We've all said it and I think Melo is showing it to be true - he was never really a guy who relied on his athleticism to score. He should be able to age somewhat gracefully as a player.

crzymdups wrote:He's definitely not quite the same player he once was, but he's still very good. And he's adding new wrinkles to his game.

We've all said it and I think Melo is showing it to be true - he was never really a guy who relied on his athleticism to score. He should be able to age somewhat gracefully as a player.

Yes.....But non basketball fans wouldn't understand this. You can't base everything on age. Rose for example, is breaking down early, and he's only 20 something. He's all explosiveness. He's the type of player that will retire early. Westbrook is another type....I know these types very well, because I'm in that same category. But I was a good shooter, which is why at 43 I can still kill almost anybody I face, eventhough I'm now inches below the rim (used to play above the rim).

But if Melo continues to play SF, I think that hurts his prime years. You have to use more first step /explosive moves to get by a quicker and agile SF. But against PF, Melo needs fewer hesitation moves during ISO's. And when they try to put a SF at the PF position, it reduces their team ability to rebound.

I wish KP was ready to play center......Then we can move Rolo to the 6th man role next season, and extend Melo's career a little longer at PF, so he can finish his contract strong, and not wear down his knees too fast. He's still killing now, because he's one of the greatest offensive threats in NBA history. But you can see he has problems against defensive SF's like Crowder and others.

jrodmc wrote:Yeah, thank god Melo's "adjusted" "well" while on the "decline". Otherwise, wtf would anyone have to beeyatch about?

Ummmmmmmmmm D.Fisher, K.Rambis, J.Calderon, Sasha, A.Afflalo, Gallo, J.Grant, Phil Jackson, J.Dolan..............................i think people on here can find other things to biatch about.

I remember Jordan aged into an amazing player and a champion. Young Jordan jumped through the roof, but Old Jordan would beat him overtime. Same with Melo. Physical Prime and Professional Prime are not necessarily the same thing. Ask Mayweather

ChuckBuck wrote:Check out "Prime" Melo jumping up and down and celebrating after Jose's game winner!

True leadership and inspiring body language after your teammate does something wonderful. You can't teach that enthusiasm!

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/709363451336982528

It's his last professional game against Kobe in a otherwise meaningless game since we aren't making the playoffs. What is he leading them to.

No one seemed ecstatic compared to when JR would hit those,

crzymdups wrote:

blkexec wrote:

crzymdups wrote:He's definitely not quite the same player he once was, but he's still very good. And he's adding new wrinkles to his game.

We've all said it and I think Melo is showing it to be true - he was never really a guy who relied on his athleticism to score. He should be able to age somewhat gracefully as a player.

Yes.....But non basketball fans wouldn't understand this. You can't base everything on age. Rose for example, is breaking down early, and he's only 20 something. He's all explosiveness. He's the type of player that will retire early. Westbrook is another type....I know these types very well, because I'm in that same category. But I was a good shooter, which is why at 43 I can still kill almost anybody I face, eventhough I'm now inches below the rim (used to play above the rim).

But if Melo continues to play SF, I think that hurts his prime years. You have to use more first step /explosive moves to get by a quicker and agile SF. But against PF, Melo needs fewer hesitation moves during ISO's. And when they try to put a SF at the PF position, it reduces their team ability to rebound.

I wish KP was ready to play center......Then we can move Rolo to the 6th man role next season, and extend Melo's career a little longer at PF, so he can finish his contract strong, and not wear down his knees too fast. He's still killing now, because he's one of the greatest offensive threats in NBA history. But you can see he has problems against defensive SF's like Crowder and others.

Totally agree. But one thing about moving Melo to PF - at this rate, I don't think teams would be afraid to still just matchup even smaller and keep a guy like Crowder on Melo at the 4. There are certain teams that don't have this type of player, but more and more teams seem to have that jack of all trades combo forward who is out there to defend and hit an occasional three from the corner.

Hopefully next season KP is stronger and a more reliable go-to option. And we have a reliable guard or two or three in the backcourt. That'll make things easier for Melo and allow him to extend his career.

+1
Imagine, an "adjusted" Melo "extending" his "career". Horrors for some on here!

I hope martin and Andrew have child proof locks on the windows.

GustavBahler wrote:

GetThePipe wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:Check out "Prime" Melo jumping up and down and celebrating after Jose's game winner!

True leadership and inspiring body language after your teammate does something wonderful. You can't teach that enthusiasm!

Tweet was deleted or there was problem with the URL:

https://twitter.com/Ballislife/status/709363451336982528

It's his last professional game against Kobe in a otherwise meaningless game since we aren't making the playoffs. What is he leading them to.

No one seemed ecstatic compared to when JR would hit those,

As said in the game thread, Calderon wasnt trying to show up Kobe in his last game against the Knicks by making a big deal which I thought was classy. You can find him celebrating in games earlier in tbe season.

I know Jose wasn't trying to show up Kobe, for all his glaring weaknesses and shortcomings, having no class isn't one of them.

Melo on the other hand....HE WAS INDEED SHOWING UP Calderon!

Hands your hips bitchy fit like you read about.

It's going to be a long long long three years!

Hopefully Phil's already got the extension and the triple platinum plated Never Trade You Clause all ready to go!