Here we go again. Melo has lost exactly one series in his career against an inferior opponent. Stop watching sports center and thinking Jon Berry is god.
I don't watch ESPN? The narrative that Carmelo is an elite player is a lot more mainstream than mine. Either way the fact remains that Carmelo's playoff record is historically bad.
There are two Knicks fans on this site, neither one of us has come in here bragging about Carmelo. Where are you coming from with this? Are you talking just to talk?
Melo doesn't have that clutch gene/it factor. He's a choke. Pretty obvious to anyone who watches his games.
This is the second time in Melo's career he will be eliminated by a team lower seeded then his. And the first time was against Utah and Jerry Sloan who can coach the bejesus out of a decent team. So define "should be able to beat". As good as Melo is, hes still just one player. Contrary to the belief of some, including maybe Melo himself at times, he cant play 1-5 and win.
Right, but Melo hasn't been on teams that are just devoid of talent through his career. He just doesnt make the guys around him better IMO
Which of course is why no one in the entire NBA over the length of Carmelo's career has it more game tying or game winning shots in the final minute of games. No one. Not Kobe, not Lebron, not Wade. No one. Talk to me about how Melo isnt clutch again. The man needs a teammate who can also score so he doesnt have to shoulder the load. Remember what Lebron had in Cleveland? Or what Durant has right now with Westbrook out? Thats about what Melo has now. Its not a coincidence. Hes not as good as Lebron all around so he cant elevate teammates quite as much. He needs players to pull their weight.
Not devoid of talent but they never really put a second player around him in Denver except a declining Iverson and a declining Billups. People forget that when most teams suck they they have multiple lottery picks. the year Denver picked Melo they had the worst record in the NBA and they went directly to the playoffs JUST by adding Melo. There was never a 2nd star or even a 2nd lottery pick.
Meanwhile Kevin Durant is having an off series and in his last 4qtrs of play has been downright horrible. Will there be media lash back? No. Will you highlight watchers hate on him? No. That's life though...these guys are millionaires so its all part of the job description, they can love you or hate you for all the wrong reasons.
Lebron's team is never in that position. He doesn't need game winning shots. Carmelo also more attempts than anyone, which doesn't speaks volumes.
He doesn't have the "it" factor either. Neither do. They will never win a ring as long as Lebron is playing.
Carmelo Anthony can only impact the game in one way. Playoff defenses eat that up. Jordan couldn't win purely as a scorer. Kobe couldn't. Lebron couldn't. Carmelo is a great scorer. There are maybe 4-5 defenses in the league that can force him out of his game. But when he faces one of those teams, how does he impact the series??? He hasn't figured out how to win IMO.
Carmelo is 28. Durant is 24. If Durant isn't any better in 4 years, then he should get as much crap as Melo.
The Rudy Gay trade is what made them BETTER. You are smarter than that Boik. Numbers don't lie, and the WIN TOTAL doesn't either. They built a bench by trading one inefficient ball stopper. Gained a all-NBA defense performer and higher usage for their better players. Not to mention, Conley improved as soon as Gay got traded.
One final work on Melo. If he was a Heat...he would be the best scorer in the NBA. The Heat would ensure efficiency since they are a egghead analytic organization. He just doesn't have the rest of his game to offset bad shooting. Bron and Durant do. Now, his personal record in the playoffs is pretty bad, but there is nothing wrong with him. He has moved from top 20 in my eyes, to a clear cut top 10 player. His team and his coach are not helping him IMPROVE. Melo is not braindead or def. If he got worked on, he would become a more efficient scorer and a much more effective star. Nobody ever accused Bird or Dirk of being defensive stalwarts. Melo is in that class. First ballot hall of famer SCREAMING for coaching and a system.
It was in that position very frequently in Cleveland. Carmelo is barely top 5 in attempts in those situations. He has the highest efficiency though and the best shooting % in those situations out of the top 10. Which is why I said he needs Chris Paul. He needs someone to help make him more efficient and dictate to him when hes getting the ball and in what situation hes getting the ball. Hes such a good scorer that only a great PG will really garner his respect in dictating to him imo. It made their team better but for purposes of playing Miami, Rudy Gay is is one of the 3 best defenders of Lebron in the league in terms of FG% against. Thats what I was referring to. I should have made that clearer. Memphis' style of play can allow them to lose a 20ppg scorer. But if they play Miami, they will need those 20PPG Rudy Gay would have provided more then they will need Tayshaun Price and Austin Daye.
Agree. But remember...dumping Gay means that Conley, Zeebooow, and Gasol INCREASE usage..which is not a bad thing... Take your pick..those three guys...or Gay living out his Michael Jordan fantasy.
My pick would have been keeping Gay, have him take on Prince's role and step up as a scorer as needed so you get the increased usage AND keep another good player around. You never win a trade by losing it. Long term thats going to bite them.
I disagree. I'd rather have efficient guys scoring at a 50% or better clip down the stretch, than Gay shooting jumpers as ISO's get called for him. it is no recipe for success vs. Miami to challenge him with a Poor Poor Poor Poor Poor man's version of Lebron James.
Right on cue..Memphis is choking BIG TIME. Brick after brick from the free throw line. No efficiency for choking.
WOW. KD picked a helluva time to play his worst game in his playoff career. Melo haters take note. It's hard when the rest of your team isn't so good.
I've read articles that detail why all of the following playoff teams are the Heat's "nightmare matchup" Knicks, Pacers, Bulls, Bucks, Spurs, Grizzlies, and Nuggets. Man how are the Heat not a lottery team?
Durant's playoff averages finished at 31/9/6 along w/ a steal and block per game on 45% shooting. Unfortunately he will get crucified because he played poorly in game 5.
Since when do "Moral Victories" exist in PROFESSIONAL Sports? Did the Heat lose this series, and I've deluded myself into thinking that the Heat won in 5 and the Bulls set two records for futility in this series? (Largest loss, lowest point total, games 2 and 4.)
That wasnt bad but check out the dunk Tayshaun Prince threw down on 3 OKC defenders last night.... [video]http://www.businessinsider.com/tayshaun-prince-dunks-okc-thunder-2013-5[/video]
great dunk. But if we go on style points...Cole did it with his left hand (off hand) against a set Bull defense. Prince did it with his strong hand against OKC in transition.
Are you being sarcastic? Cause I thought this type of criticism was exposed as completely stupid after LeBron won it all last year.
Not to mentiom Cole did against against guys who were much bigger than he is. He out Nate Robinsoned Nate Robinson. Oh and that video does not do justice to how loud the AAA got when he made that play. Or how loud it was in general.
