[Mr. ChicagoParticipant]

 hey guys,

It’s been a long time. After the recent trade/buyout of Melo and his supposed tie to the Rockets, I find myself asking why a lot….

Why do the Rockets want to sign him? What do they think he brings? Why would he change?

Needless to say, I’m not a Melo enthusiast but I am having trouble decisfering how he is better than a replacement player at this stage in his career  he played terrible last year, and he refuses to take on a lesser roller or play the 4 (his better position since about ‘08).

I’m interested to hear thoughts? Differences of opinions? Or call me an idiot, haha. Happy Friday everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cabbycabParticipant]

 I guess they wanted another shooter in case Harden or Gordon went cold.  Not a fan of Melo either but he can shoot.  

[MopgrassParticipant]

Carmelo would finally give them the black hole they’ve always wanted. 

[DondiJohnParticipant]

Dwight Howard? 

[Andv1 WaitingParticipant]

 I wouldn’t say he refuses to play pf,he did this all of last season with OKC its more so he isn’t such a huge fan of being forced into being relegated to just a catch and shoot 4 vs some Mid range,Some post ups and iso’s+ Catch and shoot. Which personally I don’t know if it was him or Donvan who didn’t make it happen/use him correctly, as Donovan can be a little ridged/slow to react at times..

The bigger issues is more so this: He hasn’t fully kept himself in elite shape more so barely Allstar/Starter level gameshape. Because if you compare how Lebron has aged vs Melo has aged Lebron hasn’t really dropped off as much as Melo…Watch him now vs when he first came into the league he used to blow by PF/SF’s easily now he struggles against PF and can’t vs SF’s. Meaning his game looks a lote worse than it actually should at this point as he has some really nice looking fundimentals if you really watch him.

To answer why the Rockets though: Its kind of a addition and subtraction if that makes sense, They lost their starting SF to the Suns and their back up to the Clippers leaving only Tucker…Melo offers more than Anderson and Tucker at this point of their careers.

Which means they now have a vacated spot. I could see them offering him the starting PF spot and starting Tucker at SF. Does he help them yes on the offensive end but on the defensive end he has his moments where he can be engaged but vs the younger players he gets blended alot,almost to a James harden level…

However if this stint goes badly this time I unfortunately see him being relegated to the bench in a 6th man/role player level role in the next 2-3 years..If he doesn’t accept this he will then be forced to retire or go to rebuilding teams that will let him start as the want to lose..

 

 

[The GoatParticipant]

 At this point he needs to be on a team that plays .. how should I say this… a team that plays somewhere other than in the NBA

[kobyzParticipant]

 If you have Chris Paul as leader that could hold him accountable it could work…

[kobyzParticipant]

 If you have Chris Paul as leader that could hold him accountable it could work…

[HitsterParticipant]

 Melo has always been a scorer and the D’Antoni system and playing with CP3 will give him that role. If he can take his Team USA role to the NBA now, he could work but if the Rockets move doesn’t work out then any title bids could be as a bench veteran on other teams.

[220Participant]

 The Rockets are desperate and bringing Melo in on a minimum is more interesting that bringing in a no name free agent. Plus if it’s absolutely horrible the Rockets can simply cut him with little ramifications.

[BothTeamsPlayedHardParticipant]

Great commercial potential to fill in for the loss of Ariza. Melo 5 was always too skinny, now Melo 4 is too,

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

 Melo has not been a winner since college and his incredible freshman year at Syracuse.  He was once one of, if not the best scorer in the league, but he is way past his prime.  Melo brings absolutely nothing to the table besides scoring.  Nothing,  He doesn’t play D, make any of his teammates better or bring an sort of leadership or intangibles to the game.  This isn’t anything that people don’t know already.  I guess teams are so infatuated that he can occassionally go off for 30 or 40 that they just ignore the fact that this guy is just a selfish, ball hog who could care less about his teammates or winning for that matter.  Why any GM would want Melo on their team at this stage of his career is beyond me.  

[BigChamp12Participant]

 So is CP3 a winner? 

[DolanCareParticipant]

The thing is, Melo could improve if he learned how to get some separation on his jump shots. He began playing like Dirk Nowitzki about 3 seasons ago, except he has half the jump shot, and he doesn’t know have to create space. Defenders are in his grill for nearly every disgusting pull-up jumper he flicks up. 

If he dedicated a summer to learning how to put a leg up, and other "old man moves," he’d be a far more effective player. 

 

 

 

 

 

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Didn’t Anthony and D’Antoni clash in NYC?

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 Melo on a max contract with expectations of a big role in the offense is a cap sheet and team chemistry killer. However, melo on a cheap deal with a very defined role and low expectations is a gamble worth taking if your Houston. While it’s true he has never been a good defender, and the decline in athleticism only exasperates this weakness, he can still make open shots and is a guy that you cannot help off of. And he can still be a guy that can exploit a mismatch if there is enough juice left in the tank. He sure as hell isnt going to replace what Ariza and Mbah a moute gave them defensively, but as long as he stays in his lane he is an offensive upgrade over either at a what will likely be a much cheaper price.

[bigtymer32Participant]

 if anyone could make it work it’s chris paul.i wouldn’t do it but chris paul can get him to play a team role.

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