Boston Celtics rookie Fab Melo still a work in progress - NBA Update
Boston Celtics first round pick Fab Mel has faced a rude awakening so far in the summer league. The seven footer’s game is still raw and he is still learning the secrets of the pick-and-roll defence.
The Boston Celtics were weak on size last season and Kevin Garnett was the only reliable option for them in the low post. Going into the NBA Draft, this aspect was the priority number one for the C’s and they roped in the towering
Brazilian from their 22nd pick.
However during the Orlando Summer league, Melo has failed to impress. Jared Sullinger and Kris Joseph, the other two Boston picks, on the other hand have displayed an impressive show and this has pulled Fab into hot waters of sorts.
Fab is going through a transition period and is taking his time to adjust into an entire new game, with different pace and scheme. During the 5 games in Orlando, he averaged 1.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1 block over 15.8 minutes
per game. On 13th July, Melo recorded his season best against Orlando Magic. He had 10 boards and 5 points in Boston 94-73 victory.
Melo has had some success on the defensive end, but has taken some crazy shots which has compelled people to question Boston’s choice. Summer league coach Tyronn Lue however still sees a lot of potential in him;
“Fab, this is only his sixth year of playing, but he’s getting better [learning] out of timeouts,” Lue said. “His conditioning, I guess at Syracuse they were playing zone the whole time so he would just stay in the middle of the
lane. Here, there’s multiple things you have to do, so I think his wind and conditioning is a factor. But he’ll be OK.”
One thing that became evident during the past 5 games is that he is trying to take charges;
“His defensive effort is still there," Kris Joseph, his former teammate at Syracuse said. "He got some blocks and, as you can see, he can contest everything -- no matter if the guy's a high-flyer or not”.
His conditioning might take long in contrast to C’s other drafts, but once done with the Summer League, Melo will be mentored by Kevin Garnett, and by the start of next season Celtics will have a formidable centre in the form of
Fab.
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