Ben

[The_Jamal]

I think this is absolutely correct. Ben, as he is, is a role player and his role is to score tons of points which I think he will. His defense takes him out of the role player category a bit but I am concentrating on his offense here. There is nothing wrong with being a shooter only as (minor hyperbole warning) but he could lead the league in scoring and never be mentioned in the same breathe as Kobe, etc. as he can't create his own shot. Let us just hope his handles improve. Handles may be that one skill that is the most difficult to develop but I get the impression that if this kid puts his mind to it, he'll improve substantially.

Admittedly I am in my honeymoon/swoon phase with Ben but I don't think I am wrong.

Just take a peek at the development of Klay Thompson. The big "knock" on him was he didn't have the handles or the ability to create his shot coming out of college, nor was he a good defender. He's soon changed all those notions about him and has become in my mind one of the best scorers in the game and one of the more complete 2-way players in the game.

Ben can follow that same career path, except with having the advantage of much more athleticism than Klay.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Just take a peek at the development of Klay Thompson. The big "knock" on him was he didn't have the handles or the ability to create his shot coming out of college, nor was he a good defender. He's soon changed all those notions about him and has become in my mind one of the best scorers in the game and one of the more complete 2-way players in the game.

Ben can follow that same career path, except with having the advantage of much more athleticism than Klay.

I agree generally speaking, but Klays handles weren't quite as poor as Bens coming out of college. And Klay is hardly a great creator off the dribble now, but he doesn't need to be. I just think Ben has more work to do on his handles to get where Klay is now than Klay himself did. That said, Bens athleticism is actually a problem for him handling the ball, because he's so fast that he actually leaves the ball behind him sometimes. That should get better as he gets used to the speed of the game, but he needs to relax when he's putting the ball on the floor and not get ahead of himself.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

That said, Bens athleticism is actually a problem for him handling the ball, because he's so fast that he actually leaves the ball behind him sometimes.

Oh, I'm totally using that one on the pickup court from here on out. "No, no, guys, it's just that I'm so fast that I leave the ball behind me sometimes!"

 

[Glenn]

Oh, I'm totally using that one on the pickup court from here on out. "No, no, guys, it's just that I'm so fast that I leave the ball behind me sometimes!"

One look at me and that line would make me a laughing stock.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Oh, I'm totally using that one on the pickup court from here on out. "No, no, guys, it's just that I'm so fast that I leave the ball behind me sometimes!"

Obviously it's his ball-handling that's the problem, I just meant that it wouldn't be so pronounced if he just slowed down with the ball in his hands. Smarty-pants!

 

[Capt. Factorial]

Obviously it's his ball-handling that's the problem, I just meant that it wouldn't be so pronounced if he just slowed down with the ball in his hands. Smarty-pants!

Oh, it's my ball-handling that's the problem too! But anything for an excuse that makes you look better, right?

 

[Bricklayer]

Oh, it's my ball-handling that's the problem too! But anything for an excuse that makes you look better, right?

Look at the positive side -- the ball recedes in your rear view mirror rather slower than it does in Ben's, hence you arguably have a better handle than an NBAer.

 

[Cold]

Has the tools to be one of the elite SGs in the league.

Expectations: improved defense within 1 year (not that it's bad currently), improved ball handling within 2 years.

 

[Glenn]

I don't start many threads so won't let this die.

Here's an article in the Bee today http://www.sacbee.com/2013/11/12/5906611/ben-mclemore-continues-to-impress.html

I don't think it says anything I didn't know but it sounds more official when it comes out of Malone's mouth. The part I liked seeing confirmed is that MLM doesn't rattle. He can be thrown off the deep end and learn. There is also that quote that could sound like bragging from others that is just a statement of fact when Ben says he is very coachable.