The LaMelo Ball preseason was inspired by a pair of ineffective displays, even though they were flash.
In the first and last game, Ball was a 1-for-15 together from the field, 0-for-7 from three and scored just four points total, all coming into the opening. aige. In each of these games there were sled fans who showed how he could influence a game even when he was struggling as a hunter.
Both midfield competitions, however, were Ball much closer to the best level. Member got 30 points combined and it looked like a preview that deserved to be drafted No. 3 overall.
On Monday, James Borrego summed up Ball ‘s performance in the preseason, both good and bad.
“Well, overall, he’s been playing really well,” he said. “I mean, I think he understands his colleagues at a higher level. They understand it. We’re going to learn a lot about each other as we go along. A shooting choice is something I’m talking about. He needs to understand that. Time and score, it has to be understood at a higher level and, you know, there is a different rhythm here. He needs to understand that if we need a good picture, this is what we need. He needs to understand picture selection. He needs to understand defensive terms. He needs to value each end of the floor. Those are the things I saw, regularly throughout the camp. ”
Considering he was a rookie who was not a normal off-season before joining the team and, like everyone else, had been part of an accelerated training camp, Borrego was also sure to ensure that no Member was expected to be out of hand.
“It wasn’t perfect, you know, but then again, that’s not what I want,” he continued. “I want to grow and I see growth out of it. He did not have the best game of the last season against Orlando. He is a rookie. He’s going to be getting some of those nights. It’s not going to be perfect. He’s not going to go, you know, 10-for-10 off the field every night with 10 assists. It’s just not going to happen.
“But what I ask of him is, he learns, he grows, he comes in the next day, he tries to get better. And for me this baby, it’s all about that. “
Ball of the season will start coming off the bench, a move that should help put pressure on him. As he becomes more comfortable in his role and with his teammates, a Member should find more success in the league and achieve a level, avoiding the highs and lows.