umynot wrote:

JohnWallace44 wrote:Give me a break. He's already been a local champion. He's played huge games in the Garden as a college player and as a pro.

What's not to like about the guy?

Its tough to get over Gallo and Wilson being gone, but maybe we can get Ill Wil back next year.

And Gallo for Mid Level year after?

And maybe Houston and Starks for the vet min.

You think Ewing will coach pro-Bono.

I think we can get doc rivers for the lle.

earthmansurfer wrote:Melo does come across as a bit of a low key thug. He isn't outright a bully but there is just something about his demeanor and character that doesn't feel right with me. Melo also doesn't seem to be the smartest cat, but perhaps now that he is on the Knicks with his buddy, he will start to study the game more and raise his BBIQ (really quite simple, just pass the ball and if you decide to shoot then don't hold it for 10 seconds first.) Even though Stat is the alpha male he is not at all like Melo. My hope is that Stat keeps Melo in line.

Carmelo reminds me of Dale Earnhardt. Respected by his peers as a dominant force but a threatening presence on the track. Get in his way and you might get hurt. His famous quote said it all "If you're not a race driver, stay the hell home."

The Intimidator.

earthmansurfer wrote:Melo does come across as a bit of a low key thug. He isn't outright a bully but there is just something about his demeanor and character that doesn't feel right with me. Melo also doesn't seem to be the smartest cat, but perhaps now that he is on the Knicks with his buddy, he will start to study the game more and raise his BBIQ (really quite simple, just pass the ball and if you decide to shoot then don't hold it for 10 seconds first.) Even though Stat is the alpha male he is not at all like Melo. My hope is that Stat keeps Melo in line.

Low Key thug? So did you have a problem rooting for Oakley, Mason, X-Man, Starks, Greg Anthony, and Harper? These guys were outright thugs and far less talented than Anthony.

Michael6835 wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:Melo does come across as a bit of a low key thug. He isn't outright a bully but there is just something about his demeanor and character that doesn't feel right with me. Melo also doesn't seem to be the smartest cat, but perhaps now that he is on the Knicks with his buddy, he will start to study the game more and raise his BBIQ (really quite simple, just pass the ball and if you decide to shoot then don't hold it for 10 seconds first.) Even though Stat is the alpha male he is not at all like Melo. My hope is that Stat keeps Melo in line.

What makes him come across as a low key thug? I'd be interested in knowing what those parameters are, as this is a stereo type always associated with the NBA. Is it the tattoos? or the high presence of Hip Hop in the game? Is it the money? Is it the race? or is it a combo of all?

earthmansurfer - "Melo does come across as a bit of a low key thug."

Is Chris "Birdman" Anderson considered a low key thug?

Michael6835 wrote:

earthmansurfer wrote:Melo does come across as a bit of a low key thug. He isn't outright a bully but there is just something about his demeanor and character that doesn't feel right with me. Melo also doesn't seem to be the smartest cat, but perhaps now that he is on the Knicks with his buddy, he will start to study the game more and raise his BBIQ (really quite simple, just pass the ball and if you decide to shoot then don't hold it for 10 seconds first.) Even though Stat is the alpha male he is not at all like Melo. My hope is that Stat keeps Melo in line.

What makes him come across as a low key thug? I'd be interested in knowing what those parameters are, as this is a stereo type always associated with the NBA. Is it the tattoos? or the high presence of Hip Hop in the game? Is it the money? Is it the race? or is it a combo of all?

When I look at Melo, I don't think low key thug. Since I follow the game, I look at Melo and see top flight talent who can score. Not coming down on you, as I've heard this from other people. However, since you posted it, I'll challenge you to define thug and see how it applies to other players in the nba as well as other sports.

Regarding low key thug - First, none of those things you mentioned crossed my mind. It's the looks or smirks he gives. Sort of like this lack of respect or "me first" attitude. It's a hard thing to put in a box the look I'm talking about. Call it an intuition if you will. But this being a forum mean we have to choose our words carefully. Perhaps my description is more apt than the word I used. Small note as you and others seem to be making this about appearance, race, etc. I grew up in Brooklyn and saw and experienced too much violence, hate and the like. I stuck up for (and to a point still do - albeit differently) people who were discriminated against.

Misterearl - I loved Mason, Oakley and all of those old school cats, but they all had respect out there for their teamates. I may be off on that one, but Melo didn't seem to be very liked by his teamates. There has been as much written.

You guys ever meet someone that you just had a bad feeling about? Wasn't due to their color, tatoos, walk, money, music listened to, etc. There was just something that didn't feel right. Well, all I got is a picture to go by and I get a bit of that feeling from Melo. I hope I'm wrong, I'm now going to root for the cat where as before I thought he was just a very very selfish player with incredible offense and no defense.

Charles Oakley was a b!tch of an enforcer when he played for the Bulls. We hated him. When he came to New York to get Patrick's back, he was beloved the first time he dove into the stands.

Perhaps Carmelo simply needs to have his Derek Jeter moment. That moment when he dives after a loose ball, into the second row, scattering celebrities and blue collar workers alike. He stays down for a few moments as the crowd holds its collective breath. Then he rises up to a thunderous ovation for his extra large effort.

To eVIL's point about boring, that one is a piece of cake. Don't hold the ball for more that three seconds standing still and...

Hit the open man.

I like Melo and I don't think it's his fault that we have a starphuching owner.

skeng - excellent point. Dolan is an inconvenient target. Forget the stats, Melo, as the new face of the franchise must compensate for the missing likability points:

(on the 1-10 scale)

Gallinari - 8.5, handsome, Italian and great hair.

Chandler - 6.5, quiet, shy and humble. The Romanian judge deducted a point for the summer pot bust.

Mozgov - 8, what's not to like? a gentle giant with soft eyes... dude was just getting over his jet lag. Earned a MSG chant.

Felton - 7.5, scrappy and cool grimaces.

Total Likability Points 30.5

Melo - 7.5 to 8, depending on your taste in tats, wardrobe and his old lady.

Point Differential -22.5 that Carmelo needs to compensate for. Even with Chauncey Billups scoring a perfect 10, you are still down 11.5 likability points.

Deep, huh?