Ben McLemore
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Not quite to "I told you so" time, but it's getting there. 
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
Not quite to "I told you so" time, but it's getting there.
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
Not quite to "I told you so" time, but it's getting there.
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
There were some over the top rough words for the kid last year (like Nik now). Several times some of us kept pointing out that he CAN shoot, but he was rushing. It was a matter of time for the game to slow down for him.
It's happening. It's confidence. Even his misses are mostly looking good. The kid who can't shoot is a 41% 3 point shooter right now. He's also over 50% on 2's.
It's also about getting the chance to take enough shots to get a rhythm. Thanks DC for allowing that!
He made a conscious effort to rebound in this game and pulled down 9 boards. The points were nice, but he filled up the stat sheet. The potential is scary. Can be more than a 3 and D guy. A key for him is that DMC and Gay have taken an active role in his development. He needs that positive reinforcement from his peers. Let's hope he reaches his full potential.
Not ready to anoint but not willing to trade anymore. I will be honest and say I was one who thought the kid wasn't going to get it. I was wrong. He has developed into a very good shooter in games. He was always a good shooter in practice and in college. But the NBA is a different animal. He has found his spots and learned the veteran dribble moves to free himself for good shots. Something Nik still needs to learn. When he is hot from the outside the Kings are an extremely difficult team to defend. You have Cousins, who is a dominant big who must be double teamed, you have Gay who is a shooter/slasher from the wing, you have Collison who is a shooter/slasher/disher, and now you have Ben who is a 3 point shooter/slasher (oh J.T. where art thou). And all are good team defenders.
I hope Ben continues to refine his game defensively as well as offensively. He may be the answer at the 2, but it is too early to say definitively that he has arrived. But at this point I wouldn't trade him for anyone.
I hope Ben continues to refine his game defensively as well as offensively. He may be the answer at the 2, but it is too early to say definitively that he has arrived. But at this point I wouldn't trade him for anyone.
McLemore is inconsistent, though the general trend is better than last year. One game doesn't mean anything, whether it's good or bad. And actually if teams are going to play zone against the Kings because of Cousins, it's not asking a great deal of the two-guard that he should make open shots. To me, he's still very green. Hopefully, the upward trend continues and he continues to get better, especially with his ball handling.
At this point, I wouldn't trade Ben for anything. He's showing a glimpse of what's going to come. He's played excellent, even if Ben struggles, we can just bring in a back up SG. I wouldn't give up Ben in any trade. When he reaches his prime, he can be crazy good. His potential is off the charts.
People say he has the potential to be a 3&D guy, but I think that's already what he is now.
People say he has the potential to be a 3&D guy, but I think that's already what he is now.
Bmac is slowly becoming a consistent player. I understand the frustrating turnovers in yesterday's game that boggle the mind but I really think we need a few games of Ben getting / taking 18+ shots. Like we've all seen, once he gets in a rhythm he can be fairly unstoppable. It seems like Malone takes him out or stops running plays for him when he is in a groove. It also appears that in the last few games Ben has missed his first few shots then recovered and almost shot 100% from there on out. Just a big sign of his confidence progressing and not hiding in the corner after a couple missed shots... Lastly, if any of you watched KU when Ben played there Bill Self always found a way to get Ben an easy bucket early to spark his confidence and comfort level. Like running an inbounds play lob for him or a backdoor lob / layup. I just think we all are happy when Ben scores 14 plus but I truly think his potential could be in the low 20s if utilized night in and night out. All of this is IMO...
The only play making we need Nik to do is hitting some shots. Or even taking them when hes's open.
Nik is on the second unit because he's a shell shocked rookie. He'll get better. I actually think he's getting better on D already. But there is no strategy for him being on the second unit besides the fact that he didn't earn the starting spot.
Nik is on the second unit because he's a shell shocked rookie. He'll get better. I actually think he's getting better on D already. But there is no strategy for him being on the second unit besides the fact that he didn't earn the starting spot.
BenMc is by far the best King from the 3-point land. Therefore, create shots for him and he'll respond. His release is so fast and so smooth that you simply have to utilize that option. During the last 10 seconds on the clock BenMc should only move at the arc and look for that pass for him to shoot.
1) Solid defender who is improving almost night by night.
2) Hitting his shots at a nice percentage.
3) Gives us 1 or 2 highlights per game with his jump out of the gym athletic ability.
4) Dribble game is just getting better and better.
5) Team mates have confidence in this young man.
Check, check, check, check and check!!!!
2) Hitting his shots at a nice percentage.
3) Gives us 1 or 2 highlights per game with his jump out of the gym athletic ability.
4) Dribble game is just getting better and better.
5) Team mates have confidence in this young man.
Check, check, check, check and check!!!!
He lacks the ability to create his own shot and will therefore never be a Top 2 SG in this league. He will improve, but his handles are a bit shaky and don't look natural. He will never reach Wade's, Kobe's, DeRozan's or Ginobili's ability to create of the dribble and get his shot at will. Right now he is decent at straight simple drives to the basket and spot up jumpshots. If he improves his handles, he can be a Danny Green or Wes Mathews kind of player with serious athleticism. That would make a really good player, but certainly not a Top 3 SG.
But to be honest - we dont need a SG, that can create at will, if Cousins and Gay are healthy and on the floor. Ben should compliment those 2 really well, if he reaches his full potential. I would love to see the Kings call more plays for Ben and get him to run around multiple screens. He is so fast, it would really cause difficulties for the defender, if Ben learns to use screens like Reggie Miller or Ray Allen. I think that has to be the next step in Ben's development.
But to be honest - we dont need a SG, that can create at will, if Cousins and Gay are healthy and on the floor. Ben should compliment those 2 really well, if he reaches his full potential. I would love to see the Kings call more plays for Ben and get him to run around multiple screens. He is so fast, it would really cause difficulties for the defender, if Ben learns to use screens like Reggie Miller or Ray Allen. I think that has to be the next step in Ben's development.
I'm so pleased with his improvement this year. IMO, most notable has been his dribbling. I've noticed a number of possessions where he fakes right and dribbles strong to the rim with his left hand, through traffic. And he's learning to do that with success. And it's causing defenders to stay on their toes.
There is NO way last year's Ben could have done that. Now you add on his much improved shooting, confidence, rebounding, and heck..even his successful dunk %. Keep it up, kid!
There is NO way last year's Ben could have done that. Now you add on his much improved shooting, confidence, rebounding, and heck..even his successful dunk %. Keep it up, kid!
Ben will never be a great slasher - too behind in floor skills, but with his quickness, jumping ability and quick release he is able to get his shot off, and that's creating your own shot. That's actually, what you need next to a couple of guys, who prefer to operate inside and are very good at it. Teams pay more attention to him now and no longer just straight cheat off of him, but they can still use his man for a soft double inside. When Ben gets skilled and consistent enough, that opponents will have to pay a lot of attention to prevent Ben from getting open...Boogie will have a lot more freedom.
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