Ben McLemore

[ParniValjak]

Its good to see Ben getting more and more comfortable but I have to wonder if the large part of that is Ben getting more looks (getting more featured) with both Rudy and IT missing a chunk of games with injuries.

 

[KingsFanSince85]

Way to go, Ben! Unlike many of the impatient fans that are quick to label players "busts" when they don't hit the ground running, some of us still believe you'll develop into a pretty good player. Last night was just a sign of things to come.

 

[Tetsujin]

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.

I have to believe that a lot of that was just MT being gawdawful for most of the season (The man's done fairly well for the Nets since we traded him though). At the start of the season, when MT was still at least fairly productive and the rook was getting well choreographed stints off the bench, he actually looked alright.