Ben McLemore progression

[Entity]

Other than the obvious turnover at the end of the game I see his handle as a bit better then it was during preseason. He also seems to be getting his confidence as a starter. Actually coming off pics and calling for the ball several times tonight.

I have long been impressed with his rebounding ability. With Ben, Dwill, and cuz our rebounding should not be an issue for us any more. I am anxious to continue to watch his growth and see how consistent he is by the end of the year.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

There's no reason at all that he can't be a good ball handler. However, if in his spare time, he works on contest dunks more than he does improving ball handling that he can transfer into a real game,..then it may not happen anytime soon

 

[dude12]

I thought he slowed down a bit last night on his shots.....especially the back to back 3s. Had his feet set on those and didn't rush. As we add talent I think he gets more open looks and will be more effective. His effort level is off the chart. If he improves his handles to a point where he can take guys off the dribble and get into the lane.....watch out.

 

[pshn80]

He is improving and he needs to continue slowing down his natural amazing speed in all aspects of the game. And that the important thing is the points and not how you make them. I thunk he's showing signs he will grow out of "Wahadism".

 

[Entity]

I'd like to see him put up another solid performance tonight on a back to back. I'd like to see more mid range shots also. Most of the time he is long range or dunking but took some mid range last night and connected

 

[Kingster]

He's definitely a talent. His ball handling has improved, though he probably was a little overconfident with it last night. To me, he can be a very fine 2-guard in a couple of years if he puts in the work, and from everything I've read he's a worker. You just want to put him in a time machine and have him mature in a couple of seconds instead of what will probably take a couple of years.

 

[Bricklayer]

There's no reason at all that he can't be a good ball handler. However, if in his spare time, he works on contest dunks more than he does improving ball handling that he can transfer into a real game,..then it may not happen anytime soon

Unfortunately the fact is that ballhandling rarely improves significantly this late in a player's basketball development. There are certain skills that you routinely see improved -- mostly of the shooting variety, but defensive effort sometimes etc.. But there are another set that are much closer to just set traits than skills, ballhandling is one of those. Because he's so egregiously bad right now I do think he should be able to become at least ok. But I can think of very few instances (which actually would be roughly translated to "none" except I don't want to sit back and review 30 years of NBA basketball), of a guy who came into the league with a bad handle, and actually got to the point he was beating people off the dribble. Far more likely for Ben to develop along a Peja/Reggie Miller path where other people have to create their shots for them. I just want him to get to the point where he's not dribbling it off his toes evrytime a defender gets within 3ft of him.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

Unfortunately the fact is that ballhandling rarely improves significantly this late in a player's basketball development. There are certain skills that you routinely see improved -- mostly of the shooting variety, but defensive effort sometimes etc.. But there are another set that are much closer to just set traits than skills, ballhandling is one of those. Because he's so egregiously bad right now I do think he should be able to become at least ok. But I can think of very few instances (which actually would be roughly translated to "none" except I don't want to sit back and review 30 years of NBA basketball), of a guy who came into the league with a bad handle, and actually got to the point he was beating people off the dribble. Far more likely for Ben to develop along a Peja/Reggie Miller path where other people have to create their shots for them. I just want him to get to the point where he's not dribbling it off his toes evrytime a defender gets within 3ft of him.

I agree in that I can't think of an example of a major improvement either. I don't think it's out of reach though, if a guy can get himself to actually practice dribbling skills all the time. It seems to be a tough thing to get someone to do though, especially when they're very good at other things like shooting and dunking. We seem to want to practice what we're already good at.

Odds are against, but I do believe it could be done

 

[Glenn]

I agree in that I can't think of an example of a major improvement either. I don't think it's out of reach though, if a guy can get himself to actually practice dribbling skills all the time. It seems to be a tough thing to get someone to do though, especially when they're very good at other things like shooting and dunking. We seem to want to practice what we're already good at.

Odds are against, but I do believe it could be done

MLM needs to practice dribbling in crowds and using his left hand. Seems like using the left hand over and over and over would help. Can't see why this wouldn't help him.

 

[ShastaKingsFan]

MLM needs to practice dribbling in crowds and using his left hand. Seems like using the left hand over and over and over would help. Can't see why this wouldn't help him.

Yeah. We need to get him in a summer training camp for guard skills. Something like big men going to work one on one with Olajuwon. Don't know who, but there's gotta be someone out there doing this...and Ben would be a great guy to work with

 

[The_Jamal]

Unfortunately the fact is that ballhandling rarely improves significantly this late in a player's basketball development. There are certain skills that you routinely see improved -- mostly of the shooting variety, but defensive effort sometimes etc.. But there are another set that are much closer to just set traits than skills, ballhandling is one of those. Because he's so egregiously bad right now I do think he should be able to become at least ok. But I can think of very few instances (which actually would be roughly translated to "none" except I don't want to sit back and review 30 years of NBA basketball), of a guy who came into the league with a bad handle, and actually got to the point he was beating people off the dribble. Far more likely for Ben to develop along a Peja/Reggie Miller path where other people have to create their shots for them. I just want him to get to the point where he's not dribbling it off his toes evrytime a defender gets within 3ft of him.

We don't need him to have Reke type handles. In fact, what's appealing about Ben is his kind of game in theory should be extraordinary off a dominant big. Could you imagine the damage Reggie or Ray Allen could have done playing off someone like Shaq or Duncan? Just look at what it did for Peja. He was good, but never near the same level he was when playing with C-Webb

The goal would be to get him to a Kevin Martin/Klay Thompson type level comfort with the ball. Enough where he can deal with some pressure.

 

[Entity]

MLM needs to practice dribbling in crowds and using his left hand. Seems like using the left hand over and over and over would help. Can't see why this wouldn't help him.

I agree his left hand seems to be the biggest issue.

 

[Swaze]

Mostly agree with Bricklayer in that ball handling ability is something you have or you don't and that you can only improve it to a minimal or moderate extent. A guy like Jason Richardson comes to mind with a similar skill set to Ben McLemore (explosive athlete and good shooter with poor handle). Richardson never really did become a better ball-handler and it prevented him from becoming an elite player.

I can think of a couple players that improved their handle quite a bit though.

1.) Steph Curry - Steph came into the league fairly average as a ballhandler and with average speed. You think about the first two or three years that Steph was in the league and you very rarely saw him beat anybody off the dribble. What he did do was make a lot of 3's and long 2's either off his own dribble or as a spotup shooter. Then last year Steph really worked on his handle and he went from being an average ball handler (for a PG) to a good ballhandler. Curry routinely schools defenders off the dribble now and breaks down the defense. If you watched the playoffs last year it was really noticeable how much better of a penetrator and playmaker he has become. He's still not quite as good as Chris Paul off the dribble but he has become pretty close and considering where he started as a ballhandler it's pretty remarkable.

2.) Joe Johnson - Joe came into the league as a spot shooter/finisher that very rarely took anybody off the dribble. Once he left Phoenix and went to Atlanta where he was forced to become 'the man' and the primary ballhandler his ball handling skills really improved from average to good for his position. He seems to have regressed a little again with Brooklyn but in his prime with Atlanta, Johnson was very good off the dribble and dramatically better than his first couple of seasons.

With all that said it's still pretty rare the player who improves as much as those two guys above. Ball handling ability much like "court vision" seems to be something innate that you either have or you don't. The best ball handlers in the world move with the ball effortlessly and don't even have to think about it. If you want to improve in that area you have to work extremely hard it's not nearly as easy as fixing a jumper or adding another post move.

 

[KingMilz]

He's looked good when paired with Derrick Williams and looked average to below average paired with LRMAM and Salmons, his effort is never in question which is a wonderful thing and over the past 4-5 he's really began to progress but he's still super raw with the ball handling and will probs always be for the most part.

 

[LPKingsFan]

Not sure why people think he's working on dunks at the expense of ball handing? Is it because of the tweets and videos posted online? I'm sure that's a very representative sample of his workout regime, posted without any input or design from the Kings marketing department whatsoever

Even if his ceiling is only a SG-sized Peja that relies on others to create for him, that can still be a valuable player, even if not a 1st or 2nd option. And still good value with the 7th pick in what was dubbed a very weak draft.

 

[Chubbs]

He is improving and he needs to continue slowing down his natural amazing speed in all aspects of the game. And that the important thing is the points and not how you make them. I thunk he's showing signs he will grow out of "Wahadism".

I think I said it last night, and if I didn't say it, I thought it, the kid might be TOO fast. Seems impossible, but my god he's fast. He has to slow down and try not quite so hard. That's not something said about kings players often. If he can bring the effort level down to a 9, from 11, and get his nerves under control, watch out.

 

[rainmaker]

You can't improve your handle all that much in your 20's as it's a skill acquired at a young age. Most guards with a great handle largely had a great handle by the time they were 17/18, they just fine tune it.

I regularly make this comparison but it's very similar to touch in soccer. It's developed at a young age. Just as with basketball you develop your touch and handle during hours of practice alone in your backyard, the gym, the hoop around the corner, wherever.

I think the hope with MLM is he develops it enough that he's comparable to a younger Ray Allen rather than Reggie Miller. Ray was able get to the rim off 3-4 dribbles, pump, take 2-3 dribbles and rise for a jumper or a runner, could get out and run in the open court, even post up at times, but that's different than developing your handle to the point you can become a 1v1, iso player.

 

[King Baller]

I enjoy watching McLemore play. He is fast! I think a player can improve ball handling if he decides to do it. The ability to run fast is an example of a trait you either have or don't have.

Go Kings!

 

[rainmaker]

The boy is learning.

Adjusting to the speed of the NBA game and is doing a better job understanding where his windows will be. His all around game is slowly improving as well.

 

[km23]

If he continues to work on it likes he's hopefully been, It will get better he will just never feel naturally comfortable with it like someone who's always had a high level of handles

 

[jcwkings]

Ball handling can be worked on, it is not some god given ability. The best ball handlers are great because they have been doing it their whole lives, they were PG's as kids all the way through high school and college. Look at Klay Thompson, he came into the league just like McLemore ball handling wise, this season he is making plays off the dribble and is driving to the basket more. The same thing will happen with McLemore, once the game really slows down for him and he can read his options, right now it seems the majority of the time his mind is set on doing one thing, but when the game slows down for him he will have the composure to catch the ball off a screen, either take the shot, pump fake the chasing defender to draw the foul or take the shot, take the 2 dribble pull up, or drive to the rim and finish or dish off. We are seeing flashes of that now, but as he gets more comfortable it will be second nature. I think we really have a difference maker here once our coaching staff is able to polish him up, i can see him at 20 ppg a couple of years from now, if not sooner.

Now we just need to get lucky and get Jabari Parker, I would take Marcus Smart as our PG though as a second option. Wiggins scares me, he will be good, but from the games I have seen, he looks like a rich mans Wesley Johnson with worse shooting, need to see more though. I rate Parker higher, he is a true talent with the full package offensively, reminds me of Paul Pierce with a better handle and court vision.

 

[dude12]

Ben just needs to be able to get into the lane when the opening is there.....not necessarily developing take you off the dribble handles although that would be great but at least be able to dribble when the opening is there or on FBs

 

[Livinthedream]

Ball handling is a skill that can be worked on. Court vision and creativity are talents. Let's not confuse the two. Ben needs to have better control of the ball, which comes with practice and confidence. Just as one would practice free throws.

If you've noticed whn Ben first played he wouldn't take a dribble at all during the game. Coaches recently told him to bring the ball up or drive to the hoop. While not pretty, you can see improvement in just a few games. Give him time before we say he can't. The kid is coachable. He's even taken over the role of guarding the opposing pg. Might become that coveted two way player. The sky is the limit.

 

[Chubbs]

Ball handling is a skill that can be worked on. Court vision and creativity are talents. Let's not confuse the two. Ben needs to have better control of the ball, which comes with practice and confidence. Just as one would practice free throws.

If you've noticed whn Ben first played he wouldn't take a dribble at all during the game. Coaches recently told him to bring the ball up or drive to the hoop. While not pretty, you can see improvement in just a few games. Give him time before we say he can't. The kid is coachable. He's even taken over the role of guarding the opposing pg. Might become that coveted two way player. The sky is the limit.

He's already making significant progress. And very quickly. He's a relentless worker on the court, and with his talent, and hopefully a good coaching staff, he could really turn into a star. The god given ability is there.

 

[Chubbs]

On a side note every time I see "Ben McLemore Progression" it sounds more and more like the name of some jazz combo.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, taking the stage at Bella Bru tonight, The Ben McLemore Progression!" 3 people clap politely.

 

[Kingster]

He looked like a star last night. That running one hander on the baseline was unbelievable. Every now and again he does a shot that just wows you.

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

Ben's confidence is impenetrable. Missed all 5 shots in the fourth quarter as we unraveled, yet still launched the 3 at the end of OT with zero conscience.

He may well be too young and dumb to fully appreciate the situation, but thats exactly the attitude he needs to have. Be fearless.

 

[Bricklayer]

Here is the interesting thing about Ben. Up to this point in the season, Ben basically can't shoot.

this is his current shotchart:

he's got one sweetspot on the right angle, the same spot he hit the game tieing shot from last night btw. And then its just all been athletic plays at the rim. Jumpers from everywhere have clanked and clanked.

People mention Klay Thompson as a comparison, although sometimes comically punching up Klay's own abilities in the process. But this is Klay's chart:

That's a shootist chart. He's good from almost all the points on the floor you shoot from. Right corner, left corner, right wing, left wing...doesn't matter because he is a shootist. The most question mark raising thing about Ben right now, aside from just looking like he's never played defense before, is the shooting. Everything looks great right up until he releases the ball. Then he's John Salmons.

On the positive side I am reminded of another scrawny ballhandling challenged shooting guard who struggled to actually shoot as a rookie who we had once. After his rookie season, you just didn't know. It wasn't translating. 8 years later Kevin Martin's hit a lot of shots.

 

[Kingsguy881]

You do realize you are comparing a 3rd year player to a rookie? Not to mention Klay played 3 years in college and is 23 where Ben is 20?

 

[Widowmaker2k]

I think his shot will come around eventually. That release of his is just dirty. He's a rookie and he plays like it. By that I mean he's playing like he's nervous out there. I actually thought last night was encouraging because, despite the fact his shot had not been falling all night, he stepped up and hit the big one to send it to OT and one more tough shot in OT to help us seal it.