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[bfrombleacher]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VqzqrV1sGxw#!

Melo was not only pitched against the likes of Whiteside, Pittman and Moultrie but he seemed to also have been game planned against by the Skyforce as early foul trouble had Melo coming on and off the court often in the first half. Fab Melo also did not score much of the first half going 0-4 from the field (unofficial tally by me).

Fab Melo had a relatively quiet night compared to his last two but I would still say that he's been very impressive.

Unable to get his game going with foul trouble in the first, Melo went off in the third quarter (around 58 minutes in for those of you interested). Fab Melo 8 of the 10 points to start the quarter and was a clear factor on the defensive end as the Skyforce were unable to score until around the 8 minute mark

The spark by Melo opened the floodgates as it enabled Maine to pour it in on all cylinders. At one point Maine led by 22 point (after leading by just 3 points at the half).

He ran the floor, connected on two jumpers and a hook shot, and made putbacks.

On defense he was tasked mainly with Whiteside and Pittman. I'd say Melo neutralized both bigs as most of the damage done by the two were when Melo was off the floor.

With much of the first half having only sporadic minutes, Fab Melo only really saw floor time in the second half. He continues to look good on rotations and improved on the offensive end. Questions of his motor and attitude are becoming less and less valid in my opinion.

The one knock for me personally tonight was the fact that he forced the issue a little bricking two jumpers badly in the first half. But the redemption was sweet and I think Melo just took another stride towards becoming an NBA rotation.

[cman88]

I hope that by seasons end he can be a rotation player for the C's and help us...I would fear giving him up in a trade. he could be a nice "deandre jordan" sort of player for us

I definitely see him helping us longer term though...manning the 5 when KG sits...heck he could be our starting center next yeaar

[AB_Celtic]

I hope that by seasons end he can be a rotation player for the C's and help us...I would fear giving him up in a trade. he could be a nice "deandre jordan" sort of player for us

I definitely see him helping us longer term though...manning the 5 when KG sits...heck he could be our starting center next yeaar

If Melo ends up being DeAndre Jordan I will be ecstatic. It's quite possible, too.

[SHAQATTACK]

That was an interesting game. Pittman who has conciderable more experience (HEAT was a good foe for Melo.

Fab's confidence is growing no doubt. He is getting under more control too.

Not bad against some good rookies.

I think I'm gonna be a Maine Red Claw fan and stop watching the Celtics....

it alot better on my nerves.  And they look good too...even without Joseph.

[j804]

That was an interesting game. Pittman who has conciderable more experience (HEAT was a good foe for Melo.

Fab's confidence is growing no doubt. He is getting under more control too.

Not bad against some good rookies.

I think I'm gonna be a Maine Red Claw fan and stop watching the Celtics....

it alot better on my nerves.  And they look good too...even without Joseph.

LOL

[cman88]

theres a nice article on csnne.com about melo's development.

they are working on his defensive rotations and his offensive game(he is implementing a baby-hook)

http://www.csnne.com/basketball-boston-celtics/celtics-talk/Melo-being-patient-working-on-game-with-?blockID=817983&feedID=3352

I like that they are being patient with Melo..they probably learned from the bradley experience where they have have halted him his rookie year by having him sit on the bench and thrown out for the occasional garbage time killing his confidence.

this way they are building melos confidence in maine before bringing him up to the NBA

[pearljammer10]

I hope that by seasons end he can be a rotation player for the C's and help us...I would fear giving him up in a trade. he could be a nice "deandre jordan" sort of player for us

I definitely see him helping us longer term though...manning the 5 when KG sits...heck he could be our starting center next yeaar

If Melo ends up being DeAndre Jordan I will be ecstatic. It's quite possible, too.

Even if that could be his ceiling it would be an enormous success/steal. Need some youthful energetic defense. Him and Bradley could be a nice young duo next to the rest of the starters.

[Kane3387]

A future core of Rondo, Bradley, Green, Sullinger, and Melo is looking better and better with these performances from Melo. 

[Celtics4ever]

Everyone knew he could block shots.   However the real area he needs works on is his RPG.   6.6 RPG is not stellar, still it is nice to see the improvement and a nice game here and there like 22nd.  He has had some good games lately but he has had some stinkers too, which is why he is in the DL to work on his game, develop some skills and get better.

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/fab_melo/career_stats.html

For crimminy's sake he had only 1 rebound the last game!

http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/fab_melo/game_by_game_stats.html

So it is not as rosy as some would have you believe here.   Some great games and some stinkers folks.

[AB_Celtic]

A future core of Rondo, Bradley, Green, Sullinger, and Melo is looking better and better with these performances from Melo. 

♫ Lottery team ♫

[hwangjini_1]

given that melo has played in so few games, it is hard to judge him by averages...but i will do so nonetheless. 

it seems that he started off rather clueless and his stats show this for the first 8 games. but in the last 3 games, he seemed to have learned to play a lot better. or maybe he simply had a stretch of terrible opponents.

in any case, for the past three games melo has averaged....

35.3 minutes
20.3 points
8.3 blocks   
10.3 rebounds
4 fouls

yeah, 3 games do not tell us much of anything about consistency, but it is a good sign. maybe he is learning a lot from being a red claw. i sure hope he stays consistent and expands on his offensive game as well as rebounding as defense.

to be honest, i thought he was a bad pick by ainge, but if melo keep this up he will prove that ainge is brilliant and i am merely a CB poster. 

[xmuscularghandix]

i sure hope he stays consistent and expands on his offensive game as well as rebounding as defense.

He said in his interview with Jessica Camerato that he's been working on his offensive game and crafting together a baby hook. That's really all I ask of for a 7 foot shot blocking center, finish dump off dunks, put backs, make layups, and when you need to get good position and go to the little baby hook. Although he has shown that he has somewhat of a 10-12 foot jumper (for dire situations).

[Celtics4ever]

His rebounding needs work but he is making progress.   We all want this kid to pan out.

[j804]

When is the Red Claws next game?

[ummidkme]

When is the Red Claws next game?

Today at 8 pm you can watch it before the Cs game for free at http://www.nba.com/dleague/maine/

All their games play on youtube.