Splat wrote:Is anyone else encouraged by the evident willingness of Melo to play along so far?

He is not pounding the ball and playing ISO overall. Most of his points have required him to have the ball only seconds before shooting.

The rap before was Melo did not have support, thus he shouldered the load and would dominate the ball.

If this is a new chapter for Melo, it is a good sign. He has to trust the whole shebang, coach, system, teammates, to make this work. Points have to come out of how we play and sometimes who is hot, but not by riding one horse the same way each game.

When we add a big or 2 that can really pass the rock, it will make the game even easier for him.

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:Is anyone else encouraged by the evident willingness of Melo to play along so far?

He is not pounding the ball and playing ISO overall. Most of his points have required him to have the ball only seconds before shooting.

The rap before was Melo did not have support, thus he shouldered the load and would dominate the ball.

If this is a new chapter for Melo, it is a good sign. He has to trust the whole shebang, coach, system, teammates, to make this work. Points have to come out of how we play and sometimes who is hot, but not by riding one horse the same way each game.

When we add a big or 2 that can really pass the rock, it will make the game even easier for him.

Though Marc Gasol would be great, hasn't Sam shown at least enough to make you feel we've improved our frontline passing?

And Jason showed a very quick and light touch with the ball tonight. He literally looks like a touch passer who can move the ball instantly which I found exciting since we have not had that for a long time.

So even if there were a better option in the future, perhaps we already have some bigs who can play correctly and pass the rock. We had some sequences tonight that made me sit up and take notice.

Splat wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:Is anyone else encouraged by the evident willingness of Melo to play along so far?

He is not pounding the ball and playing ISO overall. Most of his points have required him to have the ball only seconds before shooting.

The rap before was Melo did not have support, thus he shouldered the load and would dominate the ball.

If this is a new chapter for Melo, it is a good sign. He has to trust the whole shebang, coach, system, teammates, to make this work. Points have to come out of how we play and sometimes who is hot, but not by riding one horse the same way each game.

When we add a big or 2 that can really pass the rock, it will make the game even easier for him.

Though Marc Gasol would be great, hasn't Sam shown at least enough to make you feel we've improved our frontline passing?

And Jason showed a very quick and light touch with the ball tonight. He literally looks like a touch passer who can move the ball instantly which I found exciting since we have not had that for a long time.

So even if there were a better option in the future, perhaps we already have some bigs who can play correctly and pass the rock. We had some sequences tonight that made me sit up and take notice.

They have exceeded expectations in this department and hope they continue to improve as they get comfortable. You add another big which passing is a staple of his game and it would become even more contagious.

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:

newyorknewyork wrote:

Splat wrote:Is anyone else encouraged by the evident willingness of Melo to play along so far?

He is not pounding the ball and playing ISO overall. Most of his points have required him to have the ball only seconds before shooting.

The rap before was Melo did not have support, thus he shouldered the load and would dominate the ball.

If this is a new chapter for Melo, it is a good sign. He has to trust the whole shebang, coach, system, teammates, to make this work. Points have to come out of how we play and sometimes who is hot, but not by riding one horse the same way each game.

When we add a big or 2 that can really pass the rock, it will make the game even easier for him.

Though Marc Gasol would be great, hasn't Sam shown at least enough to make you feel we've improved our frontline passing?

And Jason showed a very quick and light touch with the ball tonight. He literally looks like a touch passer who can move the ball instantly which I found exciting since we have not had that for a long time.

So even if there were a better option in the future, perhaps we already have some bigs who can play correctly and pass the rock. We had some sequences tonight that made me sit up and take notice.

They have exceeded expectations in this department and hope they continue to improve as they get comfortable. You add another big which passing is a staple of his game and it would become even more contagious.

OK, just asking. Though I just started posting, I consider myself an optimist when causes justify the sentiment. And I see numerous things across the board already that I can readily say are better than before. The passing game will be much better to watch this year. It will make the patience justifiable.

Splat wrote:

Vmart wrote:I don't see Melo playing along. I see the same Melo as last year.

How so?

I think playing in Syracuse made him look a little to selfish. I felt he jacked up some ill advised shots. Other than that he was catching the ball in similar post ups as last year. I didn't see him moving without the ball all that much. What I see is others moving and Melo standing in the post. I saw Amare move more than Melo.

Splat wrote:

Vmart wrote:

Splat wrote:

Vmart wrote:I don't see Melo playing along. I see the same Melo as last year.

How so?

I think playing in Syracuse made him look a little to selfish. I felt he jacked up some ill advised shots. Other than that he was catching the ball in similar post ups as last year. I didn't see him moving without the ball all that much. What I see is others moving and Melo standing in the post. I saw Amare move more than Melo.

Well, we do see the first signs of a new kind of ball movement overall. Melo has been part of that at times even if he has still been catered to as the first option.

At the very least, I see the positive that the change in play is happening while Melo is on the floor even if he is not a prime facilitator himself.

Plus, Melo is not pounding the rock and running down the clock, but making his moves quickly and decisively. As the primary, it is key he does this and then we can hope to see him adapt further and up his passing game too.

In sum, I see change in style of play and Melo is not impeding that even if he is not a big facilitator yet.

I guess I don't see what others see in Amare's play so far. We're watching the same games, but we all draw our own conclusions. I see Melo to be more in the flow in terms of basic rhythm and Amare only sometimes that way.

More often, I see Amare making his moves in his own little world. Once the ball goes into him in the post, he is almost guaranteed to shoot it regardless of coverage. That is just what I see and it is not me projecting a pre-formed bias. He looks pretty much like he did last year and with Melo I see subtle signs of adaptation, that's all.