[valentine]

 I’m sorry, he plays no defense, is a blackhole on offense, isn’t a team player, why would you put him on this team seriously? We have enough scorer, grabbing a defender like Kawhi would make much more sense to me, thoughts?

-Greek-Baller

 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 If he’s healthy and can return to form this season then he should make it.  He is extremely dangerous in the Olympics with him playing at the 4.  He scored 37 points in 14minutes against Nigeria in the last Olympics.  

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 If he’s healthy and can return to form this season then he should make it.  He is extremely dangerous in the Olympics with him playing at the 4.  He scored 37 points in 14minutes against Nigeria in the last Olympics.  

[ChewyParticipant]

 He and Lebron are the picture perfect forms of a "mismatch" in international basketball. Other countries have athletic wings and strong big guys, but no country has anyone who can guard these two. Greece has Antetokompo, France has Batum, Nigeria has Aminu… but if these guys guard Melo, who is guarding Lebron?

 I’ve hated on Melo ALL year. His FA decision, how bad the Knicks sucked, the ASG ect ect.

However, I will defend that, internationally, he is Team USA’s 3rd best player behind Lebron and KD. He defends and rebounds his ass off for Team USA. Then at the other end he spends all game knocking down 3’s at a high rate. Kawaii has improved his jumpshot much more and much quicker than I expected him to, but let’s not kid ourselves. He can’t play O like Melo can and with Melo being serious on the boards and on D… Kawaii is still an improvement defensively, but not a big enough improvement for me to ignore the offensive drop off.

If you wanted to make an argument for having both Melo and Kawaii on the team, then I’m open to agreeing with you. But putting Kawaii on the team basically means PG is cut and IDK if Team USA will cut him after him getting hurt in their scrimmage.

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 He and Lebron are the picture perfect forms of a "mismatch" in international basketball. Other countries have athletic wings and strong big guys, but no country has anyone who can guard these two. Greece has Antetokompo, France has Batum, Nigeria has Aminu… but if these guys guard Melo, who is guarding Lebron?

 I’ve hated on Melo ALL year. His FA decision, how bad the Knicks sucked, the ASG ect ect.

However, I will defend that, internationally, he is Team USA’s 3rd best player behind Lebron and KD. He defends and rebounds his ass off for Team USA. Then at the other end he spends all game knocking down 3’s at a high rate. Kawaii has improved his jumpshot much more and much quicker than I expected him to, but let’s not kid ourselves. He can’t play O like Melo can and with Melo being serious on the boards and on D… Kawaii is still an improvement defensively, but not a big enough improvement for me to ignore the offensive drop off.

If you wanted to make an argument for having both Melo and Kawaii on the team, then I’m open to agreeing with you. But putting Kawaii on the team basically means PG is cut and IDK if Team USA will cut him after him getting hurt in their scrimmage.

 

 

[Memphisboy14Participant]

^^^ Just like what the guy above said. Melo is more of an offensive mismatch nightmare for them to not pick him up. Also he has more chemistry developed between many of the other players that are going to make the team from his time spent playing and training on the last 3 Olympic teams. I do think that Kawhi could make the team one day down the line but just not right now. His time will come if he keeps improving.

On a side note why single out just Melo.

[Memphisboy14Participant]

^^^ Just like what the guy above said. Melo is more of an offensive mismatch nightmare for them to not pick him up. Also he has more chemistry developed between many of the other players that are going to make the team from his time spent playing and training on the last 3 Olympic teams. I do think that Kawhi could make the team one day down the line but just not right now. His time will come if he keeps improving.

On a side note why single out just Melo.

[ChewyParticipant]

 Team USA went 8-0 in London 2012 and won by an average of over 30 points, which would support Greekballer’s point that Team USA has enough offense already…

Except that USA only won the gold medal game against Spain by 12 pts and the game itself was actually closer than the 12 pts would suggest. Team USA needed ALL of the offense to pull out that Gold Medal Game. 

 

 

[ChewyParticipant]

 Team USA went 8-0 in London 2012 and won by an average of over 30 points, which would support Greekballer’s point that Team USA has enough offense already…

Except that USA only won the gold medal game against Spain by 12 pts and the game itself was actually closer than the 12 pts would suggest. Team USA needed ALL of the offense to pull out that Gold Medal Game. 

 

 

[Champzilla21Participant]

 Melo is an international nightmare man. He plays better when hes playing with better players. I know everyone does but Melo relishes playing with the people he considers his peers. Plus that short 3 point line is like a lay up for him its crazy.

[Champzilla21Participant]

 Melo is an international nightmare man. He plays better when hes playing with better players. I know everyone does but Melo relishes playing with the people he considers his peers. Plus that short 3 point line is like a lay up for him its crazy.

[Author]

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