Some fans need to stop reaching. Ben McLemore is not the primary reason the Kings lost tonight or have been losing. One player is never the problem. Unfortunately, some fans simply have an agenda against the players they don't like and a pro-agenda towards the ones they do.
Is McLemore ready for the minutes he's getting? No. Like most rookies, his defense isn't up to par and he's struggling with his shot. Does anybody remember what Gerald Wallace (he only played 1 college season too) was like his first couple seasons? How about Peja Stojakovic, who played a couple pro seasons in Europe before coming over? As great a shooter as Peja was, he was a sub 40% shooter his rookie year. These fans bashing McClemore are expecting far too much. Like Wallace and Stojakovic, McClemore will end up being a solid player.
Let's not forget that the only reason Ben is starting and playing so much is because a certain #23 has been equally as dreadful. Like Peja and Wallace, McLemore should have been able to learn in a reserve role. But since this team is so short on talent and because the projected starter at the SG position has been so bad, Ben's been exposed for what he is ... A clueless rookie.
For fans that were around when Peja struggled so mightily his rookie season, were you wanting to give up on him then too? I hate to break this to the naysayers, but most rookies struggle on defense and many of them, even the good shooters, struggle with their shots. The one thing McLemore does really well right now, move without the ball, is negated by the fact that his teammates don't look to pass the ball all that much.
In short, I agree that McLemore shouldn't be starting. However, those writing him off as a wasted draft pick are far too shortsighted and suffer from instant gratification syndrome. As already stated, look toward Gerald Wallace and Peja Stojakovic as examples of former Kings wing players, who were of similar age when they came into the league, that struggled mightily their first few seasons. Give the kid some time.
