Can we all just agree that if we get the Olympic Melo surrounded by a team (Zingis, Rose, Noah, Lee & Jennings) that is lightyears ahead of the 2012 crew that won 54 & the Atlantic. That maybe the Orange & Blue faithful will be laughing at all the Haters(both here & in the media) that are prognosticating a 38-40 win season.

I got a good feeling about this year. I'm not sure if it's that I'm getting old and I just need a prostate exam... but this year just feels like it's going to be special. Rose said it in his press conference and I think the Brandon Jennings signing added some extra special juju to the mix.

EnySpree wrote:I got a good feeling about this year. I'm not sure if it's that I'm getting old and I just need a prostate exam... but this year just feels like it's going to be special. Rose said it in his press conference and I think the Brandon Jennings signing added some extra special juju to the mix.

I felt that playing this style in the Olympics could be great for Melo as it was before. It's just the perfect mode for him to be in. There's literally no reason he should change when it comes to the regular season. Get back to looking for those 3pt shots. When he's playing like that it makes him so much more dangerous. He can pump fake and drive or work off screens. It starts with those 3's tho. If Rose can drive and kick to Melo, KP and Lee this could be special.

mreinman wrote:this is where he shines and as long as he is hitting his shots, great. If he is not and his legs look tired like last year, it will be a long year.

He stroke does look pretty silky out there.

I think Melo's conditioning will be better than coming off a Knee Surgery. This is a likely bounce back year as i've been saying. The 2nd year after a surgery is when players usually get their leg strength back to 100%.

He's entering the next stage of his career... some players fight it. Don Nelson wanted to run the offense through Mason and take advantage of Ewings jumpshot to spread the floor for the younger players. Ewing refused to changed. It could have extended his career. Instead he got hurt and eventually got traded. Jordan was dominant. He dribbled alot. He was looking to score every time down. He lost. He changed his game and found the triangle. Trusted his teammates. Won 3 chips. After he came back from baseball he developed a devastating turn around jumper. Won 3 more.

Melo refused to change for 12 years. Last year he finally gave into change. The next evolution is maintaining what he's showing in USA basketball. If he can bring this to the Knicks... the Knicks will win. He's got to trust his teammates. Nobody can stop him from getting his.

Decisive catch and shoot take 1 or 2 dribbles Olympic Melo is the best version of Melo for our team. Even better than last year's 4 assist a game, but way inefficient Melo.

If he resorts to taking up 90% of the shot clock, jab step 8 times, then chuck contested shots again like most of his career again, then we'll be a mediocre laughingstock of a team once again.

Is he shooting less from mid range or are the videos just showing the 3s?

mreinman wrote:

Bonn1997 wrote:Is he shooting less from mid range or are the videos just showing the 3s?

much much less ... but olympic melo is not mr mid-range-melo, he did the same thing in the last olympics.

Well I'd rather him be out on the 3 point line. It looks like he isn't doing anything under the basket but I guess that's just his role. And maybe he doesn't want to risk injury too.

Melo shot 48% from 3 when uncontested. Think there is a reason JH wants him to run more? He just needs to get down fast enough to spot up. If Melo took 10 transition 3's a game next year that would be a good thing. Dude's a sniper.

fishmike wrote:Melo shot 48% from 3 when uncontested. Think there is a reason JH wants him to run more? He just needs to get down fast enough to spot up. If Melo took 10 transition 3's a game next year that would be a good thing. Dude's a sniper.

+1 (Wow!)

mreinman wrote:

fishmike wrote:Melo shot 48% from 3 when uncontested. Think there is a reason JH wants him to run more? He just needs to get down fast enough to spot up. If Melo took 10 transition 3's a game next year that would be a good thing. Dude's a sniper.

exactly! been saying this for years ... one of the best catch and shoot players in the league.

I'd be interested in his percentage when he takes multiple dribbles to create 3 point shots. The video showed them going in but I'm going to guess his percentage is a lot lower.