Jon K interview with Author/Writer Mirin Fader on LaMelo

[Jester1534]

Thanks for posting, Grey, and excellent summary, Lip! The terrific interview made me like LaMelo much more, and Lavar less (if that's possible). I've always been impressed with LaMelo's talent but wary of his personality...it turns out my fears were misplaced. I was already excited about trading for such a passing savant, but learning that he is such a terrific teammate makes me even more excited. Let's get this party started!

As someone who had to make a name for himself based on taking over a company from my father. I totally get this and no Fear LaMelo is own man with his own personality.

Sometimes we forget these athletes are humans
to and go through family bullshit as well.

[Lipoli390]

Thanks for posting, Grey, and excellent summary, Lip! The terrific interview made me like LaMelo much more, and Lavar less (if that's possible). I've always been impressed with LaMelo's talent but wary of his personality...it turns out my fears were misplaced. I was already excited about trading for such a passing savant, but learning that he is such a terrific teammate makes me even more excited. Let's get this party started!

As someone who had to make a name for himself based on taking over a company from my father. I totally get this and no Fear LaMelo is own man with his own personality.

Sometimes we forget these athletes are humans
to and go through family bullshit as well.

That’s a great point, Jester. These guys are not robots. I admire LaMelo for what he’s done so far in his career. He’s obviously very talented but he’s clearly put in the work to develop that talent, and he’s had to endure some tough family dynamics along the way.

And congrats to you, Jester, for paving your own path of success.

[Phenom]

I just got around to listening to this. I really enjoyed it. I think it was noteworthy how Melo has approached his craft from a young age and how he is beloved by his teammates and coaches. This is great to hear.

[Lipoli390]

I just got around to listening to this. I really enjoyed it. I think it was noteworthy how Melo has approached his craft from a young age and how he is beloved by his teammates and coaches. This is great to hear.

Yes. I was just watching a video quoting some NBA legends like Larry Bird, Shaq, and Pippen who have criticized LaMelo for “not being a winner” (Bird), “being all flash” or “not playing defense” (Pippen). I actually share Pippen's view that LaMelo has to commit to the defensive end in a way he never has for the Wolves to be successful. I think the same applies to Edwards. But the other criticisms reflect the same misunderstanding addressed by Mirin in this interview - ie., the supposition that Ball is not competitive, doesn’t play to win, or is just about making flashy plays and getting attention. I think Mirin makes it clear that’s not an accurate account of LaMelo.

Larry Bird is right, albeit somewhat exaggerated, that Ball “hasn’t won anything in six years.” But honestly, Ball hasn’t had a team around him that can win anything until last season when he finally had some decent (not great) teammates around him and not surprisingly they had some success. Larry knowns that teams, not individual players, win championships. Yes, LaMelo has a history of taking some seemingly crazy shots. He’ll definitely have to rein that in but it is also worth noting that those plays might have been the best options for a great player on a bad team going nowhere. After watching this interview, I’m confident that LaMelo will be focused on making winning player, whether flashy or not. And there should be no doubt about his love of the game or work ethic.

[Monster]

I just got around to listening to this. I really enjoyed it. I think it was noteworthy how Melo has approached his craft from a young age and how he is beloved by his teammates and coaches. This is great to hear.

Yes. I was just watching a video quoting some NBA legends like Larry Bird, Shaq, and Pippen who have criticized LaMelo for “not being a winner” (Bird), “being all flash” or “not playing defense” (Pippen). I actually share Pippen's view that LaMelo has to commit to the defensive end in a way he never has for the Wolves to be successful. I think the same applies to Edwards. But the other criticisms reflect the same misunderstanding addressed by Mirin in this interview - ie., the supposition that Ball is not competitive, doesn’t play to win, or is just about making flashy plays and getting attention. I think Mirin makes it clear that’s not an accurate account of LaMelo.

Larry Bird is right, albeit somewhat exaggerated, that Ball “hasn’t won anything in six years.” But honestly, Ball hasn’t had a team around him that can win anything until last season when he finally had some decent (not great) teammates around him and not surprisingly they had some success. Larry knowns that teams, not individual players, win championships. Yes, LaMelo has a history of taking some seemingly crazy shots. He’ll definitely have to rein that in but it is also worth noting that those plays might have been the best options for a great player on a bad team going nowhere. After watching this interview, I’m confident that LaMelo will be focused on making winning player, whether flashy or not. And there should be no doubt about his love of the game or work ethic.

I mean Larry Bird did some crazy shit on the court. Lol

[rapsuperstar31]

I just got around to listening to this. I really enjoyed it. I think it was noteworthy how Melo has approached his craft from a young age and how he is beloved by his teammates and coaches. This is great to hear.

Yes. I was just watching a video quoting some NBA legends like Larry Bird, Shaq, and Pippen who have criticized LaMelo for “not being a winner” (Bird), “being all flash” or “not playing defense” (Pippen). I actually share Pippen's view that LaMelo has to commit to the defensive end in a way he never has for the Wolves to be successful. I think the same applies to Edwards. But the other criticisms reflect the same misunderstanding addressed by Mirin in this interview - ie., the supposition that Ball is not competitive, doesn’t play to win, or is just about making flashy plays and getting attention. I think Mirin makes it clear that’s not an accurate account of LaMelo.

Larry Bird is right, albeit somewhat exaggerated, that Ball “hasn’t won anything in six years.” But honestly, Ball hasn’t had a team around him that can win anything until last season when he finally had some decent (not great) teammates around him and not surprisingly they had some success. Larry knowns that teams, not individual players, win championships. Yes, LaMelo has a history of taking some seemingly crazy shots. He’ll definitely have to rein that in but it is also worth noting that those plays might have been the best options for a great player on a bad team going nowhere. After watching this interview, I’m confident that LaMelo will be focused on making winning player, whether flashy or not. And there should be no doubt about his love of the game or work ethic.

Some of it is the injuries, and playing for a team that kept tanking. We see it in Utah where Lauri an all star starter a few years ago hasn't made the playoffs yet and just turned 29. I also think Ball is more a #2 on a team or a 1A/1B type player needing that secondary star, where he was forced to be the #1 in Charlotte. Narratives can shift quickly, and they did a bit last year with Ball healthy and Charlotte being one of the best teams in the league after the all star break. Devin Booker went from not making the playoffs his first 5 seasons to being the next Kobe Bryant making the finals, and has since dropped a bit since the Durant trade messed everything up. If he stays healthy this year we make the playoffs, and once you make the playoffs that is where you truly make your name in the league good or bad.

[Lipoli390]

I just got around to listening to this. I really enjoyed it. I think it was noteworthy how Melo has approached his craft from a young age and how he is beloved by his teammates and coaches. This is great to hear.

Yes. I was just watching a video quoting some NBA legends like Larry Bird, Shaq, and Pippen who have criticized LaMelo for “not being a winner” (Bird), “being all flash” or “not playing defense” (Pippen). I actually share Pippen's view that LaMelo has to commit to the defensive end in a way he never has for the Wolves to be successful. I think the same applies to Edwards. But the other criticisms reflect the same misunderstanding addressed by Mirin in this interview - ie., the supposition that Ball is not competitive, doesn’t play to win, or is just about making flashy plays and getting attention. I think Mirin makes it clear that’s not an accurate account of LaMelo.

Larry Bird is right, albeit somewhat exaggerated, that Ball “hasn’t won anything in six years.” But honestly, Ball hasn’t had a team around him that can win anything until last season when he finally had some decent (not great) teammates around him and not surprisingly they had some success. Larry knowns that teams, not individual players, win championships. Yes, LaMelo has a history of taking some seemingly crazy shots. He’ll definitely have to rein that in but it is also worth noting that those plays might have been the best options for a great player on a bad team going nowhere. After watching this interview, I’m confident that LaMelo will be focused on making winning player, whether flashy or not. And there should be no doubt about his love of the game or work ethic.

I mean Larry Bird did some crazy shit on the court. Lol

That’s for sure, Monster! As I recall he once played an entire half shooting with his left hand. And I think I recall he closed his eyes at the free throw line once. He would tell his opponents exactly what he was going to do just before he did it. He made some eye-popping behind the back passes. So he’s certainly in no position to criticize Ball for the way Ball plays. As for winning. Well, Lamelo’s never played on a team with the modern equivalent of Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, etc. He’ll now have high-level talent around him in Minnesota. Now we can start to judge him on winning.

[Monster]

Yes. I was just watching a video quoting some NBA legends like Larry Bird, Shaq, and Pippen who have criticized LaMelo for “not being a winner” (Bird), “being all flash” or “not playing defense” (Pippen). I actually share Pippen's view that LaMelo has to commit to the defensive end in a way he never has for the Wolves to be successful. I think the same applies to Edwards. But the other criticisms reflect the same misunderstanding addressed by Mirin in this interview - ie., the supposition that Ball is not competitive, doesn’t play to win, or is just about making flashy plays and getting attention. I think Mirin makes it clear that’s not an accurate account of LaMelo.

Larry Bird is right, albeit somewhat exaggerated, that Ball “hasn’t won anything in six years.” But honestly, Ball hasn’t had a team around him that can win anything until last season when he finally had some decent (not great) teammates around him and not surprisingly they had some success. Larry knowns that teams, not individual players, win championships. Yes, LaMelo has a history of taking some seemingly crazy shots. He’ll definitely have to rein that in but it is also worth noting that those plays might have been the best options for a great player on a bad team going nowhere. After watching this interview, I’m confident that LaMelo will be focused on making winning player, whether flashy or not. And there should be no doubt about his love of the game or work ethic.

I mean Larry Bird did some crazy shit on the court. Lol

That’s for sure, Monster! As I recall he once played an entire half shooting with his left hand. And I think I recall he closed his eyes at the free throw line once. He would tell his opponents exactly what he was going to do just before he did it. He made some eye-popping behind the back passes. So he’s certainly in no position to criticize Ball for the way Ball plays. As for winning. Well, Lamelo’s never played on a team with the modern equivalent of Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, etc. He’ll now have high-level talent around him in Minnesota. Now we can start to judge him on winning.

Yep and having said that Bird was a winning player though obviously and it's also interesting because of his journey to the NBA. Remember he went back to school and his first year in the league he was a few weeks shy of his 23rd birthday. Dude put up 20 and 10 his rookie year. Bird is my all time favorite player and I think often is not appreciated quite enough when people talk about the greatest players of all time. I'm not saying he is the GOAT but damn he was good.

[Lipoli390]

I mean Larry Bird did some crazy shit on the court. Lol

That’s for sure, Monster! As I recall he once played an entire half shooting with his left hand. And I think I recall he closed his eyes at the free throw line once. He would tell his opponents exactly what he was going to do just before he did it. He made some eye-popping behind the back passes. So he’s certainly in no position to criticize Ball for the way Ball plays. As for winning. Well, Lamelo’s never played on a team with the modern equivalent of Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, etc. He’ll now have high-level talent around him in Minnesota. Now we can start to judge him on winning.

Yep and having said that Bird was a winning player though obviously and it's also interesting because of his journey to the NBA. Remember he went back to school and his first year in the league he was a few weeks shy of his 23rd birthday. Dude put up 20 and 10 his rookie year. Bird is my all time favorite player and I think often is not appreciated quite enough when people talk about the greatest players of all time. I'm not saying he is the GOAT but damn he was good.

I’m also a huge Larry Bird fan. He’s definitely among my favorites with MJ, Allen Iverson, and Magic Johnson.