WaltLongmire wrote:TeamBall wrote:SocraticBallin22 wrote:Listen...if you're a superstar in Melo, and you just called out your team after the last game, questioned the direction of the entire organization, publicly said you have no relationship with Phil, publicly said you were frustrated and tired of losing...you CANNOT come out the game after on the road when the rest of the team stepped up their game and showed up and have such a bad game. It makes you look really bad as a leader. And his body language looked terrible the whole game--not to mention losing his cool with the tech which forced us into shooting 3's to tie the game. Just an all around bad look.
Where is this notion coming from that Melo is a leader? He never has been since he's been here.
With that said, I wasn't aware he said all of those things before reading your post. After reading it, I can only agree. Very fair look at everything.
He's been better as a "leader" this year. I've seen him talking to players on the court and during the breaks on numerous occasions. He just had a bad game. Was also frustrated that a much taller Turner was able to gets shots over him, and this caused him to throw the elbow. You also figure that he wasn't happy with some of the non-calls on his drives to the basket.
Its a shame that his production did not match that of his teammates, though. A few extra shots made could have won the game for us.
I am in the middle on Melo. I definitely did not like what NY gave up for him as he could have just come as a FA.
He had a few moments in the first few years of being a bad influence on the team. On the court, he has been good not great.
This year, his game was better, he seems to be a better leader. But again, another situation is coming up and his actions are not looking good.
Being a leader on and OFF the court seems to come hard for him. Again, I would say up until this last stretch he has done much better. I hope it is just another dip in the road and he will recover. The team needs what he was bringing just before the collapse. That was a great Melo. Maybe its all Physical, (tripping on ref) but it sure is not looking good. It is possible his knee is bothering him and he may now realize that his best days are behind him and its hard for him to accept. I am just speculating. Whatever it is, for the sake of the KNicks, I hope he can regain what he had earlier this season. IF that is not possible for whatever reason, then it is time to convince him to accept a trade (if his knee passes the physical). Yes, it will set the team back on the court but perhaps the pressure release in the locker room will offset.
In any case, let's see how the rest of the year goes and I think it will become clear.
