Ben McLemore
- Thread starter VF21
- Start date
Not as such. Let's pretend, for a moment, that I'm actually an optimistic person, and hope that McLemore's last fifteen games was less "passing tired horses," and more a sign of things to come.
TyFreak Evans
Bench
Yes. Just how good can the young kid be?Any questions?
King Baller
All-Star
Young Ben has begun to comfortably handle the ball and create his own shot. He also had 5 assists and a couple of hockey assists. If he works on his ball handling and shooting all off season he is going to look like a different player come next season!
Kingster
Hall of Famer
I'm extremely happy with his progress. I can't recall a young guy who I've seen improve so much in his ball handling over the course of a year. He's starting to do things I was expecting in Year 3. This is very promising for the team next year. I still expect DA to get a veteran 2-guard, but Ben should get plenty of playing time. Looking forward to seeing Ben, Ray and our #1 pick in the summer league. Should be fun.
Expecting in Year 3? You are a patient man.
Ben picked it up at the end of the year no doubt. He went from god awful to just a more normal kind of bad. I'm glad to see him end the year on a good note. However the fact remains that this was basically a high end summer league game with nothing to play for between the two teams.
The most encouraging part of this last week has been him getting to the line. I feel like he shot more FT's this last week than he had in the last couple months combined. He seems like a good guy who will work hard to better his game. I hope we see drastic improvements over the summer because this year he was basically Kevin Martin if Kevin Martin couldn't score.
Kingster
Hall of Famer
In Year 3 he would be a senior in college, so it's not all that patient. Three years is usually when you can make a determination on a draftee. I think McLemore has shown steady progress over the last month, and over the last three games he's looked very good.
John Galt
Starter
I am a fan of Ben - I like his hops and his work ethic and am rooting very very hard for him. I'm so pleased that he stopped going for the sports center dunk every time he gets near the rim - that alone catapulted his scoring lately... take the layup! And he made a couple very nice passes. Has looked like a vet the last few weeks.
But, even if he comes around with the handle, I don't think he has the "clutch gene". I remember very well the game early in the season where he was running pretty hot in the 4th, but passed up the game winner. Katie called it like it was after the game "the rookie froze up". And I'm afraid he still has the yips a little bit.
I want to be wrong and I want Ben to be a productive starter at the SG position for us. I want Pete and the gang to be proven right, and Ben has such a nice attitude. He can bring the crowd to its feet with a blocked shot or a dunk.
I just hope he gets a little ice injected into his veins during the off season. He is very very young so I'm still behind him. But I would be nervous with him holding the ball or at the line with the game in the balance, even though he shoots over 80%.
But, even if he comes around with the handle, I don't think he has the "clutch gene". I remember very well the game early in the season where he was running pretty hot in the 4th, but passed up the game winner. Katie called it like it was after the game "the rookie froze up". And I'm afraid he still has the yips a little bit.
I want to be wrong and I want Ben to be a productive starter at the SG position for us. I want Pete and the gang to be proven right, and Ben has such a nice attitude. He can bring the crowd to its feet with a blocked shot or a dunk.
I just hope he gets a little ice injected into his veins during the off season. He is very very young so I'm still behind him. But I would be nervous with him holding the ball or at the line with the game in the balance, even though he shoots over 80%.
HighFlyingMonkey
Starter
At the end of the season, here are Ben's season-long averages:
8.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.0 apg on 37.6% FG/32.0% 3P/80.4% FT (.485 TS%) at 20 years old.
Just for fun, here are Peja's averages for his rookie season:
8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg on 37.8% FG/32.0% 3P/85.1% FT (.496 TS%) at 21 years old.
Eerie similar. But the fun for Ben came at the end of the season.
Last 20 games: 12.3ppg/3.2rpg/1.2apg on 41.0% FG/33.0% 3P/76.8% FT (.524 TS%)
Last 10 games: 13.5ppg/3.4rpg/1.4apg on 40.0% FG/31.8% 3P/77.8% FT (.532 TS%)
Last 5 games: 18.2ppg/3.6rpg/1.8apg on 45.0% FG/38.5% 3P/79.4% FT (.607 TS%)
Great to see Ben really end the season strong. I'm curious to see if he plays in Summer League again, and if he does just how well he will play.
8.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 1.0 apg on 37.6% FG/32.0% 3P/80.4% FT (.485 TS%) at 20 years old.
Just for fun, here are Peja's averages for his rookie season:
8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.5 apg on 37.8% FG/32.0% 3P/85.1% FT (.496 TS%) at 21 years old.
Eerie similar. But the fun for Ben came at the end of the season.
Last 20 games: 12.3ppg/3.2rpg/1.2apg on 41.0% FG/33.0% 3P/76.8% FT (.524 TS%)
Last 10 games: 13.5ppg/3.4rpg/1.4apg on 40.0% FG/31.8% 3P/77.8% FT (.532 TS%)
Last 5 games: 18.2ppg/3.6rpg/1.8apg on 45.0% FG/38.5% 3P/79.4% FT (.607 TS%)
Great to see Ben really end the season strong. I'm curious to see if he plays in Summer League again, and if he does just how well he will play.
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
The tools are all there, just a matter of him putting it all together. I still have no idea if it can happen and he will turn into a legit starter in this league, but there is reason to have optimism. Let's all remember, this kid was born in 1993 
Kingster
Hall of Famer
I remember a game when IT passed to Ben with a few seconds left in the game and he drained it to win the game. I'm not too concerned with that issue.
randymoss1881
Starter
We really need to run Ben off screens in the half court offense at least 7-10 times a games. It promotes movement and plays to his strengths. Not only would he be able to get his shot off but comming off screens can open up the lane for straight line drives for him to use his athletisicm.
HereWeBoogie
Hall of Famer
i believe you are thinking of the game in Utah where he hit a 3 to send the game into Overtime?
It's actually crazy and really exciting watching this video. Shades of Ray Allen. Remember when he could barely dribble in a straight line at the beginning of the year?
Kingster
Hall of Famer
Maybe so. I thought it was a game winner, but with 82 games, I dunno...
Kingster
Hall of Famer
That's what gets me going. His ball handling is vastly improved.
Padrino
All-Star
indeed. ben looked like the 7th pick in the draft last night. hell, he looked like he could have gone 1st overall in a re-draft last night. i just hope it's a sign of what's to come, rather than an aberration in what was, for the most part, a very disappointing rookie season, even with expectations carefully calibrated.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
I totally agree on the durability. Just ask the Warriors. One of the reasons I liked JT. Very durable player. So is Cousins...
bajaden
Hall of Famer
Very nice game by McLemore. He's worked hard and its paying off. I know some had their doubts, but when you consider his athleticism along with text book form on his shot, its just a matter of time before everything starts to fall into place. Obviously he still needs to work on his handle. Its better, but he still dribbles too high which is why his dribble gets a little loosey goosey at times. So if he tightens up his dribble, and develops a few more offensive tricks, like a jab step followed by a step back, he should be able to get his shot anytime he wants it. I think he still needs to slow down a bit more, but I won't quibble now. Great way to end the season.
upinsmoke
All-Star
PDA said in a radio interview that he plans to use Ben at PG during summer league to help him become more comfortable with the ball in his hands. Aside from that he better work on that handle all summer long as well as hit those weights. Overall I still agree with the way he was advertised which is way raw but with the highest ceiling in his class.
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014...to-kings-croon-boyz-ii-men-in-pre-game-huddle MUST SEE
http://www.sbnation.com/lookit/2014...to-kings-croon-boyz-ii-men-in-pre-game-huddle MUST SEE
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KingMilz
Guest
It's all mental with Ben, the reason he shot so poorly and played so badly was he didn't have confidence in himself, he's a nice fit for us he's a monster athlete (insane motor) who is unselfish and can shoot it. Hoping he can maintain this confidence level and build on it and become a solid starter for us moving forward.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
Glenn
Hall of Famer
I agree. I made the easily forgettable comment that his main problem was that his shots weren't falling. "Duh" was undoubtedly the most common reaction I suppose but beyond gaining experience and slowing down a bit, he looks to me like a very good shooter. I think we can quit complaining about him at least temporarily.
I don't know if the FO has some special ability to predict the future but their two picks last year are doing well.
As a side note, there used to be an NCAA rule that freshmen could not play undoubtedly because they were thought to be too immature. Now we expect that a player a year older will do well in the pros. Let's see how Ben evolves before we dig a hole and bury him. Although throwing him to the wolves as a starter seemed stupid, perhaps it was not. In any case, every player is unique and needs a different approach by a coach. Malone and crew have done well with Boogie and the McRookies. Maybe it's luck and maybe it's skill. I hope for the latter.
