Why is everyone so down on Fab Melo?

[vjcsmoke]

Melo can block a lot of shots but that's about it.  Needs to learn a lot more about the game before you'd even consider giving him anything other than garbage time minutes.  BBIQ appears very low, almost borderline-retarded.

However Fab has height and athleticism that you can't teach.  Honestly I'm more optimistic about Vitor Favarani, the other Brazilian C we recently signed.  At least it sounds like he brings some toughness with his game along with size and some experience from playing in a professional league.

[ScoobyDoo]

If Fab eventually turned into a 2nd or even 3rd string defensive back up player I'd be happy with the pick.

I know I keep going back to this and people are probably sick of hearing it, but, a seven footer with very good lateral quickness in a pick and roll dominant league is very valuable to me.

He has a "long" way to go and he may turn out to be the complete bust some are already labeling him - I think that's a fair position - this year will go a long way towards supporting or debunking that claim.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Mazingerz:

Interesting question on why Fab's reasonably solid performances in the D-league didn't translate as well to the big league. I think it's a number of factors for him, here's my two cents:

1. He's just a rookie - unless they're someone like Sully who is just kind of "ready" they always struggle, period. And even Sully struggled a bit...

2. D-league is good, NBA is that other level as you mention. This is a factor that requires adjustment as well.

3. Vets always say the young guys need to "slow" the game down and that takes time. Then you hear young guys say "I was able to finally slow the game down and just play". I think the speed of the NBA game just makes it tough for the young guys to understand the pace and get comfortable. Time helps with this.

4. If everything feels like it';s coming at you so fast that you're just spinning and reacting you won't get good results. After you have experience via playing time you are able to understand the pace and start seeing things before they come a little bit. It's like playing a great player the first time -the second and 3rd times you are much better prepared - you have an idea of what's in front of you and how to react ahead of time.

5. Then probably just nerves - coming into a team with KG and Pierce on it and trying to fit in or keep pace with guys that have 15 years of experience - just tough.

Fab is really raw, but if he gets comfortable with the speed and pace of the NBA, his athleticism, size and length will allow him to be effective defensively. I don't think he'll ever put up a 14 block game, but I could see him getting 3-4 blocks every now and then and generally getting 1-2 a night while playing solid lane D and protecting the rim in general.

Again, if toughness is his issue, I'd put the kid in a popcorn machine with Sully, Bass, Humphries and Faverani - let him learn how to bang at the NBA level.

Remember, he played far more zone in college which generally has much less man to man push and shove to it. You have to get used to that constant banging and get a feel for leverage with hips, feet, forearms, elbows, etc.

     

Time