Coming into the season, with DeMarcus Cousins being the only bona fide star, it was clear that if the Kings were going to improve their 29-53 record from last season, someone else would have to step up in a big way.
While Darren Collison’s return from a season-ending injury was rousing and the addition of Rajon Rondo was taken with mixed emotions, it seemed like the best candidate to move the needle in Sacramento would be Ben McLemore.
Going into his third season, it is a time where many players either explode onto the seen, or settle into the purgatory of an NBA role-player.
After a fairly disappointing rookie campaign, McLemore made significant progress in his sophomore season and it set him up nicely for year three to be a breakout season.
2015 however, started with stagnate and passive play from the Kansas product. He rarely looked to shoot before fleetingly passing the ball to someone else’s hands. Early on, the shooting guard had failed to do just that – shoot.
Through the first 12 games, McLemore hadn’t shot more than eight attempts in a game. In fact, he only averaged 5.6 field goal attempts over that span. Through the first quarter of the season, he only made multiple 3-pointers in a game five times. (Basketball-Reference.com)
In just the fifth game of the season, McLemore was replaced by James Anderson as the Kings’ starting shooting guard. He would look on as Anderson scored 15 points on 4-of-10 from 3-point range in his place. (ESPN.com)
He would see his minutes drop to 16 minutes against the Warriors, 13 minutes against the Spurs, then hit rock-bottom at less than three minutes of playing time against the Pistons.
The third year player’s confidence was wilting.
Then the Rockets game happened.
In Houston, McLemore seemed to turn the page on his early season struggles. He scored a season-high 19 points while attempting a season-high 14 attempts from the field. (ESPN.com)
He had posted 15 points against the Nets and 17 against the Heat, but for McLemore, the turning point went beyond points alone. For McLemore, it was about confidence.
The development didn’t simply happen, it unraveled.
First Came His Effort…
Although he has struggled to contribute offensively, McLemore has continually exuded an immense amount of energy in other areas.
Below in the first segment, we can see McLemore providing physical on-ball defense against James Harden, then go over and deny entry to Clint Capela before sprinting to the other end of the court on offense.
The following segment, he gets switched onto Dwight Howard, but bodies up the big man before chasing down the long rebound.
In the final segment, he provides timely help-side defense and blocks the much-larger, Capela.
https://youtu.be/4UcZ_NGVu10
(Video Credit: NBA.com)
Then Came His Hesitation…
Though his intentions have been undoubtedly good, McLemore has struggled with his confidence on the offensive end. Early on in the season, he seemed hesitant and unsure what to do with the ball.
In the segment below, we see this bad habit trickle into the Houston game. McLemore shows great effort in getting down the court and it earns him an open look in the corner. However, the shooting guard hesitates, passes up the open look, and instead decides to drive into the teeth of the defense where his attempt fails to even strike the rim.
https://youtu.be/T4-_Z-1cibM
(Video Credit: NBA.com)
Then Came His Breakthrough…
Finally, McLemore experiences his breakthrough.
In the first segment, he once again finds himself with an open look. This time, he doesn’t hesitate, but launches a confident-looking shot. The next time down the court, McLemore utilizes his dribble and screen to get some space. There is room in front of him to drive to the rim. Unlike last time where he dribbled into traffic against a slew of shot-blockers, McLemore uses the space to get off an open and uncontested jumper.
Both shots find the bottom of the net. Notice his face during the replay as he claps his hands in relief. It seemed even there, it was the breakthrough moment he had been desperately looking for.
In the second segment, he once again shows great effort in following the fast break to the other end of the court. That effort is rewarded as he collects the offensive rebound and scores the bucket against three Houston defenders.
In the third segment, McLemore races the court on the fast break again and Rondo serves it up to him for a ferocious dunk.
In the final segment, he receives another look in the corner. Last time he hesitated but this time, he confidently swishes the 3-pointer.
https://youtu.be/7dlAwx4oJZQ
(Video Credit: NBA.com)
Is Ben McLemore now the player this team had hoped he’d become?
No, at least not yet.
Even after his breakthrough game in Houston to start the month, he is still only averaging 8.9 points per game since then.
However, since that moment, he’s had only three games in which he’s posted a negative +/- rating and has shot less than 50 percent only once. He is playing harder, playing smarter, and most importantly, playing more confidently than he was to start the season.
If McLemore continues to show progression and take the next step in becoming what Sacramento had hoped for, he has the potential to catapult the Kings into the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
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