fishmike wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:Melo did his part for the most part this season, he definitely needs a reliable 2nd option.Can't count on Amare to stay healthy, can't count on JR to come through when it matters.

Disappointing the way this may end, barring a miracle. With some tinkering and/or trades there's no reason why we can't be in a good position to advance next season.

Glenn Grunwald, vets are fine, but let's get them way under 40 this time please!!!

this is where I believe the Melo fans are just wrong. He doesnt need a 2nd option. He needs to BE the 2nd option. If you want to win playoff games you build around a high % scorer first. Not a guy who gives you 41% over nine years. It just doesnt work. If you want to kid yourselves enjoy. NBA basketball doesnt work like that. Its been 10 years. Maybe after 20 or 50 or 100 folks will realize.

You know Melo's best year shooting the ball? The ONLY year he DIDNT take the most shots on his team. Yup. Go look it up. The year Iverson led Denver in scoring Melo put up 25ppg on almost 50% (.491)

If we were getting that from Melo we would be looking to finish the Pacers off tomorrow, not fight for our lives. But folks dont want to accept that reality.

Melo's a great player, but he's not a #1. Build your team around 41% in the playoffs and your winning % is gonna match that. Ill keep saying it until its not true. I know folks hear really enjoy reading it over and over again.

(1) I still believe Amar'e and Melo would have achieved what you and Uptown are talking about and (2) too bad we can't amnesty Amare's contract

Uptown wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:A big time PG and Melo wouldn't work together, just as it wouldn't for MJ and Kobe. Melo needs a post up big for defenses to collapse on and he needs shooters. The last time we had GREAT pg play was when we had Linsanity. That was when Melo was hurt and/or playing like garbage. Then when Melo magically took over, Lin was hurt.

A great PG and Melo won't mix. I would rather trade Melo for Paul!

Disagree...Melo had one of his best seasons playing alongside Billups. Melo is very good at coming off curls and/or spotting up for midrange jumpers off of feeds which we saw him do with Billups in '09. He's a terrific catch and shoot player if he's utilized that way. A pg like Paul would be excellent alongside Melo....

We have two more years of Amare's deal. Maybe Walsh will come back so we can rebuild again. Unless you think Melo is the guy to build a contender around. If only we had that Olympic squad when he was so great and trusting his teammates.

This sucks, and its not just Melo. This mix is what you see. We are a top 4 team in the weaker conference that is the East. We are a good team. We are the better then the mediocre middle of the road teams in the NBA and a clearl notch below the really good or elite ones.

DurzoBlint wrote:

fishmike wrote:

Uptown wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:A big time PG and Melo wouldn't work together, just as it wouldn't for MJ and Kobe. Melo needs a post up big for defenses to collapse on and he needs shooters. The last time we had GREAT pg play was when we had Linsanity. That was when Melo was hurt and/or playing like garbage. Then when Melo magically took over, Lin was hurt.

A great PG and Melo won't mix. I would rather trade Melo for Paul!

Disagree...Melo had one of his best seasons playing alongside Billups. Melo is very good at coming off curls and/or spotting up for midrange jumpers off of feeds which we saw him do with Billups in '09. He's a terrific catch and shoot player if he's utilized that way. A pg like Paul would be excellent alongside Melo....

thats what I said!!!!! Add shooters like Hardon and Durant and a rebounder like Kevin Love and bingo! Our MElo-led team is ready to compete.

We have two more years of Amare's deal. Maybe Walsh will come back so we can rebuild again. Unless you think Melo is the guy to build a contender around. If only we had that Olympic squad when he was so great and trusting his teammates.

This sucks, and its not just Melo. This mix is what you see. We are a top 4 team in the weaker conference that is the East. We are a good team. We are the better then the mediocre middle of the road teams in the NBA and a clearl notch below the really good or elite ones.

which is why I said that teams would still trade for Melo. They would look at our supporting cast and say Melo had little chance of succeeding or that he was misused. No 2nd Allstar to play next to (tyson does not have allstar skills) allows teams to gameplan just for him.

Yeah his shooters failed him, so it forced more double teams and him taking tougher shots. Shooting percents will suffer. We need to get him more consistent shooters/scorers that is for sure.

Allanfan20 wrote:A big time PG and Melo wouldn't work together, just as it wouldn't for MJ and Kobe. Melo needs a post up big for defenses to collapse on and he needs shooters. The last time we had GREAT pg play was when we had Linsanity. That was when Melo was hurt and/or playing like garbage. Then when Melo magically took over, Lin was hurt.

A great PG and Melo won't mix. I would rather trade Melo for Paul!

the trouble is melo as the main guy has a game that doesn't match with anyones and that's because he is incapable of making others better.

when he is third fiddle on the olympic team he thrives.

fishmike wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:

fishmike wrote:

ChuckBuck wrote:Melo did his part for the most part this season, he definitely needs a reliable 2nd option.Can't count on Amare to stay healthy, can't count on JR to come through when it matters.

Disappointing the way this may end, barring a miracle. With some tinkering and/or trades there's no reason why we can't be in a good position to advance next season.

Glenn Grunwald, vets are fine, but let's get them way under 40 this time please!!!

this is where I believe the Melo fans are just wrong. He doesnt need a 2nd option. He needs to BE the 2nd option. If you want to win playoff games you build around a high % scorer first. Not a guy who gives you 41% over nine years. It just doesnt work. If you want to kid yourselves enjoy. NBA basketball doesnt work like that. Its been 10 years. Maybe after 20 or 50 or 100 folks will realize.

You know Melo's best year shooting the ball? The ONLY year he DIDNT take the most shots on his team. Yup. Go look it up. The year Iverson led Denver in scoring Melo put up 25ppg on almost 50% (.491)

If we were getting that from Melo we would be looking to finish the Pacers off tomorrow, not fight for our lives. But folks dont want to accept that reality.

Melo's a great player, but he's not a #1. Build your team around 41% in the playoffs and your winning % is gonna match that. Ill keep saying it until its not true. I know folks hear really enjoy reading it over and over again.

I respectfully disagree.

Melo's best year was in 2009 when Chauncey Billups was the unquestioned leader on a Nuggets team that advanced to the WCF. Iverson was there that year too, but Melo was still the leading scorer.

Chuck... your right. I was talking best year shooting the basketball. The one time in his career Melo didnt take the most shots on his team was also his best year shooting the ball. Overall performance your 100%, those results speak for themselves, but you kind of solidify my point. Melo's best shooting year? When Iverson was the #1 option. Melo's best year of baskball? When he team had another leader.

You can turn it into a negative or some kind of dig, which Im sure his fanboys around here will do and brush this off, but if you honestly want to build a team and a contender and your being honest about the players your bringing in and their roles, Melo has never succeeded as a teams #1 and expecting him to lead is the fault of management and not Melo. To be fair they brought in some guys they probably hoped would be his Billups like Kidd etc, but he just ran out of tread on the tires.

no it's definitely melo's fault because he is already a legend in his own mind.

none of this dog and pony show of the last 3 years had to happen. only a feckless lowlife like dolan could have enabled this situation, ie melo's tin-plated superstardom.

dk7th wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:A big time PG and Melo wouldn't work together, just as it wouldn't for MJ and Kobe. Melo needs a post up big for defenses to collapse on and he needs shooters. The last time we had GREAT pg play was when we had Linsanity. That was when Melo was hurt and/or playing like garbage. Then when Melo magically took over, Lin was hurt.

A great PG and Melo won't mix. I would rather trade Melo for Paul!

the trouble is melo as the main guy has a game that doesn't match with anyones and that's because he is incapable of making others better.

when he is third fiddle on the olympic team he thrives.

Denver Nuggets with old Billups disagrees.

Knixkik wrote:I will make this short. Thank you for a fantastic run this season. Thank you for an MVP caliber season that led us to a 53-win season, division title, and a playoff series win. I'm sorry many Knicks fans don't appreciate you but don't worry it was the same with Ewing. I don't blame you for wanting to get your money back before the lockout. I would have done the same. I also know that if you could go back, you would have not opted-in so you could have become a free agent with lebron and wade and just signed with us outright in 2010. Thanks for a season that has exceeded most expectations. While I'm not satisfied, I'm happy in the fact that we are a relevant franchise again and having more success each season. Before you came we were viewed around the league as a joke. Whether you lead us to a title or not, it's been a great season and I'm looking forward to many more 50 plus win seasons, division titles, and playoff runs. Thanks.

Six Outspoken Statements Made This Year Which Set The Tone For How This Season Would Go And End

#1

"I believe that my time is coming," Anthony said Tuesday morning at Madame Tussauds New York during an unveiling of his own wax figure. "I'm a big believer in that, whether it's this year or next year. I truly believe that my time is coming and we're going to keep playing for that."

#2

"I don't want to try to put all that burden on myself to go out there and try to do everything, so I'm willing to make any sacrifice in my game regardless of what anybody else says," he told ESPNNewYork.com on Friday. "If my scoring goes from 27 to 23, I'm cool with that. Right now, I'm willing to make any sacrifice that I have to."

#3

"This is my 10th year," Anthony said. "I think everybody pretty much knows I can score the basketball. But for me, I’m done trying to score 30, 35, 40 points for us to win a basketball game. I don’t want that role anymore. It’s what I do best. But in order for this team to be successful with the guys that we have we need a more well-rounded team."

"When I say scoring less, I don’t want to say I’m not going to score the basketball. I can never stop doing that. That’s what I do best," Anthony said. "We definitely need that. It’s just a matter of being more consistent on the basketball, picking my spots, kind of getting everybody else going. ...(But) I’m not saying I’m not going to score the basketball. Don’t take it out of context."

#4

"It's not up to me," Anthony said with a laugh. "It's up to the organization to say they want to match that ridiculous contract that's out there."

#5

"Without a doubt," Smith told the website. "I think some guys take it personal, because they've been doing it longer and haven't received any reward for it yet. I think it's a tough subject to touch on for a lot of guys."

#6

"Absolutely," he said. "It's just how deep of a team we are and how many weapons. It feels kind of similar to when I was back in Denver making that run. How we were playing, how we came together at the right time of the season. The time is now."

When all these statements were made I said okay I'm not falling for the Oky Doke here...we have 2 guys who ultimately will try their best to conform but in the end play for themselves. Could it produce some positive results sure as I thought at best the team could win 48gms and they surpassed that but I still saw the selfish mentality in them and knew when it came down to when it really matters their faults would surface as they usually do and have throughout their career. It's why Smith is deemed an Enigma and Melo an Underachiever.

As far as needing help to get past the second round well it makes Melo no different than any other player in this league who needs help getting past the second round all the way to a chip. Primarily the team we had before we acquired Melo. Melo was supposed to be that guy he got us places no one else could.

Maybe he'll do it when he's in the safe confines of the Garden tomorrow night.

3G4G wrote:

Knixkik wrote:I will make this short. Thank you for a fantastic run this season. Thank you for an MVP caliber season that led us to a 53-win season, division title, and a playoff series win. I'm sorry many Knicks fans don't appreciate you but don't worry it was the same with Ewing. I don't blame you for wanting to get your money back before the lockout. I would have done the same. I also know that if you could go back, you would have not opted-in so you could have become a free agent with lebron and wade and just signed with us outright in 2010. Thanks for a season that has exceeded most expectations. While I'm not satisfied, I'm happy in the fact that we are a relevant franchise again and having more success each season. Before you came we were viewed around the league as a joke. Whether you lead us to a title or not, it's been a great season and I'm looking forward to many more 50 plus win seasons, division titles, and playoff runs. Thanks.

Six Outspoken Statements Made This Year Which Set The Tone For How This Season Would Go And End

#1

"I believe that my time is coming," Anthony said Tuesday morning at Madame Tussauds New York during an unveiling of his own wax figure. "I'm a big believer in that, whether it's this year or next year. I truly believe that my time is coming and we're going to keep playing for that."

#2

"I don't want to try to put all that burden on myself to go out there and try to do everything, so I'm willing to make any sacrifice in my game regardless of what anybody else says," he told ESPNNewYork.com on Friday. "If my scoring goes from 27 to 23, I'm cool with that. Right now, I'm willing to make any sacrifice that I have to."

#3

"This is my 10th year," Anthony said. "I think everybody pretty much knows I can score the basketball. But for me, I’m done trying to score 30, 35, 40 points for us to win a basketball game. I don’t want that role anymore. It’s what I do best. But in order for this team to be successful with the guys that we have we need a more well-rounded team."

"When I say scoring less, I don’t want to say I’m not going to score the basketball. I can never stop doing that. That’s what I do best," Anthony said. "We definitely need that. It’s just a matter of being more consistent on the basketball, picking my spots, kind of getting everybody else going. ...(But) I’m not saying I’m not going to score the basketball. Don’t take it out of context."

#4

"It's not up to me," Anthony said with a laugh. "It's up to the organization to say they want to match that ridiculous contract that's out there."

#5

"Without a doubt," Smith told the website. "I think some guys take it personal, because they've been doing it longer and haven't received any reward for it yet. I think it's a tough subject to touch on for a lot of guys."

#6

"Absolutely," he said. "It's just how deep of a team we are and how many weapons. It feels kind of similar to when I was back in Denver making that run. How we were playing, how we came together at the right time of the season. The time is now."

When all these statements were made I said okay I'm not falling for the Oky Doke here...we have 2 guys who ultimately will try their best to conform but in the end play for themselves. Could it produce some positive results sure as I thought at best the team could win 48gms and they surpassed that but I still saw the selfish mentality in them and knew when it came down to when it really matters their faults would surface as they usually do and have throughout their career. It's why Smith is deemed an Enigma and Melo an Underachiever.

As far as needing help to get past the second round well it makes Melo no different than any other player in this league who needs help getting past the second round all the way to a chip. Primarily the team we had before we acquired Melo. Melo was supposed to be that guy he got us places no one else could.

Melo & Amare were supposed to be the GUYS (PLURAL) that got us to places no one else could. Unfortunately, (as many, many here said) he was a terrible investment that only produced in his 1st year (pre playoffs). Don't get me wrong, I have many, many issues with Melo's game but, this wasn't supposed to be on his shoulder alone. He was supposed to have a 2nd Big Dog to run with.

Note: Tyson Chandler has to be one of the least talented, least skilled all star I have ever witnessed. A travesty to the allstar game imo

My problem is this. We completely revamped the core of our team in order to acquire Melo. When we could have signed him or someone else as a free agent. Every move for the last two seasons was made with him in mind. We most likely consulted him beforehand as well. Now as putrid as chandler and smith and Kidd and woody have been I can't be angry at him for not winning this on his own. Indiana is too good for that

That being said. With everything I outlined above. I fully expect him to have a larger impact than Roy Hibbert

AnubisADL wrote:

efw wrote:I think it's safe to say that Melo is a great HOF player. But he's not a superstar. He needed to pour in 40pts last night and lead the team to a victory. Asking too much? Maybe, but that's what the team needed. Kobe would have. James would have. Messier would have. Heck, even Eli probably would step up.

Maybe he'll do it when he's in the safe confines of the Garden tomorrow night.

Kobe? The same Kobe who went nowhere with Gasol and/or Bynum?

Winning the NBA championship is going nowhere?

Is this an existential question?