Are Tim MacMahon’s comments on LaMelo Ball FAIR or FOUL?! | Ryan Kalkbrenner’s BREAKOUT Game!
On today’s show, we’re recapping the Hornets’ first preseason victory, a 120-116 win over the Dallas Mavericks. The story of the night was a brand new starting lineup that featured breakout performances from some unexpected players. Rookie center Ryan Kalkbrenner had a perfect night, scoring 14 points on 7-of-7 shooting and grabbing 10 rebounds, making a massive statement in the ongoing battle for the starting center spot. LaMelo Ball also continued his fantastic preseason, looking comfortable and efficient while pouring in 26 points with a +27 plus-minus. We also look at bounce-back games from Brandon Miller and Miles Bridges.
Then, we turn our attention to some controversial comments from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon about LaMelo Ball. We play a game of “Fair or Foul” with his critiques, including his assertion that LaMelo “doesn’t care to compete” on defense and that he “can’t be the face of a winning franchise.” We have a spirited discussion, arguing that these national media takes are outdated and fail to acknowledge LaMelo’s improved effort and the lack of talent he’s had around him for most of his career.
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#Hornets #LaMelo #LaMeloBall #CharlotteHornets
24 Comments
Lazy is in the room, but it’s Tim’s takes
The Biggest question to ask- "is Melo a worst defender then Luka" 🤔 if he is then Hornets have to trade him.
HARD TRUTH: You can’t win with melo. Only way he makes a championship unless he’s paired with superstar or a no-nonsense coach. One thing you have to understand about LaMelo…he’s just happy to be here. You could tell that by his demeanor and when he plays the game. You don’t see him screaming at teammates like a kobe or LeBron you don’t see him holding his teammates accountable because he often tends to shoot poor shots himself.He doesn’t even look at his self as a superstar if he did, he would have demanded that the team keep gelo keep his brother on the team look at Giannis. He has all three of his brothers on a team. Melo is no superstar. The Hornets need to move on from him. LAMELO DOESNT CARE BRO
10:36 he’s been in a league for six years already
Can we just talk about the game LaMelo just played? It would appear that article was pre-written based on that journalist's personal bias, not fact, and giving him more 'air-time' is just irresponsible and unfair to LaMelo. These first 18minutes would have been better served just talking about the Hornets v. Mavericks.
lamelo knows no other team is going to value you as much as the team that drafted you. Sexton looks really good. i don't think that Sexton trade was possible without also drafting Kon at the same time. some backroom deals going on.
Listen, push pass the Fandom. Melo dont give an F. If he did, he would have pushed his way out of Charlotte. But there is no group players, or group of draft picks that would be more exciting than him. So let's enjoy the 38 to 50 games a year of floaters, fun passes and one legged threes.
It's obvious that the bulk of national journalist don't watch the Hornets enough to have a legit opinion on LaMelo. They are all just repeating things they tell each other, and it's all vibes based.
I predict that these pundits are going to eat their words eventually. Whenever LaMelo comes up, they regularly make underhanded comments (e.g., hoops like he has AirPods in, playground basketball, entertaining) and outright digs (e.g., doesn’t care, losing player, carnival act). ASSUMING he and this roster stay healthy, the narrative is probably going to be that he took a leap. But I think its more accurate to say he’s just been stuck on a bottom-tier roster and shouldering the blame. I don’t know if I will be able to stomach the way the national media changes their tune.
i need to see lamelo put this team on his shoulders and be a captain. were close but need to get gritty.
Lamelo hasn't won on any level except for freshman year with his brothers. It's pretty simple why many people believe he can't win at this level nor lead a winning team. It's hard to teach how to be a leader. You either have it or you don't and it seems like he leans to not having it.
Dont know who that guy is, dont care about what he thinks.
Lineup last night was the best and lots of Sexton miles& Miller mostly Kalk 28 min Switch Melo and Mann out Constantly for style of play.
Collin Sexton is a starter. Stop making it so complicated. He and LaMelo looked great together for a reason because of their offensive games and playmaking. it’s very clear Sexton needs to be on the floor a ton for you guys to be really competitive. He’s most definitely going to close games lol. Another thing you guys don’t know about him is that he is really good in the clutch. Man, I can’t wait until the real game start because some of the things you guys are saying is kind of wild considering the player sexton is. Kon can develop just fine coming off the bench. You need ball handling in the starting lineup. Sexton provides that it’s just that simple. I don’t know how there’s still confusion of who needs to start at the shooting guard. It’s starting to sound like y’all want kon to start more than you actually wanna win games
LeMelo hasn't won since he has been in the league (5 years), Hornets have not won since they have been in the league (20 years)
Colin sexton needs to start it pretty freaking simple we need a actual vet dawg gaurd beside melo plus colin gets free throws melo and miller don't stop talking about the bench. We have tre and kon.
The Kalk baybee
FOUL ! The NBA establishment doesn't want Lamelo to be one of the faces of the league. Although if he had their stamp of approval he would be allowed to avg 30ppg and be a top 3 player in the league and they would rave about him in the National media and he would be making the All Star team every year. Instead they run a psy op false narrative campaign and the Refs give him as few calls as possible hence the reason he will probably keep getting hurt bc defenses will just keep mauling him… Lamelo hits the floor at the rim more than any player in the league…and it seems to lead to Lamelo ramping up his defensive effort and then gets tick tack and frustration fouls that hurts his numbers this happend all the time last year.
LaMelo wants to be in a big market like Zion is still forcing his way to the Knicks lol
F those talking heads . The talent around Lamelo is the worst in the league
How come nobody never talks about how lamelo gets fouled and the refs don’t call the foul but when he is on defense and he is actually guarding and the refs call the foul on him
McMahon is always condescending and negative
Great podcast as always Walker and Doug 🙌🏻, really hoping Lamelo stays healthy and balls out this season 🏀. I think Lamelo taking 15/20 per game shots is ideal and his efficiency would increase in my opinion. We’ve got a better roster now with better ball handlers/shooters especially in the backcourt, Lamelo 20 PPG, 8 Asts, 6 Rebs would be brilliant with his efficiency up 🏀
Agree with Doug, the LaMelo-Sexton backcourt looks best. Good chemistry there, the Sexton-Mann chemistry is missing. Maybe they find it in time.