HugeKnick4 wrote:What makes me so mad about guys like Melo is that he has God given abilities, but in my opinion doesn't become all that he can be.

HugeKnick4 - basketball ability is not God-given. Period. Basketball requires specific skills that take hours of preparation and practice, whether you were born in French Lick, Indiana or West Baltimore.

No matter who you are, excellence in pro sports requires hard work. There is no such thing as "God-Given."

I would also respectfully submit HugeKnick4, that Carmelo Anthony, who lost his father to cancer at 4 years old, has worked harder to overcome more personal obstacles than Jeremy Lin, who has had the benefit of a complete and supportive family environment that has been in his corner at every step of his journey.

Lin had his dad in the rafters videotaping games, while his mom worked the concession stands in high school.

You could look it up.

Carmelo isn't "all he can be"?

Dude is fortunate he was not a statistic on a police report.

misterearl wrote:If that was the case Todd Marinovich would own seven Super Bowl rings.

HugeKnick4 wrote:What makes me so mad about guys like Melo is that he has God given abilities, but in my opinion doesn't become all that he can be.

HugeKnick4 - basketball ability is not God-given. Period. Basketball requires specific skills that take hours of preparation and practice, whether you were born in French Lick, Indiana or West Baltimore.

No matter who you are, excellence in pro sports requires hard work. There is no such thing as "God-Given."

Yes...there is such a thing a "God given" ability. I could work my ass off...but I cannot become an NBA player, because I don't have "God given" ability to do so.

Don't take me so literally. Obviously, Melo has had to work to get to where he is today. But once he got to the NBA, I do not think he takes it to the next level as much as other Superstars. For example, he looks like he never lifted a weight in his life..and appears to be "soft" versus most NBA players. He gives up too easily when things aren't going his way on the O...and his body language when that happens it is all too obvious to the TEAM.

As far as Carmelo's life goes, it is a success story, but I want his stint with the Knicks to be another part of his success. Right now, I am struggling to see the light.

misterearl wrote:HugeKnick4 - how much "God Given" ability did Calvin Murphy or Spud Webb have?

I don't know about Calvin Murphy...he probably had as much as Lin. Spudd Webb...well anyone that is around 4'9" and can dunk has some "God Given" ability...unless you are going to convince me that taught himself how to have an 80 inch vertical. I can read between the lines at what you are getting at and you are way off base...please don't go there. For example, guys like Ewing and Dwight Howard had "God Given" height, but to me they constantly worked to get better at their game. Ewing was terrible on O coming out of college and Howard wasn't much better. Howard knows what a weight room looks like, and Ewing worked hard to make himself an O threat. To me, Melo seems to have just concentrated on one part of his game to the detriment of another. It is my opinion, I am entitled to it. Don't get so sensitive.

Please don't tell me anyone can become an NBA player if they apply themself. Your credibility would be shot.

HugeKnick4 wrote:Please don't tell me anyone can become an NBA player if they apply themself. Your credibility would be shot.

HugeKnick4 - This has absolutely nothing to do with credibility, this is an opinion.

Spud Webb worked hard. Just like Calvin Murphy and Larry Bird worked. God didn't 'give' them anything.

What "God Given ability" did Patrick Ewing have?

If God gave Joe Barry Carroll ability, how come God took it back?

misterearl wrote:The Answer Man Has God Given Credibility

HugeKnick4 wrote:Please don't tell me anyone can become an NBA player if they apply themself. Your credibility would be shot.

HugeKnick4 - This has absolutely nothing to do with credibility, this is an opinion.

Spud Webb worked hard. Just like Calvin Murphy and Larry Bird worked. God didn't 'give' them anything.

What "God Given ability" did Patrick Ewing have? Did Joe Barry Carroll have God Given (cough) ability?

Misterearl...did you read my post? Maybe it is the term "ability" that is given you so much pause. Ahem...IT IS AN EXPRESSION. How about "God Given Traits"? Patrick Ewing was over 7 feet. Yes, all NBA players have to work to get where they are. It is just that some with "God Given Traits" work harder than others ONCE they are NBA to improve on the things that don't come naturally to them. As I pointed out, Patrick Ewing was not born with skills on O. He learned them. My contention is that Melo seems content to rest on his past laurels and not better himself defensively and as a leader. I don't know how much more concise I can be. Wow....

AlexanderFuSheng wrote:

HugeKnick4 wrote:LOL! Yes Natural Ability is a better term. I was just quoting a common phrase. For the FuSheng...I haven't been to church since High School...and that was 30 years ago. I ain't a TEBOW type. LOL!

I didn't say anyone in this forum was a Tebow type.

I was making my point about 'GOD' and 'RELIGION'[ (organized).

Thanks G-d for MDA!!

I'll start...

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Well, they have been consistent: Play well the 1st quarter. Give back some of it in the 2nd. Play a pathetic 3rd to fall behind double digits and then make a silly run in the 4th.

We are consistent...