Ben Mclemore

[colincb]

Players are coming in to the NBA so much younger these days it is really tough.  I always think of Chauncy Billups and to some degree Joe Johnson.  I felt with both of these players, you could see enough of the talent but the Celtics (and in Billups case some other teams) moved on.  Other players, like Fab Melo, you just know right away he was a bust.  He just didn't have the reactions to keep up with the game.  Then there is Avery Bradley.  I believe with him, it you tried, you could see the talent but you could also see with him that he was emotionally too young for the NBA that first year.

I did not see many (if any) Sac games last year so I won't even pretend to know anything about McLemore but a bad season on a bad team alone is not reason to give up on him.  If you have watched a bunch of the games and formed that opinion, that would be valid but it would be risky in my opinion to read some online print and then immediately write him off.  (You certainly couldn't come away negative after watching the video clips where he never missed a shot).

Didn't see much of him or SAC last season so I'm relying on the SAC blog writer quite a bit as well as looking at his stats, which I don't need any help to interpret.  Sometimes stats can be deceiving, but I don't recall many good players with bad stats other than defensive specialists like Rodman and Ben Wallace. In any case, McLemore as a rookie doesn't compare to Johnson and especially not Billups by the numbers. He struggled in summer league against borderline NBA talents and was named as one of the biggest disappointments by ESPN and Dime magazine. Has that in common with Melo.

McLemore ranked 326nd and 414th in offensive and defensive points per possession last season. That's brutal, end of the bench, territory. Not someone I want to try to fix, and he's needs fixing.  In most endeavors, you're better off putting your effort into what works and getting rid of what doesn't.


As for his highlight video? Here's a Fab Melo highlight video for your amusement. Why can't we get studs like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKyP3Por3xI&feature=kp

[LarBrd33]

He was 37 college games removed from being a high school senior... But in those 37 games he shot 50%/42%/87%.... That dropped to 38%/32%/80% his rookie season.

His shot is gorgeous. How confident are you that he will continue to be a "historically bad" offensive player?   He gained minutes as the season progressed ... They traded Thornton to make space for him as a starter. They fully expect him to be a cornerstone. It appears he has all the tools to be an elite offensive player in this league.

Someone already mentioned Avery Bradley and it's a fair example that I've actually brought up myself when discussing mclemore. Bradley shot 34%/0%/50% as a rookie.  Being an NBA rookie is tough. For 20 year old mclemore to earn a starting role is saying something. Mclemore had double digit points his last 5 games.  I'd bet on his shot coming along.  It's not a guarantee but fans writing him off now just seems short sighted and lacking in a proper understanding of NBA history. Even godly players struggle as rookies. Kobe averaged 7 points on 42% shooting as a rookie.   Durant shot 43% and a terrible 29% from three.  Not saying mclemore has that ceiling, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt way before I wrote him off.

[footey]

What source shows SAC still willing to trade 8 and McLemore for Rondo?  Isn't this from last trade deadline?  Are there any reports of them willing to offer us this package today?

[Sketch5]

He was 37 college games removed from being a high school senior... But in those 37 games he shot 50%/42%/87%.... That dropped to 38%/32%/80% his rookie season.

His shot is gorgeous. How confident are you that he will continue to be a "historically bad" offensive player?   He gained minutes as the season progressed ... They traded Thornton to make space for him as a starter. They fully expect him to be a cornerstone. It appears he has all the tools to be an elite offensive player in this league.

Someone already mentioned Avery Bradley and it's a fair example that I've actually brought up myself when discussing mclemore. Bradley shot 34%/0%/50% as a rookie.  Being an NBA rookie is tough. For 20 year old mclemore to earn a starting role is saying something. Mclemore had double digit points his last 5 games.  I'd bet on his shot coming along.  It's not a guarantee but fans writing him off now just seems short sighted and lacking in a proper understanding of NBA history. Even godly players struggle as rookies. Kobe averaged 7 points on 42% shooting as a rookie.   Durant shot 43% and a terrible 29% from three.  Not saying mclemore has that ceiling, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt way before I wrote him off.

Yeah, people should give the kid a couple seasons before calling him a bust. He got better as the season went along, so there is some promise there.

People also don't get, it's not like it was 20 - 30 years ago. A lot of teams had 10 year vets that would help these kids out, and most of these kids had 3 or 4 years of college behind them. So they would be a couple years older, which makes a world of difference. Now taking a kid at the age closer to 21 to 23 is considered too old.

He has the tools, he just needs to get his head squared up.

[Tr1boy]

Cant see sac giving up 8th and mclemore for a 1 yr rental. Prob 8th and they rather eat wallace contract instead

[LarBrd33]

He was 37 college games removed from being a high school senior... But in those 37 games he shot 50%/42%/87%.... That dropped to 38%/32%/80% his rookie season.

His shot is gorgeous. How confident are you that he will continue to be a "historically bad" offensive player?   He gained minutes as the season progressed ... They traded Thornton to make space for him as a starter. They fully expect him to be a cornerstone. It appears he has all the tools to be an elite offensive player in this league.

Someone already mentioned Avery Bradley and it's a fair example that I've actually brought up myself when discussing mclemore. Bradley shot 34%/0%/50% as a rookie.  Being an NBA rookie is tough. For 20 year old mclemore to earn a starting role is saying something. Mclemore had double digit points his last 5 games.  I'd bet on his shot coming along.  It's not a guarantee but fans writing him off now just seems short sighted and lacking in a proper understanding of NBA history. Even godly players struggle as rookies. Kobe averaged 7 points on 42% shooting as a rookie.   Durant shot 43% and a terrible 29% from three.  Not saying mclemore has that ceiling, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt way before I wrote him off.

Yeah, people should give the kid a couple seasons before calling him a bust. He got better as the season went along, so there is some promise there.

People also don't get, it's not like it was 20 - 30 years ago. A lot of teams had 10 year vets that would help these kids out, and most of these kids had 3 or 4 years of college behind them. So they would be a couple years older, which makes a world of difference. Now taking a kid at the age closer to 21 to 23 is considered too old.

He has the tools, he just needs to get his head squared up.

Fwiw, his last 5 games: 36.8 minutes  18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists,  on 45%/39%/79%

I'd gladly take a chance on him.

[LarBrd33]

What source shows SAC still willing to trade 8 and McLemore for Rondo?  Isn't this from last trade deadline?  Are there any reports of them willing to offer us this package today?

Nope.  None.  Extremely unlikely to happen. 

[BballTim]

He was 37 college games removed from being a high school senior... But in those 37 games he shot 50%/42%/87%.... That dropped to 38%/32%/80% his rookie season.

His shot is gorgeous. How confident are you that he will continue to be a "historically bad" offensive player?   He gained minutes as the season progressed ... They traded Thornton to make space for him as a starter. They fully expect him to be a cornerstone. It appears he has all the tools to be an elite offensive player in this league.

Someone already mentioned Avery Bradley and it's a fair example that I've actually brought up myself when discussing mclemore. Bradley shot 34%/0%/50% as a rookie.  Being an NBA rookie is tough. For 20 year old mclemore to earn a starting role is saying something. Mclemore had double digit points his last 5 games.  I'd bet on his shot coming along.  It's not a guarantee but fans writing him off now just seems short sighted and lacking in a proper understanding of NBA history. Even godly players struggle as rookies. Kobe averaged 7 points on 42% shooting as a rookie.   Durant shot 43% and a terrible 29% from three.  Not saying mclemore has that ceiling, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt way before I wrote him off.

Yeah, people should give the kid a couple seasons before calling him a bust. He got better as the season went along, so there is some promise there.

People also don't get, it's not like it was 20 - 30 years ago. A lot of teams had 10 year vets that would help these kids out, and most of these kids had 3 or 4 years of college behind them. So they would be a couple years older, which makes a world of difference. Now taking a kid at the age closer to 21 to 23 is considered too old.

He has the tools, he just needs to get his head squared up.

Fwiw, his last 5 games: 36.8 minutes  18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists,  on 45%/39%/79%

I'd gladly take a chance on him.

  I don't think you can draw any useful conclusions about games a team plays at the end of the season when the team's not in contention for the playoffs.

[BballTim]

What source shows SAC still willing to trade 8 and McLemore for Rondo?  Isn't this from last trade deadline?  Are there any reports of them willing to offer us this package today?

Nope.  None.  Extremely unlikely to happen.

  Rondo doesn't want to go there, and Danny probably wouldn't have liked the offer. So that's probably correct. If Rondo wanted to go there they'd probably do the deal in a heartbeat.

[celticsfan8591]

It's way too early to give up on McLemore.  He was bad overall, but he showed some flashes, which for a 20 year old rookie on an awful team is encouraging.  He was basically the same player as Wiggins in college, and I suspect a lot of the people saying they wouldn't touch McLemore would trade Rondo for Wiggins in a second (as would I).  Is McLemore on Wiggins' level as a prospect? No, but he isn't that far behind in terms of potential.  I'd gladly take a chance on him, especially if he comes with the 8th pick.

[LarBrd33]

It's way too early to give up on McLemore.  He was bad overall, but he showed some flashes, which for a 20 year old rookie on an awful team is encouraging.  He was basically the same player as Wiggins in college, and I suspect a lot of the people saying they wouldn't touch McLemore would trade Rondo for Wiggins in a second (as would I).  Is McLemore on Wiggins' level as a prospect? No, but he isn't that far behind in terms of potential.  I'd gladly take a chance on him, especially if he comes with the 8th pick.

I mean that's my pipe dream scenario that will never happen... we work out a deal where we trade #6 and #17 to trade up and get Embiid (super unlikely)

Trade Rondo for #8 and McLemore (super unlikely)

Trade Green to the Hornets for MKG (I've heard something like this is possible, but I don't believe it)

It would leave us with a heck of a young core.

[Jailan34]

He was 37 college games removed from being a high school senior... But in those 37 games he shot 50%/42%/87%.... That dropped to 38%/32%/80% his rookie season.

His shot is gorgeous. How confident are you that he will continue to be a "historically bad" offensive player?   He gained minutes as the season progressed ... They traded Thornton to make space for him as a starter. They fully expect him to be a cornerstone. It appears he has all the tools to be an elite offensive player in this league.

Someone already mentioned Avery Bradley and it's a fair example that I've actually brought up myself when discussing mclemore. Bradley shot 34%/0%/50% as a rookie.  Being an NBA rookie is tough. For 20 year old mclemore to earn a starting role is saying something. Mclemore had double digit points his last 5 games.  I'd bet on his shot coming along.  It's not a guarantee but fans writing him off now just seems short sighted and lacking in a proper understanding of NBA history. Even godly players struggle as rookies. Kobe averaged 7 points on 42% shooting as a rookie.   Durant shot 43% and a terrible 29% from three.  Not saying mclemore has that ceiling, but I'd give him the benefit of the doubt way before I wrote him off.

Yeah, people should give the kid a couple seasons before calling him a bust. He got better as the season went along, so there is some promise there.

People also don't get, it's not like it was 20 - 30 years ago. A lot of teams had 10 year vets that would help these kids out, and most of these kids had 3 or 4 years of college behind them. So they would be a couple years older, which makes a world of difference. Now taking a kid at the age closer to 21 to 23 is considered too old.

He has the tools, he just needs to get his head squared up.

Fwiw, his last 5 games: 36.8 minutes  18.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists,  on 45%/39%/79%

I'd gladly take a chance on him.

  I don't think you can draw any useful conclusions about games a team plays at the end of the season when the team's not in contention for the playoffs.

By that logic we shouldn't try to draw any conclusions from the entire second half of our season.

[colincb]

Certainly not the last 5 games.

[Vox_Populi]

It's way too early to give up on McLemore.  He was bad overall, but he showed some flashes, which for a 20 year old rookie on an awful team is encouraging.  He was basically the same player as Wiggins in college, and I suspect a lot of the people saying they wouldn't touch McLemore would trade Rondo for Wiggins in a second (as would I).  Is McLemore on Wiggins' level as a prospect? No, but he isn't that far behind in terms of potential.  I'd gladly take a chance on him, especially if he comes with the 8th pick.

I mean that's my pipe dream scenario that will never happen... we work out a deal where we trade #6 and #17 to trade up and get Embiid (super unlikely)

Trade Rondo for #8 and McLemore (super unlikely)

Trade Green to the Hornets for MKG (I've heard something like this is possible, but I don't believe it)

It would leave us with a heck of a young core.

Just say you want Okafor and whoever the top prospect in 2016 is, because that's what we'd be headed towards. Along with more unwatchable basketball.

[chambers]

Recent report said that there are offers out there for Rondo but the Celtics don't think they're good enough. I'm pretty sure that the report was based around the Sacramento idea and basically said that #8 + Mclemore wasn't enough in Danny's eyes.

Maybe #8, 2015 Sac first round pick unprotected+Mclemore, but Danny is too confident that he'll be able to re-sign Rondo.

Also, it fine if you're going to give Rondo a hard time about his stats this season, but it's probably best to give him a full offseason to work out and get back into shape. Same with Sullinger- he hasn't had an offseason to try and drop weight and lift hard in the gym.

It's fine to be the judge, jury and executioner, as long as you give the defendant a fair trial. half a season on a purpose built tank train with a rookie coach, whilst coming off major injury, is probably not a fair trial.