January 11, 2021
LaMelo started this game 0-for-7 and finished 3-for-13. Despite the dry shooting spell, he stuffed the stat sheet with 14 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and only one turnover. More importantly, he learned from his mistakes and made improvements in-game, like software updating in real-time. In this edition of Game Recap, we can see how fast LaMelo learns from mistakes and makes adjustments, in a new series we’re calling Rookie Plays, Veteran Plays.
Rookie layup
LaMelo attacks downhill off a double screen, but gets his up and under layup erased by Nerlens Noel.
Learning Moment
At the next dead ball, P.J. Washington demonstrates to LaMelo how to get into the body of the defender and extend the ball to avoid the shot block.
Veteran layup
Off the pump fake, LaMelo seeks contact and uses his off arm to create separation for the layup.
After the play, he complains to the referee with veteran incredulity.
Rookie pass
Even with the look-away, this pass is too lackadaisical against NBA-level athletes. This horns set is ubiquitous in the league — defenders know the ball is going to the elbow here.
Veteran pass
The combination of the forceful rim run and LaMelo's decisive pass makes this play too fast to defend for the low man chasing in from the weak side corner.
Julius Randle needs to have his hands up to deny the bullet pass. A lofted pass would have given the help defense more time to recover.
Rookie Defense
LaMelo is guarding the shooter in the strong side corner. His top priority is to prevent a corner 3. Generally, defenders in LaMelo’s position will stunt at the ball handler before recovering to their assignment. But LaMelo doesn’t stunt or stay attached to Kevin Knox in the corner – he spins in place.
LaMelo is standing upright with his arms by his sides even though the ball is in front of him — he needs to be in a defensive stance.
Coach Borrego points and claps at LaMelo to get back to his man
Veteran defense
This is the same possession as the previous GIF, seconds later. LaMelo starts out zoning up between two weakside shooters — textbook technique as his teammates are in help position. As the defense resets, LaMelo gets into the passing lane and unfurls his length to force a turnover.
Veteran peacekeeping
