Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

Are you saying he's not selfish?

[The 24th Letter]

I think you guys overstate Carmelo's defensive woes. I think he does try to play defense, he's just not a good defender. All you can ask of the guy is to play hard and work his *** off in the offseason. Which he does.

I say this all the time, there is a difference between the two. I don't watch Melo and see someone not attempting to play defense....he's just bad at it lol....I also wouldn't categorize him as selfish....the simple fact is that his inability to play of ball is a wart on his game....I think Melo had grown a ton since he got in the league honestly...

[ehh]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

Then when it was just him and no Amare or Lin. I saw a change. I saw him starting to get it. I saw him realizing how he can play to make his team better.

This is what worries me the most. Melo plays with the most energy and vigor when it's basically him-against-the-world. When he knows he can get others involved and still take 22-30 shots per game. When he has Lin and Amare out there he just doesn't seem to know how to mentally approach things. And that's a major concern at this point, he can't fit not only with Amare but also with Lin.

I want to see him play great games with Lin and Amare and play with the same consistent fire. It's like his eyes lit up once we were down in a deep hole against Miami because he knew he could just start jacking up shots and try to carry the team.

[iAM-IncReDiBLe-]

Exactly, with Amare an Lin out he has free reign. He can stockpile stats.

[ehh]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

I say this all the time, there is a difference between the two. I don't watch Melo and see someone not attempting to play defense....he's just bad at it lol....I also wouldn't categorize him as selfish....the simple fact is that his inability to play of ball is a wart on his game....I think Melo had grown a ton since he got in the league honestly...

His D is nowhere near as bad as most make it out to be. He knows how to play defense, he knows the fundamentals of it, etc. He just isn't great at it. Amare on the other hand is completely lost and violates most of the basic defensive fundamentals every single possession.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

When people(I'll put myself in this category)say Melo can't play Defense, obviously we're not saying that he physically can't do it or when the other team has the ball he just stands there and does nothing. His defense just sucks and he isn't really good at it or average at it.

It's like when people say Rondo can't shoot. They don't mean literally he can't shoot...but that he's horrible at it.

[RedSceptile]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

If it's any consolation at least Melo plays better defense than Amare.

D:?

[BlastX21]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

This is what worries me the most. Melo plays with the most energy and vigor when it's basically him-against-the-world. When he knows he can get others involved and still take 22-30 shots per game. When he has Lin and Amare out there he just doesn't seem to know how to mentally approach things. And that's a major concern at this point, he can't fit not only with Amare but also with Lin.

I want to see him play great games with Lin and Amare and play with the same consistent fire. It's like his eyes lit up once we were down in a deep hole against Miami because he knew he could just start jacking up shots and try to carry the team.

Agree entirely. The Knicks could have the next Big 3 with Lin-Melo-Amare...if they could just fit well together.

I really dont get why they don't though. You could say that all 3 need the ball in their hands to be effective, but the same goes for D-Wade/LeBron, yet they have succeeded together. Also, Lin/Melo/Amare can all shoot the ball and score inside, so on paper it should be able to work.

[ehh]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

The short answer is that Melo and Amare can't pass the ball or make other players better. Wade isn't an elite passer but he's miles ahead of Melo. LeBron is obviously one of the better passers in the league.

If you have a lineup on the floor of Lin, JR Smith, Melo, Amare and Chandler you have four below average passers and one slightly above average one. Tough to be a championship caliber team if that's the case.

[Vast]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

When people(I'll put myself in this category)say Melo can't play Defense, obviously we're not saying that he physically can't do it or when the other team has the ball he just stands there and does nothing. His defense just sucks and he isn't really good at it or average at it.

It's like when people say Rondo can't shoot. They don't mean literally he can't shoot...but that he's horrible at it.

Comparing Rondo's shooting to Melo's defense is insulting. Dude plays defense, he just doesn't get many blocks or steals. He's definitely better defensively than say Durant, although durant has more length and more defensive potential.

[The 24th Letter]

I'm pretty sure no one thinks Melo is physically incapable of holding out his arms and getting into a squatting position....I'm just saying he's not a good defender, but not for lack of effort....it's just something he's not good at..

Just like Rondo, I don't doubt dude puts in shots over the summer like crazy....but he may never have that touch...

[AUChase]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

I actually like Melo, but I've never pictured him as a proved leader of a team. He's very athletic and a great ball player, but he doesn't show any sort of "killer instinct". The Knicks are missing some key pieces to get it done.

He will have that occasional huge numbers game, but it's always at the expense of the rest of his team mates. He can't get his and get his team mates involved too and that's what it will take.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

Comparing Rondo's shooting to Melo's defense is insulting. Dude plays defense, he just doesn't get many blocks or steals. He's definitely better defensively than say Durant, although durant has more length and more defensive potential.

Completely missed the point.

I'm pretty sure no one thinks Melo is physically incapable of holding out his arms and getting into a squatting position....I'm just saying he's not a good defender, but not for lack of effort....it's just something he's not good at..

Just like Rondo, I don't doubt dude puts in shots over the summer like crazy....but he may never have that touch...

Hasn't this what everyone has been saying though?

Nobody has never said they don't see him "attempt to play defense", we've just said that he's bad at it. Not even sure why his attempt to play was being questioned in the first place.

[Hassan Darkside]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

I actually like Melo, but I've never pictured him as a proved leader of a team. He's very athletic and a great ball player, but he doesn't show any sort of "killer instinct". The Knicks are missing some key pieces to get it done.

I don't think Melo's a bad defender when he tries. He just never really gave it any effort nor has any coach succeeded at motivating him. But he did play much better defensively last year after Woody took over. He has really quick hands and is strong, he just tends to fall asleep off the ball and a lot of times doesn't understand how to play the guy across from him.

I'll be interested in seeing where he is after a full camp under a guy that's a primarily a defensive coach since he's played his entire career for offensive coaches.

[ehh]

Re: Can Melo Get His Ring Next?

Nobody has never said they don't see him "attempt to play defense", we've just said that he's bad at it. Not even sure why his attempt to play was being questioned in the first place.

Really? Plenty of people have questioned his heart/effort on D over the years.