's willing to put in the work and get better.

It's extremely similiar to the Perkins/Jefferson situation when they came on board.

[nickagneta]

...and he's tall.


Now let's hope he can actually learn how to play NBA basketball. 

[nickagneta]

pretty nice hands, doesn't hold onto the ball too long

Wrong his hands are the problem on the boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBk-t40Db6Y

Dude can only catch the ones that are right too him.

He has terrible hands.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Fab Melo's hands are interesting. I actually think he has good hands, but just not for rebounding, he seems to use the incorrectly. But what I've seen from him, you give him a pass, he'll catch it. He doesn't have butter hands, unless my impressions are wrong.

Seems like he needs better discipline rebounding, but when he goes up with both hands, he seems to grab the rebound well.

I don't think it's much of an issue with his hands in particular is all I'm saying.

[st.jimmy222]

Bass works so hard, it's difficult to believe that he's not going to be better in the help D system this year.

tp 4 your pic

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

Fab Melo's hands are interesting. I actually think he has good hands, but just not for rebounding, he seems to use the incorrectly. But what I've seen from him, you give him a pass, he'll catch it. He doesn't have butter hands, unless my impressions are wrong.

Seems like he needs better discipline rebounding, but when he goes up with both hands, he seems to grab the rebound well.

I don't think it's much of an issue with his hands in particular is all I'm saying.

You are right, it isn't... in that video, when he actually tries to catch the ball he does! When is trying to get the ball he misses it(bad technique). Those times he misses the ball, he isn't in the correct position, he is behind someone, and times his jumps wrong/too soon... he just goes up with one hand to get the ball. He looks like he hasn't mastered positioning. He has a nose for the ball but not the skill (yet) required to get it! Not one of those times he missed the ball was from fumbling it (that's what bad hands are). When he fully learns how to rebound (with other people around him) then he will be fine. One handed sure won't cut it!