mrKnickShot wrote:

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

KnicksFE wrote:

technomaster wrote:Dirk might not be the best comparison for Melo. He's one of those players that breaks the mould and transcends position. He's an odd Wing-Center thing, an anti-tweener. Versatile. His game is so different from normal convention that his coaching staff has always had to structure his supporting cast in strange and mysterious ways.

A strong comparison off the top of my head would be someone like Paul Pierce, a star and leading scorer on his team, but always outshone by a more athletic and more brilliant contemporary (Kobe).

From a sheer statistical perspective, I'd also compare Melo to Kevin Durant, though Durant seems to be outpacing Melo in awesomeness.

Alternatively, Basketball-Reference gives him some extremely interesting similar players, who I don't really see as all that similar...:
Shane Battier, John Havlicek, Jamal Wilkes, and Mehmet Okur.

But back on topic, the Linsanity lineup CAN win... but there are some obvious changes - we now have a functional Baron Davis, offensive-powerhouse JR Smith, Jorts, a semi-gimpy Anthony... and all we've lost is Bill Walker and JJ2.

I totally agree, Melo should no be compare to Dirk in any way, shape or form (Dirk was wayyyyy better). On the other hand Pierce and Melo is a much better comparison.

okay fine, let's compare Melo to another Hall of Famer instead

Well I think that Pierce is the type of player that Melo should look to emulate. He too had a shoddy rep until he won and became a better team player. Melo certainly has the talent that pierce has.

fair enough.

maybe I was unclear or was misinterpreted... don't know. The entire reason I brought Dirk up in the first place was because he was surrounded by role players and depth that complimented his skillset. Dirk has holes to his game but brings more to the table than he takes off. Dirk and Melo could not be more different as players but I think Melo's situation is a lot like Dirk's was and that turned out all right. That's all I was trying to say

Dirk and Melo are in very comparable situations, but Pierce is a better comparison to Melo. I do think Melo has more talent than Pierce but obviously has a lot to prove, just like Pierce did at his age.

Pierce slipped when he was drafted so he came into the league with a chip on his shoulder. Guys drafted ahead of him: Olowokandi, Bibby, Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Robert Traylor, Jason Wiliams, Larry Hughes, Dirk,

Melo not so much but he's never been talked about the way Lebron has, he hasn't won a trophy like DWade. Hopefully he's got that same chip.

Big difference:

Pierce stuck with the same team and endured some TERRIBLE seasons with Boston so he knew a good thing when he had it with KG and Ray Allen.

POWNED Lebron in the Cleveland series in some huge moments, ditto against Kobe.

Hope Melo's career arc follows the same path.

It would also help Melo if he ended up surrounded with the Likes of KG, Allen and Rondo.

Yes, it would help big time if Melo is surrounded by other demanding hall of famers or coach, but Melo also has to commit to his team from the start, it is very difficult to establish a championship contending team when your superstar say stuff like “I think in the last three games, my focus was to have an energy that I haven’t had so far this season”.
Remember championships are usually won in the offseason.

"Without a Shadow of A Doubt, I Sucked"

3-12 and nine turnovers won't get it

“I didn’t think I had the best game of my career," (Baron) Davis said. “It’s probably the worst game I’ve had since I’ve been here, since I’ve been playing. But it was good to get those type of minutes and to get out there and just extend myself."

And please stop throwing those ridiculous long distance, alley oop passes

Can There Be Linsanity Without Lin?

ChuckBuck wrote:Can it be the Linsanity Lineup without Linsanity? Lin's out tonight for Orlando again.

To be honest, the Linsanity Lineup depended upon contributions from the supporting cast.

Fields must produce enough offense to be a distraction.
Carmelo, not a charter member of the Linsanity Lineup, must be better than Bill Walker.
Jared Jeffries, a card carrying Linsanity member, is MIA. Josh Harrellson is the last 4ward standing. This is a problem.
Tyson Chandler, The Rock, is allowed to attempt a 12 foot jump shot every now and then, just to keep it real. 15 boards please.

If JR Smith can maintain his defensive intensity it is a bonus when his shot starts to fall.
Steve Novak needs someone to get him the damn ball.
Iman Shumpert slides back to lead guard as Baron Davis is aching and paining. 9 turnovers. Really?

mrKnickShot wrote:

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:

Knixkik wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

mrKnickShot wrote:

SupremeCommander wrote:

KnicksFE wrote:

technomaster wrote:Dirk might not be the best comparison for Melo. He's one of those players that breaks the mould and transcends position. He's an odd Wing-Center thing, an anti-tweener. Versatile. His game is so different from normal convention that his coaching staff has always had to structure his supporting cast in strange and mysterious ways.

A strong comparison off the top of my head would be someone like Paul Pierce, a star and leading scorer on his team, but always outshone by a more athletic and more brilliant contemporary (Kobe).

From a sheer statistical perspective, I'd also compare Melo to Kevin Durant, though Durant seems to be outpacing Melo in awesomeness.

Alternatively, Basketball-Reference gives him some extremely interesting similar players, who I don't really see as all that similar...:
Shane Battier, John Havlicek, Jamal Wilkes, and Mehmet Okur.

But back on topic, the Linsanity lineup CAN win... but there are some obvious changes - we now have a functional Baron Davis, offensive-powerhouse JR Smith, Jorts, a semi-gimpy Anthony... and all we've lost is Bill Walker and JJ2.

I totally agree, Melo should no be compare to Dirk in any way, shape or form (Dirk was wayyyyy better). On the other hand Pierce and Melo is a much better comparison.

okay fine, let's compare Melo to another Hall of Famer instead

Well I think that Pierce is the type of player that Melo should look to emulate. He too had a shoddy rep until he won and became a better team player. Melo certainly has the talent that pierce has.

fair enough.

maybe I was unclear or was misinterpreted... don't know. The entire reason I brought Dirk up in the first place was because he was surrounded by role players and depth that complimented his skillset. Dirk has holes to his game but brings more to the table than he takes off. Dirk and Melo could not be more different as players but I think Melo's situation is a lot like Dirk's was and that turned out all right. That's all I was trying to say

Dirk and Melo are in very comparable situations, but Pierce is a better comparison to Melo. I do think Melo has more talent than Pierce but obviously has a lot to prove, just like Pierce did at his age.

Pierce slipped when he was drafted so he came into the league with a chip on his shoulder. Guys drafted ahead of him: Olowokandi, Bibby, Raef LaFrentz, Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Robert Traylor, Jason Wiliams, Larry Hughes, Dirk,

Melo not so much but he's never been talked about the way Lebron has, he hasn't won a trophy like DWade. Hopefully he's got that same chip.

Big difference:

Pierce stuck with the same team and endured some TERRIBLE seasons with Boston so he knew a good thing when he had it with KG and Ray Allen.

POWNED Lebron in the Cleveland series in some huge moments, ditto against Kobe.

Hope Melo's career arc follows the same path.

It would also help Melo if he ended up surrounded with the Likes of KG, Allen and Rondo.

If you drink a few beers and squint...

Allen = Novak
KG = Amare..he's exactly like KG minus the crazy insanity/intensity and defense and making his teammates cry
Rondo = Lin minus the ridiculous Jason Kiddesque game complete with lack of J

They had one of the best pg rotations in the league with Lawson and Billups, one of the more productive shooting guards in affalo, quality depth in Smith, Anderson off the bench and good big men in Martin and Nene.

Perhaps Melo has always had the talent to win, Iverson, camby, etc and he is what he is now. A great closer and an isolation player that doesn't make people better or add to the win column.

Face it the guy isn't a superstar or the difference maker everyone thought he was...

MS wrote:What's interesting about the team on Denver is why Melo was in such a rush to leave it.

They had one of the best pg rotations in the league with Lawson and Billups, one of the more productive shooting guards in affalo, quality depth in Smith, Anderson off the bench and good big men in Martin and Nene.

Perhaps Melo has always had the talent to win, Iverson, camby, etc and he is what he is now. A great closer and an isolation player that doesn't make people better or add to the win column.

Face it the guy isn't a superstar or the difference maker everyone thought he was...

Say it ain't so MS!

I think Melo left because:

- he felt he had a decent team in Denver but not a championship level team and that teaming with Amare would allow them to create their own Big 3.

- Living in NY is the sh!t

- Sometimes you just need a change of pace

He's surprise me with his passing ability and his rebounding. Those haven't been pleasant surprises for you?

mrKnickShot wrote:

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:

MS wrote:What's interesting about the team on Denver is why Melo was in such a rush to leave it.

They had one of the best pg rotations in the league with Lawson and Billups, one of the more productive shooting guards in affalo, quality depth in Smith, Anderson off the bench and good big men in Martin and Nene.

Perhaps Melo has always had the talent to win, Iverson, camby, etc and he is what he is now. A great closer and an isolation player that doesn't make people better or add to the win column.

Face it the guy isn't a superstar or the difference maker everyone thought he was...

Say it ain't so MS!

I think Melo left because:

- he felt he had a decent team in Denver but not a championship level team and that teaming with Amare would allow them to create their own Big 3.

- Living in NY is the sh!t

- Sometimes you just need a change of pace

He's surprise me with his passing ability and his rebounding. Those haven't been pleasant surprises for you?

Those are nice surprises but I don't know if he has been hurt or what the deal is but his shooting has been very very off.

melo and shooting were never something i worried about.

defensive effort/concentration. willingness to pass. boxing out. shot selection were the main concerns and it looks like that is improving. at least tonight. i think this is the best and hardest i've ever seen him play.