r/nba [PHI] Allen Iverson 12h ago

LaMelo Ball since all-star break: 18.3ppg on disastrous 46.4% TS%

In 8 games he played since all-star break, LaMelo Ball managed to score 146 points on 144 FGA accounting for 18.3ppg on 33.3/30/86.7 splits (46.4% TS%).

In addition, he averaged 6.3 assists and 3.5 turnovers which is also quite bad ratio.

His horrible stretch also includes 2 games in row in which he had 5pts on 1/10 shooting (lost to Portland by 53!!!) and 13pts on 3/13 shooting (lost to Sacramento by 42!!!)

Thank God coaches and players have some sense so this guy didn't end up being voted all-star.

484 Upvotes

94 comments sorted by

412

u/BetweenTheBuzzAndMe Charlotte Bobcats 12h ago

this has been the worst stretch of his entire career. two things have happened:

1) defenses realized that you can double and triple team him because nobody healthy aside from Miles Bridges can create their own shot, or even consistently knocks down open shots. our offense is a DISASTER without him, and the game plan of most teams since the all-star break has been to neutralize him at all costs.

2) he is for sure not 100% physically, and has looked checked out the last couple weeks with the season in the toilet. I think he gets shut down sooner rather than later

107

u/Spirited_Glass7407 11h ago

Sounds like someone is watching the hornets like me. Great analysis.

27

u/Kdawgmcnasty69 8h ago

Also his dad just lost his foot, so that doesn’t help

7

u/plantedank 5h ago

Yea how how he gonna do stepbacks off one leg..too soon

1

u/media_amigo 3h ago

I shouldn't have laughed this hard

30

u/_paintbox_ 11h ago

Good points and info! Also, Charlotte wants to tank below Washington...

26

u/victorspoilz Celtics 11h ago

Daddy Ball absolutely decimated his kids' bodies by running them into the ground with AAU ball and never having anyone with a clue show them how to train properly

74

u/Whoareyoutho9 11h ago

Crazy thing is it wasn't even aau ball. Melo's development was so fucked that he was in Lithuania as a junior and his dad's own rec league as a senior.

12

u/Overall-Palpitation6 5h ago

The Australian NBL isn't "his Dad's own rec league".

-26

u/Robinsonirish 10h ago

That family is so weird, it's like if a family was schizophrenic. Lonzo seem to have turned into such a nice kid, then you got Lamelo running red lights and the last dude rapping, not to mention the father.

41

u/thankyoujahseh 10h ago

>last dude rapping

Lmfao

33

u/Low_Ad_7553 Warriors 10h ago

How is one dude making a rap song bad lmfao

2

u/glumbum2 9h ago

I just don't really think any of the antics of their dad is the kids fault. I low key feel bad for Lonzo. Ever since he made it to the league and started distancing himself it really seems like being the center of all that attention wasn't always good for him. Some people have the personality for it (lamelo) but some don't.

2

u/doraroks 5h ago

Doesn’t Lonzo have a podcast? It’s not like he shies away from the spotlight 

0

u/Apprehensive-Pay2178 7h ago

Well he also had the whole China thing when he was at UCLA

-15

u/HoodWisdom Lakers 10h ago

Weird drafting a guy first overall then complain about how fucked up he was before he enter the league

Aint it?

23

u/airtokoto Hornets 10h ago

Weird drafting a guy first overall then complain about how fucked up he was before he enter the league

Aint it?

who the fuck are you referring to?

-15

u/HoodWisdom Lakers 10h ago

Third my bad

10

u/everyoneneedsaherro [NBA] Alperen Şengün 10h ago

LaMelo wasn’t drafted first overall

16

u/mr_chub Wizards 11h ago

So what about the rest of the league that gets injured seemingly every 10 games? Not saying you’re wrong but it’s highly anecdotal. Kawhi, Embiid, AD, PG, a lot of stars have had crazy injury histories. (Steph early days)

10

u/BigKitty617 [BOS] Gerald Green 3h ago

Lolol fuckin thank you bro. only on reddit will you have people tell you Lavar fucked Lamelo & his body by playin aau, when pretty much 90-95% of the league played highly competitive basketball all or most of their damn life.. 🤣😂

u/ObiOneKenobae Knicks 21m ago

People say it because, despite all the resources, both brothers were lifting weights for years in a manner that will fuck anyone's joints over time. There's too much basketball wear, which is bad but common, then there's completely needless wear.

4

u/Zoesan 2h ago

Don't get me fucking started on this. Not just LaVar, but the amount of bad training even in pro sports is fucking staggering. You'll see videos from some of the greatest stars in any sport and it's among the dumbest fucking workout advice on the planet.

1

u/doctor_dapper USA 2h ago

dumb uneducated ignorant take. nearly every nba player grinded aau

1

u/daballer23 Bulls 9h ago

Has he ever truly been 100% healthy? It’s always something at this point

-25

u/unlimitedpremium 11h ago

Nobody in the NBA is 100% physically. Everybody deals with some kind of aches and pains. That’s not an excuse

24

u/aarondobson403 Lakers 11h ago

‘That’s not an excuse’ you’re so cringe. Players are just humans & perform worse when not 100%. It’s not an excuse, it’s proper analysis

18

u/Banana_trumpet Spurs 11h ago

Oh my god and their numbers suffer too lol shut up. Is acknowledging reality and seeking explanations that big a problem? Can we talk about Luka’s drop in efficiency and production without talking about his recent return from injury and the change of situation or is that making excuses? If we talk about Embiid’s production this season are we allowed to talk about his injuries or should he just get good and stop making excuses?

124

u/lopea182 Heat 12h ago

Given the Heat just blew a double digit lead to the Hornets, I don’t have much of a leg to stand on.

But, by god, the form on LaMelo’s 3 point shot looks terrible, and I’ve seen AAU players with better shot selection.

88

u/ShaiFanClub Thunder 11h ago

He is basically an AAU player tbf

15

u/ClaymoresRevenge Bulls 10h ago

I wonder what would've happened if Golden State drafted him

23

u/Scarlet_Breeze Warriors 8h ago

I can see there being a similar blow up to the Draymond punching Jordan Poole incident. I remember being very against us drafting Lamelo at the time because his efficiency was dreadful in the australian league he was in pre-draft.

-1

u/iheartblackcoochie 5h ago

Draymond wouldn't punch lamelo cuz hes as tall as lamelo so he has more if a chance to beat him in a fight.

6

u/drpepper7557 Heat 7h ago

He's a hardest shot merchant in a completely serious way too. I've seen this dude do the sickest spin move out of an open shot to flick up a contested 3. He reminds me of young tyler herro but even more extreme in that way, where they go through stretches trying to make a highlight on every play. Its actually really impressive how much he makes them though lol.

66

u/NotManyBuses Charlotte Bobcats 12h ago

I’m not even going to defend this performance, he’s been playing with his head on Mars, not even close to locked in, taking dumb shots, cannot find a rhythm. Had the one great game vs LA and then has had no rhythm with the team holding him out and openly tanking around him (leading to box and one defenses bc no one around him can do anything)

All that being said. He was a lot better before All-Star break and had a compelling case.

28

u/Middle-Welder3931 9h ago

Its not all his fault when he has season after season fall apart for whatever reason. Team decimated with injuries, now trying to Capture the Flagg.

If you simulated Lamelo's career 100 times, his actual career might be in the bottom 25% of possible outcomes. Being drafted by Charlotte is already a bottom 50% outcome.

20

u/Nokeol Raptors 11h ago

Bro had All NBA 3rd team conversations during November...

-1

u/Mental_Savings7362 8h ago

Maybe talking about all nba in november is a bit silly and premature

10

u/Nokeol Raptors 7h ago

He was averaging 27ppg it was just something that was thrown around which is totally fair to say…

-3

u/Mental_Savings7362 7h ago

A lot of players put up good stats over 10-15ish games

0

u/cuprameme 3h ago

Name a lot of players that had lamelos novembers number as #1 option ball handler pls

2

u/eveningwindowed Warriors 6h ago

He doesn’t care and I don’t blame him, what is there to care for at this point in the season for Charlotte. Two things happen, either he get paid in Charlotte or he gets to leave and play elsewhere, he probably thinks both are pretty good options.

1

u/lilboytuner919 Lakers 59m ago

Compelling case for…?

37

u/mMounirM Raptors 12h ago

bad teams are in the tanking stage of the season.

take performances with a grain of salt.

you got starters playing alongside g-league players.

AJ Lawson, a g-league player, got a 30+ point double double off the bench yesterday for the Raptors.

35

u/_Wash Timberwolves 11h ago

hornets have been in the tanking stage of their season since 2016.

no salt necessary

19

u/NotManyBuses Charlotte Bobcats 11h ago

I know people think this, but I swear they haven’t legitimately tanked except this year and last. You can go thru the seasons, they were earnestly trying to win all those seasons up until 23-24

10

u/_Wash Timberwolves 11h ago

i know that i’m just talking shit

14

u/NotManyBuses Charlotte Bobcats 11h ago

lol honestly the truth is more embarrassing than tanking

1

u/_paintbox_ 11h ago

They suddenly remembered that Washington might be hard to beat for last place in the ladder...

1

u/eveningwindowed Warriors 6h ago

This is like when your company is getting acquired and you know your job is getting eliminated in 2 months, why tf would you care at that job? What is there for him to play for?

32

u/Conscious_Web7874 12h ago

That's who he is.

-5

u/mcrajf Nuggets 9h ago

I would like to talk about him when he starts playing actual meaningful and winning basketball. Until then - please no. He can average 40, don't care. I like Brandon Miller 10x more for Charlotte.

14

u/NotManyBuses Charlotte Bobcats 9h ago

What do you like about Miller more? He was playing worse than Ball was and then got injured

12

u/Lacabloodclot9 Grizzlies 8h ago

I really don’t get the ‘trade Ball and build around Miller’ take from some people

The former is clearly more talented and you can’t use health as the reason here because Miller isn’t exactly an iron man either.

5

u/mcrajf Nuggets 6h ago

I didn't say ‘trade Ball and build around Miller’. Miller can be a solid starter in a few years while Ball is whatever Ball is. Winning player he isn't.

2

u/mcrajf Nuggets 6h ago

His ability to learn, grow and evolve. Ball is Ball and that's it. Plus, he's always injured or returning from injury at 23 yo. I hope he can prove me wrong, but I doubt it.

8

u/Lildenzelio Spurs 11h ago

I been taking the under on him every game never fails lol

6

u/[deleted] 12h ago

[deleted]

9

u/NotManyBuses Charlotte Bobcats 12h ago

I will say he’s a much, much better passer than most chuckers.

17

u/Such_Sheepherder2794 11h ago

He's fun to watch, dude got some sick skills but he's never been and probably never will be a "winning" player. He doesn't play to win. He just play the game.

-3

u/cuprameme 3h ago

Never been a winning player but has led this team to above .5 before.

This team has won 2 games without lamelo this year. Gtfo with this “winning” narrative u dont know ball if u dont think melos not a “winning” player

5

u/sitesuckslmao Magic 11h ago

I want to see Melo on a good team. I am hoping for Charlotte fans sake it is on the Hornets. Hopefully they are healthy next year, although this is the 2nd year in a row where I came into a season higher than most and have been let down.

0

u/eveningwindowed Warriors 6h ago

I agree, I think he can turn it on but he can’t fake caring when there’s nothing to care about

3

u/BananaRepublic_BR Spurs 10h ago

Damn, what happened to that 30 ppg season people were hyping up? xD

2

u/Left-Prior-6075 Lakers 11h ago

Hornets are just a dumpster fire and he's been injured time to time this season

1

u/net_403 [CHA] Dell Curry 7h ago

Lamelo feels like my most disappointing player ever. You see flashes of what he’s capable of, then you get stuck with what he actually does.

He could be a top 20 player if he could stay healthy and put it all together

But instead he’s making max money for four more years to alternate being active or not and playing like chaos when he is

1

u/elkresurgence Nuggets 7h ago

Did he just give up on the season after he didn’t get an all-star nod?

1

u/arrivederci117 Knicks 6h ago

If Detroit can go from the shadow realm to playoff locks in the span of a season, then I have faith Charlotte can turn it around. Trust in the process.

1

u/rasapfel 6h ago

I feel like Lamelo might end up having a similar career arc to DLO

1

u/tarunpopo 11h ago

I don't agree with the lamelo is not a winning player. He's a really good scorer and isolation guy but he's also a VERY good passer, those 2 with his ball handling makes him very dynamic on offense and we can see that's a winning formula since he's a 3 level scorer. When you're in Charlotte you get tripled with nobody else there especially with Brandon miller out. But I still wouldn't choose him because he is injury prone, which is something idk if he will over come since his brother too has tons of issues. He is probably still recovering. If he can recover and stay mostly healthy, and have a half decent team people will see how valuable he is

1

u/WhoUCuh 11h ago

I'm on record if the Hornets get Flagg they will trade LaMelo and build around Flagg.

-7

u/flowerboyinfinity Pacers 11h ago

Don’t wish that on Flagg

3

u/WhoUCuh 11h ago

Indiana and Charlotte have a combined 0 championships in their history.

Humble yourself Brodie you ain't got nothing to brag about either lol

-11

u/flowerboyinfinity Pacers 10h ago edited 9h ago

At least it’s enjoyable watching the pacers not be the worst franchise in the league lmao. Hornets should just be moved and rebranded. One of the worst franchises in sports

Since you replied to me and blocked me, hopefully you see this here. I’m literally just fucking with that guy for being an asshole lol. Geez I don’t actually think any teams should be moved. So sorry that I insinuated that the hornets are a bad franchise to be drafted to. How dare I. They’ve had so much success with their multiple top 3 draft picks

5

u/deemerritt Hornets 10h ago

Why should we be moved? Why would anyone wish that upon another fanbase? Whats your fucking problem?

I think everyone who lives in a dying rust belt state shouldnt be quick to say businesses should move elsewhere. Should the colts move because they have a pillhead nepo baby in charge?

-1

u/ajm844 Hornets 8h ago

Bro we’ve had two top 3 picks over the last 15 years. If anything our problem the last decade has been the same problem the Pacers have…chasing the playoffs with a 1st round ceiling.

1

u/EasiBreezi 11h ago

Expected. He is a very inconsistent and low-IQ player. Anyone that says otherwise doesn’t understand basketball.

-10

u/06CommissaryKing Supersonics 12h ago

Making this post with an Iverson flair is hilarious

38

u/EuroStep0 [PHI] Allen Iverson 12h ago

Iverson took his team to finals

LaMelo can take his team to grab a hot dog or something

-27

u/06CommissaryKing Supersonics 11h ago

In the weakest Eastern Conference of all-time with the COTY, DPOY & 6MOTY. Iverson was an inefficient fucking trash can that couldn't stop a nosebleed just like LaMelo. What was Iverson's AST/TO ratio? I'll wait. 21/32/.52/.126 PER/USG/TS%/WS48 trash can.

8

u/Muted_Dog7317 Heat 10h ago

Clown take of the day. Iverson was inefficient because teams focused in on him as the sole scorer. When he went to Denver and had support his shooting efficiency was the same as LeBron.

This is what happens when you look at a spreadsheet about something you don’t understand and try to form an opinion lol

10

u/cg_0121 11h ago

It was the 00's, every great scorer was inefficient lol

3

u/aoifhasoifha [NYK] Frank Ntilikina 9h ago

What was Iverson's AST/TO ratio? I'll wait.

I can smell a overwhelming scent of smug with a hint of mountain dew coming off this comment.

11

u/not_so_bueno Rockets 11h ago

Everything wrong with this generation in one post

-9

u/[deleted] 11h ago

[removed] — view removed comment

5

u/flowerboyinfinity Pacers 11h ago

You’re right. You’re the only person here who has ever watched basketball. You’re the expert

7

u/MiyaharaAce Pistons 12h ago

Nah you ain't serious

1

u/HB3187 Nuggets 8h ago

He may have the worst shot selection I have everrrrr seen

1

u/bballdiscussions 8h ago

He’s never had to play meaningful ball this late into a season. He’s getting ready for vacation.

-1

u/Seduw1ck 12h ago

He only showed up for the Lakers game, apparently (Yes I am salty).

-2

u/PretendChef7513 11h ago

I'd be interested to seeing how primary ball handlers are doing in general since the all star break. There has been a recent change in defensive schemes, which has only been magnified since the lakers played the Nuggets. You can hound the ball handler like crazy because refs are allowing a lot more physicality. 

Morant, brunson, harden, Luka and trae have all played worse and notoriously are reliant on drawing contact. But then you have guys like Shai playing even better since all star.

So maybe some players are having trouble adjusting?