[iguapops420Participant]

 I missed the game, but just went to check the boxscores for the night and saw that Fab Melo had 11pts on 5-10 fg, 9rbs, and 4 blks in something like 26 minutes. Now it’s definitely too soon to say he’s here, but it definitely looks like he’s coming around and made good strides. I personally thought last year that his lack of conditioning and early season achilles injury played a major part in his less than impressive freshman year.Fab actually happens to be one of my favorite big man prospects around. Thoughts? Opinions. I’d definitely like to hear how he actually looked from someone who saw the game.

[ultrablue123Participant]

 He’s more active, more mobile, and generally, as you said, is in much better condition.  It’s giving him more confidence which is great.  Apparently during some of the exhibition games he was hitting jumpers too, and if he has added that to his game that’s also really great for him and SU (I have yet to see it yet though in the 2 games I’ve watched so far).  He’s not making anymore stupid fouls (for the most part) but he still did make a few dumb plays (throwing the ball from under the opponets basket after a rebound to halfcourt resulting in a steal) but in general he’s playing smarter.  I did notice that he seems to be having trouble doing a lot with the ball when he gets it down low, probably because the opposing teams defense seems to swarm him when he gets it down low, but it mostly resulted in fouls which is good.  I’d like to see some more post moves though, because I know he is capable of that, and the few that I did see were impressive.  The first game he was setting a lot of picks, and he had one sweet bucket on his roll to the basket, so that’s just another aspect of him being a lot more quick on his feet.

All in all, he is a LOT better than last year, but he doesn’t half to be a go to guy as Syracuse has so many options on offense.  However, him being a low post threat definietely helps their chances.

[MkadozaParticipant]

He has extremely raw post footwork, brings the ball down way too much after rebounds, reducing his effective height tremendously, instead of catching and holding the ball above his head, which would keep smaller defenders from swatting at his arms. He doesnt seem to like physical defense which lead to some silly retaliatory fouls of trying to clear space. He also doesnt have the softest of hands, evidenced by his flailing for rebounds, and missing a fairly easy alley oops. Most of the time, he seems like he rushing, and if he could slow down the game…

However, there are very few players with his combination of length, quickness, and athleticism. He seems like he’s are 245-250 weight wise with an undefined body. He could clearly gain another 10-15 pounds of muscle without harming his mobility. A good, quick leaper, with decent defensive timing, if he get position, he’s very hard to stop. As a ball handler, he can improve, and slowing down would significantly improve his feel. 

All in all, he a physically imposing player, who needs to work on his mental game, focusing under pressure, and post play, with comparisons to Tyson Chandler, Robin Lopez or a less explosive Javale McGee, as my favorite upside comparisons..

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

Your way off on Fab Melo’s scouting. The guy is slow footed and just an average athlete at best maybe even below average (comparing him to Chandler, McGee, Robin Lopez is way off). And he is not 245lbs, he hasn’t weight that low in years, he was 260lbs when he graduated high school, which is why he was getting the Andrew Bynum comparison coming out of HS, but failed to live up to the hype last season.

[JNixonParticipant]

Yeah he’s not that kind of athlete Mkadoza. He’s more alot the lines of a Brendan Haywood than he is JaVale McGee, Robin Lopez or Tyson Chandler. He’s not nearly the kind of athlete those guys are. It takes Melo far too long to get in and out of his moves for him to ever be more than a 5th option scorer, but he does have upside as a rebounding and defensive presence, especially if he learns how to move his feet and play in and out of the lane. That will be key because there is a 3 second rule in the NBA that there isn’t in the college ranks. Melo still has a long ways to go though.

[JoeWolf1]

 Manhattan’s center was listed at 6’6” 215 lbs.

[MkadozaParticipant]

 I disagree. The player I say yesterday was svelt with little muscle definition, quick feet with plenty of bounce with poor footwork, and poor fundementals. He ran the floor extremely well, and if you havent seen Cuse this year, you’ll be in for a surprise. He’s lost a ton of weight, at least 30 pounds, and is far from lumbering. He’s shed a ton of body fat showing a better motor and condiditioning, so far. He also looks more confident in his body and ability to leap with anyone. Again this is based on what I say yesterday against Manhattan, where while he would grab a good board, fumbled with it and turned it over because of his propensity to bring the ball down when he rebounds. 

[j1232eParticipant]

will prolly turn out beter than Fab Melo.  I hope I’m wrong but Hofa was destroying the competition at this point of his career.  I know the Big East is a more powerful conference.  But watching Fab I get a very disturbing image of Hofa.

[iguapops420Participant]

 Yeah, Mcgee,Chandler,and Lopez don’t really come to mind when I’m thinking about Fab. Haywood is the player Fabricio reminded me of the most when I saw him play in high school, but I do think he has gotten a little quicker due to his shedding weight in the offseason(not sure I believe 30lbs). Haywood had a better postgame though IMO. Heres to hoping for some consistent improvement for ab throughout the season.

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