When it comes to assessing LaMelo Ball, the following passages scare me:
“He always looks for the easy way out, making perfunctory swipes at the ball, and gambling on every entry pass.”
“His transition from offense to defense is shameful. Instead of hustling down court, he lingers near the ball, hoping for a steal. His postup defense offers less resistance than a soft summer’s breeze.”
“What’s the one talent he possesses that will survive his entry into the NBA? His court vision and his ability to pass the ball.”
These quotes actually aren’t about Ball, though they very well could be at this stage of his career. Instead, the above quotes are about a 17-year-old LeBron James, and penned by Charley Rosen, author and former CBA assistant coach to Phil Jackson. Rosen had a pretty successful second act as a writer, but his reputation was marred by the following line: “A note to long-suffering Cavaliers’ fans: Don’t…
