C Chandler
PF Anthony
SF Ariza or Wright, etc.
SG Shumpert
PG Lin

This lineup would have better balance and a nice mix of offensive and defensive firepower. It is probably admitting defeat with the original makeup of the team, but something like this would be a matchup nightmare for most teams. We have no problem defending big teams because Anthony defends the PF better than Stoudemire, and in addition, who is going to guard Anthony? Anthony has the ability of being that NBA-leading scorer/MVP candidate being surrounded by good, talented role players such as this. It is also a very similar makeup to the Dallas championship team.

yellowboy90 wrote:This is just weird. Carmelo is a problem and lacks the ability to properly defend his habits of being a player that someone can defend when they are try to cite the facts that he plays at a level that is rarely defensible by those who contend that as a player he is not the type a player that should be held up at a level where fans of his can properly point out sufficient reasons of him being able to do what other people may think what a player they think is rated at should play. So they point to the fact that Melo is a player that they would not root for because he is not the player that they think is...

+1?

As for Melo this is right now the best Melo of his career. He's not only scoring like a stud, but he's learned how to defend at a higher level than he's ever played at before. He's in better overall shape as well. He couldn't have defended this hard and still scored like he is in the past. Now Melo is able to do both. My guess is that STAT will look to fill in when Melo is out and he'll be successful doing that.

nixluva wrote:STAT usually shows up in the post season. I really wouldn't worry too much about him. He just need to tighten up his D. We should just be glad that he's able to play at this point. We will need STAT at some point in the playoffs so don't get too crazy thinking he isn't a net positive for this team. Just him being able to get on the floor will cause defenses to have to worry about him and that will open up other guys. It seems to me that Woody is gonna make sure to find plenty of time where STAT, Tyson and Melo aren't on the floor at the same time. That's no different than the Heat have been doing with Wade and Lebron. STAT has played most of his career at the 5 with a bunch of smaller guys around him. He has been successful playing that way so long as he doesn't have to bang with a big Center. That won't be a problem with the Heat.

As for Melo this is right now the best Melo of his career. He's not only scoring like a stud, but he's learned how to defend at a higher level than he's ever played at before. He's in better overall shape as well. He couldn't have defended this hard and still scored like he is in the past. Now Melo is able to do both. My guess is that STAT will look to fill in when Melo is out and he'll be successful doing that.

I want to believe/agree with this, but it all depends on Stats health. Nobody is questioning his ability or heart, he just hasn't been healthy this season. He wasn't in the post season last year either. Hopefully he can contribute more this year because we will be playing a much better team in the first round (Miami or Chicago or much better teams than the Celtics of last season).

nixluva wrote:STAT usually shows up in the post season. I really wouldn't worry too much about him. He just need to tighten up his D. We should just be glad that he's able to play at this point. We will need STAT at some point in the playoffs so don't get too crazy thinking he isn't a net positive for this team. Just him being able to get on the floor will cause defenses to have to worry about him and that will open up other guys. It seems to me that Woody is gonna make sure to find plenty of time where STAT, Tyson and Melo aren't on the floor at the same time. That's no different than the Heat have been doing with Wade and Lebron. STAT has played most of his career at the 5 with a bunch of smaller guys around him. He has been successful playing that way so long as he doesn't have to bang with a big Center. That won't be a problem with the Heat.

As for Melo this is right now the best Melo of his career. He's not only scoring like a stud, but he's learned how to defend at a higher level than he's ever played at before. He's in better overall shape as well. He couldn't have defended this hard and still scored like he is in the past. Now Melo is able to do both. My guess is that STAT will look to fill in when Melo is out and he'll be successful doing that.

This is not exactly true. He has defended at all-star level and scored well in the playoffs. Like ususally during his career he ups it in the second half and in the playoffs.

Regarding Amar'e I think the playoff system will be good for him because he will have time to rest but also will play quickly so his back will stay loose. I think long periods of not playing will hurt his productivity. JMHO