First, my apologies if you both took my first line dead serious. It wasn't meant that way. I didn't want to disrespect your opinions. Actually I agree on most of your points. I just don't go along with LaMelo being a 2nd round pick in a rather weak draft. For me he's a late lottery or mid first rounder, but that's just my opinion and I'm far from being an expert. Except for some YouTube videos I didn't see any footage of LaMelo. I read the scouting reports on different websites. I think they were pretty clear about his weaknesses and mostly didn't hype his strengths too much. I was glad he went to Charlotte bc I don't really care about the Hornets. But I like to give all new players a chance before writing them off, no matter what sport we are talking about. We will see if he can live up to his draft position or if he will be a complete bust.
After the first four games I can see him as a rotation guy, surely not a star or even franchise player.
Regarding his NBL season I wouldn't put too much into him leaving the team early. I'm sure he was able to play the rest of the season. Given Ball history that was a business decision like everything else after he left high school. I don't think they ever intended to let him play a full season. They just wanted to increase his draft stock value and unfortunately it worked out for them. I hope both teams, the one in Lithuania and in New Zealand, still got something out of this episode.
For me as someone who is mostly watching NBA and college basketball I can relate to some of the ignorant people. It's hard to compare different talents if you don't have the same level of information on them. Most times the fastest and easiest way is to read the reports in the media and study some stats. Of course, stat fillers like Westbrook & Co always look better than other players that might have a bigger impact on teams' success. Everybody is biased somehow going into the draft.
I wasn't impressed by Luka's pure stats in Europe. At first sight his numbers weren't great compared to what you are used to in the NBA on a daily basis. When you consider the shorter quarters in FIBA basketball and even more his age, it's a different story. Luckily I was also able to watch some of his performances for Real Madrid. After that I was sold on him. It was his presence on the court what impressed me the most. I'm still stunned that he didn't go No 1 in the draft in 2018. I guess the Suns went for the potential and the need of a 7 footer (even though Ayton is 6'11) and the Kings just did what the Kings usually do. The Mavs couldn't be more lucky after trading for the Hawks pick.
I also think it's time to realize 7 footers don't mean more potential. There are too many disappointments in the history, not to forget the injury risk you have to take on. Players like Jokic will always be exceptionally rare. Most 7 footers are either injury prone (like Embiid or Oden) or suck/ are role players at best.
As a Warriors fan I still like the Wiseman pick though ;)
Btw I really hope Hartenstein gets the chance to prove that people were wrong taking Bender over him.
It's just another fan in the peanut gallery with an opinion, which is meaningless. (Gregg Popovich on LaVar Ball)
