5-3 in games decided by 5 points or less. That is another reason why this team is turning in the right direction
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Iām actually a little torn as to whether Lamelo has earned/deserves the treatment he gets from officials. I donāt think there should be any such thing as superstar calls. A foul should be a foul, a travel should be a travel, etc. But if there is preference shown for star players, and we all know there is, Lamelo should get it. Heās been an all-star previously and almost certainly will be one this season, and heās clearly an elite talent and one of the most exciting players in the league. Yeah, he has a tendency to commit stupid fouls, and the blatant ones should be called. But thereās really not a good explanation for the number of touch fouls he gets called for compared to other stars. And when you factor in the contact he routinely gets on drives that isnāt called, it really is hard to understand.
Thereās nothing about him or his game thatās particularly offensive. Yeah, he complains a lot, but no more than any other other player and often does so with justifiable cause. Heās not an obnoxious flopper like Trae or Lowery. Heās not an instigator like Draymond or Grant, nor a cheap shot artist like Dillon Brooks. Heās generally a likable guy whoās a bit immature and goofy, but not malicious in any way. If he was any of those things, I would get the ābad repā label, but Iām just not totally sure where thatās coming from.
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I am not 100% sure that this is the answer but it does appear that he is very handsy, heās long and not particularly quick defensively. He is also always out front so it sticks out like a sore thumb that heās using his hands and not his feet.
Most of his fouls are him not moving his feet but using his hands.
When you only have six fouls if you burn two like that youāre instantly in foul trouble. He has to quit burning fouls.
A reputation doesnāt have to have a āgoodā or ābadā next to it to impact what one sees. If you see patterns of behavior (of any type) from a person, you tend to presuppose it. Thatās not just with hoops.
I have heard Dell mention at times that the referees will look at the direction the ball goes at times when they arenāt in position (x direction, itās a clean swipe, y direction, you can assume there was contact), thatās not very different. Itās imperfect but itās accurate enough.
If I was an opposing coach, Iād sure be drilling into my guys to accentuate any minimal contact proximate to Melo to try get cheap fouls on him knowing his tendency to reach.
agree with this 100%