What's the betting on LaMelo not being in the top 10? Love to have a piece of that action.

"What is the "bad taste of the tape" it refers to? Something specific?"

In the context above, it seems they are suggesting that he'd benefit from working out in front of the scouts, rather than then just watch tape (which is all that exists right now).

I hardly remember him playing a game! Was all hype imo. Lamelo was able to take main control of a horrible team offense, it helped him pad.

I think the bad taste comes down to the Ball hype after his season and triple doubles etc. Hampton was rated higher, yet based on "the tape" underperformed by comparison. End of the day Hampton was what he was, a kid playing against men in a team of veterans with a more strict "director of coaching". If the roles were reversed and Hampton ends up at Hawks, where injuries lead him to take a bigger role and he's not deferring to better teammates, plus the coach basically telling a teenager "Here's the ball, do what you want, don't worry about shot selection and turnovers" then suddenly Hampton gets the hype.
Imo, Ball will get a few oohs and ahhs but as referred above, his shot selection and turnovers will find him wanting in NBA. Hampton on the other hand had to earn his minutes and practice against pro's (Glen Rice JR excepted). He did make bad choices at times but that was exactly what was expected by the team and his handlers. He will be way superior to Ball in all respects if he finds himself in right situation. If he falls imagine a Miami or Toronto guiding him. Spurs will be too high I imagine but if they're around the late lottery that would be another great spot.
I can just see the Knicks with 3rd pick taking Ball and absolutely turning it into an even bigger circus.

He looked a lot better than the kid that played for Adelaide a few seasons back and he went first round. He was very good till he got hurt and struggled after that but overall he did great.

What mock draft even has RJ in the twenties?

Maybe RJ just wasn't that good. Wasn't impressed by him from Day 1.

NBAdraft.net which is one of the more accurate mocks has him currently at 17 & he's consistently been on the slide.

Next stars is dead, it should be next stashed, players drafted and stashed in the nbl by nba clubs.

Ball @3. Never ever was going to be #1.

How is it a black eye? NBA teams want to see these kids come and compete against men. Seasoned professionals. If they fail here then so be it. But a year against men in some cases is better than a year against kids. T Ferguson for instance

Black eye in it that he was perceived as a top 5 pick, now he looks to fall out of 1st round. Would have hoped to solidify position here even with injuries. Now with g league offering ridiculous money we will end up with lesser players if any at all. Ball the only winner as well as Ferguson.

Ferguson was trash. He shouldve been cut and replaced with a decent contributing 3rd import. That lack of depth ended up costing the 6ers a title. But I digress.

Teams that purely watch the tape and dont get caught in the Hype will see ball's numbers for what they are.

RJ Hampton was a better team mate but also wasn't given cart blanche to do whatever he wanted to showcase his skills as NZ wanted to win games and not run glorify showcase open runs for there next star like what happened at the Hawks.

"Next stars is dead"

No one told Josh Giddey.

perhaps drop the "Stars" part of the program and Giddey fits right in

Ask 100 Americans, both fans and sportscasters who Josh Giddey is and not one would know. Last year everyone knows ball and most knew Hampton, noone gives a flying flip who Giddey is. He's not a next star, just a kid staying home like hundreds before him, Ingles etc.

"Next stars is dead, it should be next stashed, players drafted and stashed in the nbl by nba clubs."

The Didi Louzada rule