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Video: Fab Melo wants to be the next Tim Duncan
Jan 11, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Syracuse Orange center Fab Melo (51) and Villanova Wildcats guard James Bell (32) reach for a rebound during the first half at the Wells Fargo Center. Syracuse defeated Villanova 79-66. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-US PRESSWIRE
You’re 21 years old. You’ve just finished two seasons at one of the most prestigious basketball programs in the country. You’re 7’0″ (with shoes) and you’re coming out for the NBA Draft. Who would you pattern your game after?
Syracuse center Fab Melo chose Tim Duncan.
Melo won’t be drafted nearly as high as Duncan, though. His likely draft range is between the 15th and 30th pick in the draft. While Melo isn’t nearly as polished as Duncan offensively — the general consensus is that Melo will be a bit of “project” — he certainly has the defensive wherewithal to match up with most interior defenders. Melo averaged 4.1 blocks per 36 minutes in his sophomore season, making up 13% of his teams blocks while he was on the floor.
It’s pretty unrealistic that Melo will be able to fufill his dream of being the next Tim Duncan. Regardless, the desire to pattern your game after one of the most fundamentally sound superstars ever isn’t such a bad place to start.