How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

[HardwoodHeisman]

I seriously want to know this because my view hasn't changed much. I participated in arguments with plenty of friends and relatives over who would be the better player early on in their careers, and I was pretty much alone on the LeBron bandwagon.

Everyone claimed Carmelo would be the better player earlier because of the National Championship he lead Syracuse to, as well as felt that he had a more solid overall game. I was always for LeBron because I watched too many of the kid's HS games to not think he was going to be a superstar. While many felt the attention and praise he got early on wasn't deserving, I didn't mind any of it because it was always my belief that he would live up to it and be able to handle it. I didn't think LeBron would adapt this quick to the NBA game, but I knew he'd be the better player of the two early on.

Now with Carmelo, I thought he would be right there with him, but with LeBron's overall athleticism being the only difference. I could understand then how people had Carmelo over LeBron, mainly because the points of him being more mature and how he'd be more level-headed really seemed reasonable. You look at it now and those points aren't necessarily true at all. I felt like Carmelo was a great player, but I wasn't in awe of his game like I was with LeBron's before the NBA.

So like I said, my view hasn't changed much. I thought LeBron would be the better player early on between the two.....Now I did think it would be a little closer than it is as of now, seeing as how I didn't know Melo had issues with his confidence and things of that nature.

Thoughts?

[Vince]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

Carmelo doesn't have nearly the offensive repetoire that Lebron has. Lebron is on a whole other level. Even Wade has surpassed Melo by a wide margin in my view.

Just by watching Lebron, you can see how intense he is on the court. Like the Detroit game where he took off his jersey and threw it to the crowds. It may sound weird, but that to me is a big sign of a guy who wants to win and has the drive to do so. Not so sure about Melo. He's already been challenged by Karl in Denver and I don't see him having the same mental toughness that Bron has.

[HardwoodHeisman]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

Carmelo doesn't have nearly the offensive repetoire that Lebron has. Lebron is on a whole other level. Even Wade has surpassed Melo by a wide margin in my view.

Just by watching Lebron, you can see how intense he is on the court. Like the Detroit game where he took off his jersey and threw it to the crowds. It may sound weird, but that to me is a big sign of a guy who wants to win and has the drive to do so. Not so sure about Melo. He's already been challenged by Karl in Denver and I don't see him having the same mental toughness that Bron has.

True.....But what was your view of the two and your prediction for how things would turn out pre-NBA for the two and since then, how much of it has changed?

[Vince]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I always though Melo would be a nice player, a 20 ppg scorer, but not a guy who could dominate. A lot of people compare him to Big Fraud Robinson, which I agree with. And Lebron, I thought he had the higher ceiling, but with a HS player, I wasn't sure if he'd be the next T-Mac or Deshawn Stevenson.

Really, nothing has changed. Melo doesn't strike me as a guy who will take a team on his back, and will them to the playoffs. I may be wrong though, but Bron has world class ability and has the potential to win multiple MVP's, scoring titles and become one of the better players ever.

[shamalaka]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

If Melo does'nt watch it Chris Bosh may pass him up as well.

[SPTO]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I have to admit I was one of the ppl that was against Lebron. I have to admit he has turned into a very mature player in his approach on the court. he's definitely one of those once every decade kinda players.

Mello has been a disappointment throughout his career but I think a full season with George Karl as his coach should bring some results.

[keRplunK]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I thought Carmello was going to be a Glen Robinson type player.....Pretty correct so far.

Lebron I was expecting to be worse from behind the arc and to play worse defense....but still thought he was going to be alot better than Anthony....but Lebron has shown to be even better than I could have thought this early.

[Kashanova]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

my views haven't really change I was on the lebron banwagon since his sophmore year

[Beantown]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I was on the Bron bandwagon his junior year when ESPn started hyping him. I always thought Bron was going to be a better overall player, but thought 'melo's team would be better, and I think I've been right so far.

I'm more surprised that Wade has passed 'Melo as the #2 from that draft class, and in some ways he's better than Bron.

[Slymm]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I been on the Bron wagon since me and my boy went to his freshmen year highschool playoff game and he said "He ain't that good"

[dieselboy]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

If Melo does'nt watch it Chris Bosh may pass him up as well.

A lot of people are making that argument.

[HMcCoy]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

Nada.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I think my expectations for LeBron have been far SURPASSED by him. He's just unbelievable.

As for Carmelo, I thought he wouldnt amount to much really, but be servicable.

We'll see. Still too early.

[amra01]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I think Wade is ahead from both melo and bron he had a chance for the championship this year if he was healthy and he shines through a very good team along Shaq jones mourning he does n't need to be alone with mediocre teamates and make 30 something shots a game.
this year will show a lot if bron can't make it to the east playoffs again with Larry and Zydrunas maybe he ain't that good..

[HardwoodHeisman]

Re: How much has your pre-NBA view of LeBron and Carmelo changed?

I think Wade is ahead from both melo and bron he had a chance for the championship this year if he was healthy and he shines through a very good team along Shaq jones mourning he does n't need to be alone with mediocre teamates and make 30 something shots a game.
this year will show a lot if bron can't make it to the east playoffs again with Larry and Zydrunas maybe he ain't that good..

If you think Wade is ahead of both, at least explain it. I'm sure most of us on here would agree he's over Melo right now, but I'd like to know your reasoning for why he's over LeBron?

You say Wade doesn't need to be alone with mediocre teamates as if thats something LeBron wanted. If LeBron was to miss the Playoffs this upcoming season it doesn't mean "he ain't that good". This is Hughes' first year with the team and Mike Brown's 1st year as the Head Coach. Also consider the Cavs still haven't addressed some other issues.

Its sort of hard to compare LeBron, Wade and Melo off of team success, seeing as how they all are in totally different situations.