Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Effort on defense is a big issue.. Individually neither is a great defender, but Durant works on defense and his length makes him a very effective defender. He gets better every year. He gives effort on that end every game.

The thing with Melo is, when he wants to play defense he's actually a pretty damn good defender. I'm talking one-on-one defense. He can be good when he puts the effort..

His problems lies with his defensive IQ. He has piss-poor defensive vision. Horrible in help, never sees players cutting, nearly useless in a team defensive scheme.. I think it stems from playing zone so much at Cuse, and then never having a pro coach sit down and make him be better in that aspect.

But just one on one guarding his man, I've saw many instances of him being a very good defender.. Sadly it's only when he wants to, and sadly he cares nothing about team defense.

I don't know. I feel like playing in a zone helps you get used to playing help defense.

I think he just doesn't see the importance in defense to be honest. It just seems like all he cares about is the offensive end, and he's one of those guys that thinks his team's best chance is to put the ball in his hands; that a contested shot coming from him is better than an open shot for a teammate.

I love him to death for what he did/has done for Syracuse, but as an NBA player, he's a really frustrating guy to watch. He's a great scorer, and he's a good passer, defender, and rebounder when he wants to be. But you only see glimpses of those other three things.

[ehh]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

While shot charts certainly don't tell the whole story (offensive system, teammates, etc) looking at their two charts this year is pretty hilarious.

Durant:



Melo:




1) Durant is a monster.
2) Everyone knocks Melo for taking those deep 2's but he's actually better off shooting those than getting into that 5-10' range where he's shooting a below league-average 32% on the left and 37% on the right.
3) Compared to other top scorers, Melo is at the bottom when it comes to converting in the paint. Only the puny Steph Curry is worse.

Looking at the top scorers in the league and their shots in the lane...

• LeBron: 76% (!!!)
• Durant: 63%
• Aldridge: 60%
• George: 60%
• Harden: 59%
• Love: 57%
• Melo: 53%
• Curry: 51%

Part of that falls on Melo for sure, part of it is that Mike Woodson is a terrible offensive coach.

[KG]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I've never questioned Melo's ability, only his effort and dedication. Offensively when he gets it going he's a joy to watch. Power, finesse, handle, quick moves, and a jumper (that Olympic performance is still unreal). Same thing defensively. He's strong, has quick hands, and decent feet but the biggest part of being a good defensive player isn't there, his will. It's hard for 1's who have to carry the load offensively but I have always felt like if Melo dedicated himself and got his body right he'd be a much better 2 way player.

Like ehh pointed out, he's horrible at finishing around the rim because he isn't explosive. He can get by his man + he's strong and can finish through contact but he can't finish over guys.


Durant is on another level, especially since he's stepped up his overall game this year. He's become much more engaged on the defensive side (helps that Thabo is there to take the better wing) and he's been hitting the boards. 63% is crazy for a guy who's rail thin and couldn't bench 185 out of Texas.

[EASTS2k]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Melo would be better if he took care of his body, Durant works harder, credits to him.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

56 in 3 quarters, Durant, your games were pretty cute.

[ERA]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I'm going to go on a limb and say that the answer is easy; KD.

But it really pisses me off when people talk smack about Melo. People always say he is overrated and treat him as if he is an average player. What else does he have to do?

Dude scores 62 points and grabs 13 boards, certainly not a superstar, right?

Melo has always been one of my favorite players, if not my #1 favorite player. I've seen so many people talk like they can go out and beat him one-on-one.

And this is coming from a Celtics fan.

[ojandpizza]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I'm going to go on a limb and say that the answer is easy; KD.

But it really pisses me off when people talk smack about Melo. People always say he is overrated and treat him as if he is an average player. What else does he have to do?

Dude scores 62 points and grabs 13 boards, certainly not a superstar, right?

Melo has always been one of my favorite players, if not my #1 favorite player. I've seen so many people talk like they can go out and beat him one-on-one.

And this is coming from a Celtics fan.

I've never saw anybody on this site talk that way about Melo honestly.

[ClutchCity]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Not taking nothing away from Melo, but he dropped 62 against the Bobcats without a few of their starters. While Kevin Durant dropped 54 the other night against the Warriors starters. Just saying it was a nice performance. But c'mon the guy does have poor shot selection and the team doesn't play the greatest defense in the world. So c'mon man I can't give him all the praise in the world and a few guys shouldn't either.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

56 in 3 quarters, Durant, your games were pretty cute.

Don't worry because I'm sure if Durant goes out and drops 60 in a quarter, you'll criticize the number of shots he took and accuse him of jacking.

[BringTheHeat]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Don't worry because I'm sure if Durant goes out and drops 60 in a quarter, you'll criticize the number of shots he took and accuse him of jacking.

I've never been one to call Durant a chucker..wrong person!

I say he's a one dimensional player and gets points handed to him at the line.

[RedSceptile]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I've never been one to call Durant a chucker..wrong person!

I say he's a one dimensional player and gets points handed to him at the line.

If Durant is one dimensional (which he isn't) then what the hell is Carmelo. Please enlighten me.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Durant with that triple double showed how one dimensional he is.

[BlueNGold]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

I've never been one to call Durant a chucker..wrong person!

I say he's a one dimensional player and gets points handed to him at the line.

Wtf?

Yeah, Durant's one-dimensional yet he's on pace to be the 7th player to ever average 31+ PPG, 7+ RPG and 5+ APG.

[DamnYanks2]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

According to most, he's improved his defense too. Durant is becoming more and more well rounded by the day.

[ehh]

Re: Let's settle this: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

According to most, he's improved his defense too. Durant is becoming more and more well rounded by the day.

Which is one of the biggest differences between guys like LeBron and Durant compared to Melo. The former two have improved on their weak areas while adding new elements to their game over their career. Melo's game has largely been the same his entire career.

It's frustrating with Melo because all of the pieces are there. He's a good passer, just not a willing one. He has games were he's above average defensively. Truly great players work out the kinks (and work hard enough) to eliminate those deficiencies from their game.