"Changing of the guard" in the NBA

[ScoobySnax]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

You can throw NY in there. They will get to contender status.

[rockchisler]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

If Miami adds another quality piece, then they could win 8 rings.

Even if they do I doubt it, too many good players in the pipeline for teams to get better, you wont see a Celtics in the 60's type run.

[Po Pimp]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

The 8 rings thing is ridiculous...

In 8 years, Wade is 36, LeBron is 33, and Bosh is 34.

Exactly what I was thinking. Besides, in Wade's case, how many more years does he have left being an ELITE player? Kobe is already starting to show his age at 32, and Wade is only 3-4 years younger. Also, I know Kobe came out of high school and has a lot of mileage, but Wade has had a pretty injury prone career so far. Not to mention the fact that he's only 6'4" and doesn't have as nice a J as Kobe.

[Bumi]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Exactly what I was thinking. Besides, in Wade's case, how many more years does he have left being an ELITE player? Kobe is already starting to show his age at 32, and Wade is only 3-4 years younger. Also, I know Kobe came out of high school and has a lot of mileage, but Wade has had a pretty injury prone career so far. Not to mention the fact that he's only 6'4" and doesn't have as nice a J as Kobe.

Wade's issue is that his game is entirely dependent upon his athleticism. It's the primary reason I expect his game to slide in about two seasons.

[da ThRONe]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

You can throw NY in there. They will get to contender status.

As much as I like A'Mare and Melo I don't see them winning titles. The new CBA will most likely shrink the talent pool they can bring in and those two IMO just don't have the championship attitude.

[1Rose]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

As much as I like A'Mare and Melo I don't see them winning titles. The new CBA will most likely shrink the talent pool they can bring in and those two IMO just don't have the championship attitude.

This.

Not sure what has lead anyone to believe Melo has had a championship attitude.

Exactly what I was thinking. Besides, in Wade's case, how many more years does he have left being an ELITE player? Kobe is already starting to show his age at 32, and Wade is only 3-4 years younger. Also, I know Kobe came out of high school and has a lot of mileage, but Wade has had a pretty injury prone career so far. Not to mention the fact that he's only 6'4" and doesn't have as nice a J as Kobe.

Wade's 29 with the body of about a 35 year old. Like someone else said, in about 2 years, I can imagine his ability being greatly diminished. I had said before that their window is probably 4 years to really win a title. You can't guarantee a trip there on talent. Teams are going to get hot and beat you at the right time (i.e. Grizzlies in the West), or some breaks are not going to go your way. They were fortunate with health this year and alot of things have gone their way this post season.

[da ThRONe]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

It couldn't possibly be the fact that he won the championship in his only year of college.

So just because a player wins at one level it translate to the next?

[DieHardYankee26]

So just because a player wins at one level it translate to the next?

What exactly does a championship attitude mean? The guy carried Syracuse as a freshmen to the National Championship and wins and he doesn't have one. I'm not understanding exactly what a championship attitude would mean if carrying a team to a championship doesn't give you one.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

It think it would have been better if he just said "not good enough to win".

Not "championship attitude". I think both guys have their heads in the right places, especially Melo with being involved in the National team. He has really improved his game since 2008.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Melo sort of has a winning mentality. He's a guy that's kinda like Terrell Owens in the way that they both want to win badly, but their strength and weakness is that they think the way for them to win is for them to dominate. They think the team is in it's best position when the ball is in their hands. Regardless, Melo really looked like he was playing hard in the series against Boston this year, and he has a rep for being an excellent offensive player and excellent in the clutch. Those three things in my opinion give him a winner's mentality.

[1Rose]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Not quite sure if you remember but that Syracuse team that won, was pretty stacked. If I remember correctly there were 5 guys on that team that averaged double figures. Yes Melo is a great player, but he was also the beneficiary of having a great team around him.

Just because you've won a championship, doesn't mean you have a championship attitude. Would you consider Ron Artest someone who has an attitude of a champion?

There has always been questions about his work ethic, he is self-absorbed and only cares about himself. Which is standard in today's sports world. Him and Amare do not compliment each other on the court either. They will be what the Hawks have the been the previous years. Solid regular seasons and bounced in the first or second round.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Not quite sure if you remember but that Syracuse team that won, was pretty stacked. If I remember correctly there were 5 guys on that team that averaged double figures. Yes Melo is a great player, but he was also the beneficiary of having a great team around him.

Just because you've won a championship, doesn't mean you have a championship attitude. Would you consider Ron Artest someone who has an attitude of a champion?

There has always been questions about his work ethic, he is self-absorbed and only cares about himself. Which is standard in today's sports world. Him and Amare do not compliment each other on the court either. They will be what the Hawks have the been the previous years. Solid regular seasons and bounced in the first or second round.

The only player that I really remember from that team other than melo was Warrick.

Here it is:

No Name Pos Ht Wt DOB Yr City (High School)
21 Josh Brooks F 6-5 180 SR Saranac, NY (Saranac HS)
23 Todd Burach G 6-5 196 SO Englishtown, NJ (Manalapan HS)
35 Ross DiLiegro F 6-8 213 SO Lexington, MA (Lexington HS)
14 Billy Edelin PG 6-4 195 JR Mouth Of Wilson, VA (Oak Hill Academy)
51 Craig Forth C 7-0 256 SR East Greenbush, NY (Columbia HS)
12 Logan Gabriel G 5-10 167 FR Carbondale, PA (Carbondale Area JSHS)
32 Xzavier Gaines G 6-4 197 JR Houston, TX (Westfield HS)
24 Matt Gorman PF 7-0.5 235 05/01/1984 JR Watertown, NY (Watertown SHS)
42 Louis McCroskey PG 6-5 208 06/27/1985 SO Bronx, NY (St. Raymond Hs For Boys)
3 Gerry McNamara PG 6-2 182 08/28/1983 JR Scranton, PA (Bishop Hannon HS)
4 Demetris Nichols F 6-8 212 09/04/1984 SO Barrington, RI (St. Andrew's School)
5 Josh Pace SG 6-6 203 SR Griffin, GA (Griffin HS)
33 Terrence Roberts PF 6-9 228 08/14/1984 SO Jersey City, NJ (St. Anthony HS)
5 Hakim Warrick SF 6-8 219 07/08/1982 SR Wynnewood, PA (Friends' Central)
13 Darryl Watkins C 6-11 258 11/08/1984 SO Paterson, NJ (Paterson Catholic HS)
25 Dayshawn Wright F 6-6 232 09/05/1985 FR Mouth Of Wilson, VA (Oak Hill Academy)
30 Josh Wright PG 6-2 175 04/08/1986 FR Utica, NY (Thomas R. Proctor HS)
No Name Pos Ht Wt DOB Yr City (High School)

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Well to your point, Ron Artest didn't lead LA to a title. Kobe and Pau did.

If we're discussing Amare/Melo as the leaders to a ring, then let's just leave it at that. Not compare them to role players like Ron Artest is.

If we don't think they're good enough as players to lead NY to a title, I think we should just say that instead of "they don't have the championship attitude", which to me doesn't make any sense. Unless we're saying that they're selfish and/or apathetic.

[ehh]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

Not quite sure if you remember but that Syracuse team that won, was pretty stacked. If I remember correctly there were 5 guys on that team that averaged double figures. Yes Melo is a great player, but he was also the beneficiary of having a great team around him.

[da ThRONe]

Re: "Changing of the guard" in the NBA

What possible evidence is there for him not having "a championship attitude", whatever the hell that is supposed to mean?

Melo can be a much better consistent defender why isn't he? Having a championship attitude is looking to make the right play not just making the play yourself. Love Melo as a baller would take him on my team (mostly because Paul has that attitude), but IMO he doesn't have it. I have no problem with anybody who disagrees.