[HobbyOGParticipant]

 Looks like ESPN is back on the Ball Family Balls…DraftExpress has Melo going top 3 in the draft..

Any Aussies on here that’s going to see him play in the NBL this year?

And do you guys think he’s good or overhyped? I like his game. He reminds me of Shaun Livingston before the knee injury with a better jumper..

who do you compare him too?

[thetruth87Participant]

A scout in the ESPN article compared him to Luka Doncic. I can’t really speak to this myself because I’ve never seen him play in a competitive game yet, but it said, ‘his size, feel, and creativity remind him of Luka.’

I’m kinda bummed his loser dad steered him away from playing in college because I would have loved to see him play this year.  Now I’ll probably only get to see him in highlight reels. Not sure the hype is warranted yet, but he’s an interesting prospect for sure. 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 ESPN is planning to air some of his games this season..

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

I saw that facebook have deals to stream some games, which presumably would be global, and that ESPN Australia picked up games. I don’t know about US rights with ESPN, though given a feature piece talking up a guy whose regular season hasn’t started makes me think that might be the case. Theo Maledon had a nice impressive opener in France (6 pts, 8 assists, hint hint he is #6 in white and big #12 in green Atoumane Diagne had 18 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks is draft eligible as well in what looks like will be his first major minute season), but I don’t think anyone would make marked changes in perception off it. 

[RUDEBOY-Participant]

 it amazes me how much his game and body has grown and blossed since he left high school…a few years ago i felt he would never play a game in the nba..but now he’s a serious candidate to go top 3…..people have thrown out the steph curry comparisions when speaking about him..he doesnt have curry’s form..his shot is kinda like lonzo or shawn marion…he reminds me of penny hardway, becuz of his size,passing ability, iq and creativity…..

there will those that questions the level of competition he faces….getting away from his dad might’ve helped him…

[BallerScriptParticipant]

I’ve got tickets to the RJ v Melo head-to-head in a couple months. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 How much were those?

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 My business is a corporate sponsor of the hawks so will see him plenty this year. I like the livingston comparison a lot, he is obviously still growing but there is no way he is currently 6’7 as advertised. I will say though he has been super for our local community, definitely bought into the team and seems to be a great team mate. Even Lavar seems to like the place, regularly seen at the local club at the meat raffles ????

 

[jjj10manParticipant]

Have him up with Deni and Anthony Edwards for the top prospect. Where did this passing ability he has come from? he use to just be a chucker but now is one of the best passing PGs to come out since his brother. 

The fact that he’s 6 7 is a game changer, and if he can prove he’s a consistent shooter he’s could go number 1 (assuming the Lavar Hate doesn’t hold him back). 
I’d compare him to Livingston or a taller D Lo

[jjj10manParticipant]

 Also does anyone know which NBL games will broadcast on ESPN? I’m assuming RJ vs Lamelo but I heard a few more.

[kobyzParticipant]

 I see some young Brent Barry in him…

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Lamelo has become a very good playmaker which defenitely makes him a top 3 prospect in this draft. It should be interesting to see how good he really is. He’s like a more fluid version of his brother, doesnt have the odd mechanics.

[r377Participant]

 I am sure there are a few of us that can keep an eye on the two HS americans.

I still remember copping negs when i said terence ferguson was overhyped and not that special when he played in the nbl

SBS has the tv rights on free to air

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-31/nbl-reaches-new-free-to-air-deal-with-sbs-after-nine-drops-out/11369256

[r377Participant]

 he scored 21 in a pre-season game which is almost as much as Ferguson scored all season !

His dad has alot to answer for – another bad form on jump shot.  He shoots like an 8yo girl.

If he canot get a reliable outside jump shot, he may end up a bench warmer like his brother. He does look to finish at the rim more than his brother

here ae clips  

https://nbl.com.au/news/lamelo-ball-leads-hawks-taipans-beat-bullets-again

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

People can have differing opinions on guys a year out, especially first year eligible players given how little high level, well-coaches games they have played. Preseason assessments of players are really only important in that it shows the preconceived bias for and against a player’s performance. For example, Cam Reddish was widely viewed as a top 5 pick. It played a role in how his largely bad play was perceived thoughout the year, and undoubtedly the reason he stayed in the lottery. LaMelo Ball was had a scattershot assessment beyond this site was not viewed as top 5. It seems beyond the realm on possibilities that any person (amateur, media, scout, whoever) would do something close to a 180 on a guy based off a preseason game. I didn’t watch these games, but the assembled highlights show that these weren’t really especially intense games. A guy can make you want to check back in, keep an eye on, off one game, but nothing drastic. Maybe LaMelo Ball has a good season, and maybe he goes in the lottery. Given the sideshow with his father, and how that impacted Lonzo in LA where the team had to answer questions about a player’s father, I don’t think any team will be in a rush to annoint Ball as a prospect. It is why this story seems very odd.

[220Participant]

 Lamelo must be looking extremely impressive for him to be considered going so high. The potential for drama is massive and only outstanding talent would make it worth the risk.

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Family has such locked in name recognition nationally – for example, if you luv the Balls you’ll favor Lamelo & if you don’t like them you’ll trend negative

And when I say the Ball fam – it’s really the Ball dad who is the driving force – personally as a mixed race person who grew up w/ no father in extreme poverty there is a lot about Ball as a father I luv & I also like that he at least tried to do his own thing w/ the family brand – but I understand the criticisms as well & some are well founded 

As far as Melo – the word is he has really matured physically & emotionally, according to the Aussie coach, Lavar has stayed out of the way. Melo is playing w/ grown men & by all accounts they luv him, he’s a humble kid who can really play

Melo has reportedly grown to a legit 6’7” & scouts believe he could be 6’9” when he fully develops & he has expanded his game to add passing & he’s already a natural scorer who could always shoot – especially from legit NBA 3pt range

So – if we were to change Melo’s last name to Smith & we’re talking about a 6’8”ish 3 level scorer who can pass & when u think about it has been exposed to fame for years now & is quite mature so his transition to NBA life should be seemless we’d be no doubt it top 5 Lottery pick 

Nevertheless, until we see some live games & can assess the level of competition we’ll have to rerserve judgement 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Family has such locked in name recognition nationally – for example, if you luv the Balls you’ll favor Lamelo & if you don’t like them you’ll trend negative

And when I say the Ball fam – it’s really the Ball dad who is the driving force – personally as a mixed race person who grew up w/ no father in extreme poverty there is a lot about Ball as a father I luv & I also like that he at least tried to do his own thing w/ the family brand – but I understand the criticisms as well & some are well founded 

As far as Melo – the word is he has really matured physically & emotionally, according to the Aussie coach, Lavar has stayed out of the way. Melo is playing w/ grown men & by all accounts they luv him, he’s a humble kid who can really play

Melo has reportedly grown to a legit 6’7” & scouts believe he could be 6’9” when he fully develops & he has expanded his game to add passing & he’s already a natural scorer who could always shoot – especially from legit NBA 3pt range

So – if we were to change Melo’s last name to Smith & we’re talking about a 6’8”ish 3 level scorer who can pass & when u think about it has been exposed to fame for years now & is quite mature so his transition to NBA life should be seemless we’d be no doubt it top 5 Lottery pick 

Nevertheless, until we see some live games & can assess the level of competition we’ll have to rerserve judgement 

[BeastMode716Participant]

 Family has such locked in name recognition nationally – for example, if you luv the Balls you’ll favor Lamelo & if you don’t like them you’ll trend negative

And when I say the Ball fam – it’s really the Ball dad who is the driving force – personally as a mixed race person who grew up w/ no father in extreme poverty there is a lot about Ball as a father I luv & I also like that he at least tried to do his own thing w/ the family brand – but I understand the criticisms as well & some are well founded 

As far as Melo – the word is he has really matured physically & emotionally, according to the Aussie coach, Lavar has stayed out of the way. Melo is playing w/ grown men & by all accounts they luv him, he’s a humble kid who can really play

Melo has reportedly grown to a legit 6’7” & scouts believe he could be 6’9” when he fully develops & he has expanded his game to add passing & he’s already a natural scorer who could always shoot – especially from legit NBA 3pt range

So – if we were to change Melo’s last name to Smith & we’re talking about a 6’8”ish 3 level scorer who can pass & when u think about it has been exposed to fame for years now & is quite mature so his transition to NBA life should be seemless we’d be no doubt it top 5 Lottery pick 

Nevertheless, until we see some live games & can assess the level of competition we’ll have to rerserve judgement 

[ThenilonatorParticipant]

 He may get to 6’7 but I can confirm he ain’t nowhere near 6’7 yet

[r377Participant]

 24th October Ball will play against RJ Hampton in the NBL

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 Its a hard pick to fully call who is game is like,

I kind of see two players:

I see  a taller C.J mcollum-Both can light you up but also aren’t the fastest players and both are kind of streaky shooters

and

Zach lavine-Minus the bounce…By this I mean both can contort their bodies midair,Take questionable shots yet they go in and play gambling defense at best…

I see Mello going anywhere from 3-15 depending on injuries(dude seems to have average back and has issues with it). But number 1 not likely unless this is like 2016 draft all over again…

I kind of hope he ends up on a team with low pressure, a solid coach and plenty of patience..Maybe somewhere like Memphis or Washington if they move on from Beal and Wall.

[Insane13Participant]

 Some of these comments show me a few of you are on the lavar will be a problem or cause drama when that’s not the truth and regardless when the last time lavar got playing time ? If you’ve been watching lamelo which it seems like some of you haven’t until now , you would know he’s been a top prospect for years now. Only reason he got a bad rap is his dad and brother which has nothing to do with how he plays or how good he’s been. Someone said the potential for drama is massive well how much drama has he caused ? It’s his DAD not lamelo. He hasn’t been in trouble or anything , said anything out of line. Nothing so that’s bs that people use to try and find negatives when they see he’s finally getting recognition

[Insane13Participant]

 Also , someone said his stock rose from one preseason game but this site has him top five since July so that’s not even true. Just because ESPN and draftexpress moved him up doesn’t mean he hasn’t been good this whole time. Hes been one of the top 2-3 pgs in his class for years but because of lavar , people seem to ignore how good he’s been and is. If you just watch him and not just highlights or word of mouth , you can see the natural talent comes effortlessly. How many 18 years old can do what he does ? Give me a list lmao 

[r377Participant]

Top draft prospect LaMelo Ball has returned stateside after an abridged season with the Illawarra Hawks in Australia,

Ball’s season came to an early end when he suffered a foot injury in December and was subsequently shut down in January. Although he wasn’t going to suit up again for the team, it sounds like the Hawks were caught off guard by the timing of Ball’s departure. According to Fernandez, captain Todd Blanchfield didn’t know about it until he was asked for comment by ABC Illawarra.

“It’s news to me, but [Ball’s camp has] got an agenda they have to take care of,” Blanchfield said. “At the end of the day he’s thinking of the bigger picture and has bigger things in mind. … We were teammates for half the season while he was playing, and we had our ups and downs, but it would have been good to say goodbye.”

Team owner Simon Stratford said he was “really disappointed” that Ball didn’t say goodbye to his teammates or coach, per Fernandez. Still, when the Hawks officially announced Ball’s departure, they wished him the best in his preparations for the draft.

“LaMelo has had a big impact on our club and the league and we thank him for everything he has done for the Hawks and the Illawarra community,” Hawks general manager Mat Campbell said in a statement. “He has a very bright future ahead of him and the Hawks are proud to have played a part in that journey. LaMelo and his team will always be a part of the Hawks family and we wish him the very best ahead of the NBA Draft.”

Ball averaged 17.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, and 6.8 APG in the 12 games he played prior to his injury, making himself a contender for the No. 1 overall pick in 2020. ESPN’s Jonathan Givony currently has Ball ranked atop his big board, though he notes that the guard’s work ethic and level of focus have been called into question. Ball’s abrupt departure from the Hawks could be another factor for NBA teams to consider as they evaluate his draft stock this spring.

[Author]

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