I just want Ben McLemore to be a solid bench contributor in the NBA. Is that so much to ask? The stardom that many had hoped for is not going to happen unless cybernetics are involved. But solid role-player solidity is still within reach. He has the tools: a smooth jumper and soaring springiness.
I think that being away from the Kings organization, that place where so many expectations were, will be good for him. The Grizzlies picked him up on a whim, and there is little expected of him. They don’t need him to be good to justify their invested draft selection. They just want him to play as well as he can, if it works out, great, if not, well, it was worth a shot.
He’s getting his chance right now. RIGHT NOW. This is his second start in a row and guess what? Double figures in both games. That’s not much, but it’s a lot more than nothing, which wouldn’t have been a surprise considering his history. He scored 14 points in only 20 minutes tonight. That’s a start.