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NBA Draft: Why LaMelo Ball is the definitive No. 1 prospect in the 2020 class

By Evan Wheeler

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - NOVEMBER 30: LaMelo Ball of the Hawks in action during the round 9 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Illawarra Hawks at Spark Arena on November 30, 2019 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /
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NBA Draft
NBA Draft prospect LaMelo Ball (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images) /

Shooting

Much of the concerns with LaMelo Ball have been the belief that he isn’t a good shooter and he isn’t efficient with his shot attempts. I can understand the argument for the efficiency given that he averaged 6.7 3-point attempts per game for Illawarra last season and only made 1.7 of those shot attempts. His shot selection is an area of improvement, especially if he is to be the main facilitator of an offense.

I can also understand why people would be worried about his overall shooting potential, he does have similar shaky mechanics that his brother Lonzo showcases and has an awkward looking shot in general. LaMelo’s release is pretty low and right in front of his face, his 25 percent 3-point shooting percentage for the Hawks in the NBL last year adds to the issues.

But I really don’t buy into these worries and concerns or the belief that Ball can’t shoot. He is a bit streaky and his mid-range game needs more consistency, but he’s a very formidable threat from beyond the arc. Ball can create his own shot and shoot the 3 off the dribble or spot up and be a catch and shoot threat, possessing phenomenal range as a shooter as well as a quick release. I’d argue he’s better off the dribble and Ball is unbothered by tough contests by defenders, knocking down contested 3’s with no problem.

LaMelo shooting off dribble, put defender in mixer, hits 3 fading away with hand in face
LaMelo shooting off dribble, put defender in mixer, hits 3 fading away with hand in face /

He hits 3’s off the bounce that is very reminiscent of shots that Steph Curry and Trae Young regularly make. That doesn’t mean he’s as good of a shooter as either one of those players or ever will be, but it’s another layer to his game that he has in his offensive toolbox. I’ve just seen too much evidence to believe the notion that he can’t shoot, that is just untrue and wildly inaccurate.

LaMelo shooting off dribble, stepback three, handles, quick dribble
LaMelo shooting off dribble, stepback three, handles, quick dribble /

Yes, I don’t think it would be a good idea for him to shoot nearly seven 3-point shots a game his rookie season. But to suggest that as a reason to say LaMelo definitely can’t shoot, to me at least is a bit foolish.

LaMelo catch and shoot corner 3, fading away, good follow through
LaMelo catch and shoot corner 3, fading away, good follow through /

Which leads us to the handling and finishing ability of LaMelo Ball.