Fab Melo & Athleticism

[ScoobyDoo]

I read the Fab article on the main page today and saw the phrases "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" used to describe him.

I watched him in summer league and while I thought he was a "decent" athlete for a seven footer, I also thought he looked like a typical seven footer, that is, a little slow, awkward and cumbersome at times.

When I think of athletically gifted 7 footers names like David Robinson, Kevin Garnett, Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan type guys (athleticism only, not talent...) come to mind.

Do you guys look at Melo and think "athletically gifted"?

[lightspeed5]

fab is huge and is very quick and nimble. So yes, a great athlete.

[Chris]

I wouldn't say Melo is a great athlete.  I think he is very long, and very mobile for a big man, but he has never been a real explosive athlete.

Of course, his athleticism is not the problem.  He is plenty athletic enough to be an excellent NBA big man.  The question is whether he understands how to play the game.

[ronaldo943]

Javale McGee= athlete

[relja]

Well, firstly people strike too hard at him. He has been playing basketball since like 15? He doesn't even have a 10 year experience like most kids in the US.. He has a soccer background and a result of that is his good court awareness and vision.. He is athletic and has significant size but like many people said: the talent is there, he just needs to learn the fundamentals and he's good to go.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yeah, Ok. That's how I see it pretty much. I mean, he is big and fairly long, but he just doesn't strike me as this run/jump uber athlete.

But as you said lightspeed5, "quick" and "nimble" are viable athletic traits as well. Pierce isn't a jaw dropping athlete, but he is certainly a great athlete in terms of strength, footwork and deceptive quickness on the drive.

Likewise, Bird wasn't a "run/jump" athlete, but he certainly was a great athlete in terms of strength, deception and hand/foot speed, court vision.

I guess if Melo figures it out, he could be something special then - or at least he has the physical tools to be... 

[ScoobyDoo]

Still, I find the terms "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" odd ones when applied to him.

Maybe that will become more apparent when he "gets it" and that athleticism will therefore then become more glaringly apparent.

[Chris]

Still, I find the terms "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" odd ones when applied to him.

Maybe that will become more apparent when he "gets it" and that athleticism will therefore then become more glaringly apparent.

Yeah, exactly.

I would describe him as "long" and "mobile".  Leave athletically gifted for the human pogosticks. 

[Fafnir]

Still, I find the terms "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" odd ones when applied to him.

Maybe that will become more apparent when he "gets it" and that athleticism will therefore then become more glaringly apparent.

Yeah, exactly.

I would describe him as "long" and "mobile".  Leave athletically gifted for the human pogosticks.

Pretty much.

Bears out in Melo's measureables too, compared to Joakim Noah he's roughly as agile/fast as Noah while being much longer. His vertical measured both ways is several inches less.

[alajet]

Well, firstly people strike too hard at him. He has been playing basketball since like 15? He doesn't even have a 10 year experience like most kids in the US.. He has a soccer background and a result of that is his good court awareness and vision.. He is athletic and has significant size but like many people said: the talent is there, he just needs to learn the fundamentals and he's good to go.

Exactly. Well said.
He's Hasheem Thabeet of Celtics roster.

[Chris]

Still, I find the terms "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" odd ones when applied to him.

Maybe that will become more apparent when he "gets it" and that athleticism will therefore then become more glaringly apparent.

Yeah, exactly.

I would describe him as "long" and "mobile".  Leave athletically gifted for the human pogosticks.

Pretty much.

Bears out in Melo's measureables too, compared to Joakim Noah he's roughly as agile/fast as Noah while being much longer. His vertical measured both ways is several inches less.

And I wouldn't even call Noah a spectacular athlete.  I think Noah is also more of a "mobile" big man. 

I leave the great athlete modiker for guys like Howard, McGee, Chris Anderson, the kid Detroit drafted (I am drawing a blank on his name) and guys like that. 

[Quinn]

Still, I find the terms "athletically gifted" and "crazy athleticism" odd ones when applied to him.

Maybe that will become more apparent when he "gets it" and that athleticism will therefore then become more glaringly apparent.

Yeah, exactly.

I would describe him as "long" and "mobile".  Leave athletically gifted for the human pogosticks.

Pretty much.

Bears out in Melo's measureables too, compared to Joakim Noah he's roughly as agile/fast as Noah while being much longer. His vertical measured both ways is several inches less.

And I wouldn't even call Noah a spectacular athlete.  I think Noah is also more of a "mobile" big man. 

I leave the great athlete modiker for guys like Howard, McGee, Chris Anderson, the kid Detroit drafted (I am drawing a blank on his name) and guys like that.

Drummond? Add deandre Jordan to that list too.

[hwangjini_1]

for what it is worth, here is a link to a highlight reel on youtube. yes, it is a highlight reel, so keep that in mind. but aside from making every shot, watch his "athleticism."

he is pretty good. more than enough basic ability to make the nba. what he lacks is training and experience. maybe in about 1 1/2 to 2 years he might be good enough to stay on the floor.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKyP3Por3xI

and here is his draft video to boot. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFFZOYgcbzQ

[bfrombleacher]

Soccer has made him nimble and quick on his feet. Better than some forwards and guards even.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b0M-N3UHvI

I feel like that play was more from soccer and instinct than the 5 years basketball experience he had.

[Celtics4ever]

Melo is a mobile athlete, his combine numbers were not spectacular.  Middle of the road, as I recall.

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Fab-Melo-5715/

31" is a nice vertical for a seven footer but some others were way above him.  His bench press was a measly nine and that is horrible.

I think we over rate him it's part of being a fan.