I understand his defense is not his best weapon. Can you find any player with minimum pay who has better production?
All of this and the biggest issue the team is having is Gordon's shooting and Chris Paul not looking out of sorts. He didn't look bad during the Laker game at least,
Based on Melo's performance the last 6 games? Yeah like 1/3 of the players playing for the vet min would have better production. The other problem is Melo is treated like an all time great (which he is) but he just doesn't have those skills anymore which causes us to add emphasis on a player who cannot produce which piles even more salt in the wound.
He is in the min pay, off the bench. I'd rather think about a better defensive coach than Melo's defense on the awful start of this season. It is team effort in the end.
Melo *IS* a risk at the minimum when he is essentially forced into a huge rotational role and tanking the team on both ends of the court. You say "we can just cut him", but you actually can't. Chris Paul and Harden would be pissed, the Rockets would look stupid for talking up Melo all summer, and we don't have any other wing replacement for him at the moment. It's just a bad situation and it was stupid for the Rockets to hone in on him rather than getting a more adequate replacement for Ariza/Luc. And you say he's accepted his role...that's not even true. The Rockets want him to be Ryan Anderson, while he's trying to be Eric Gordon. He's taking tons of horrific contested two's, and he's not knocking down his 3's. He's not playing defense. He's got 4 assists through 6 games. He's not rebounding. I would absolutely argue he's not accepting his role, and I would absolutely argue he's one of the Rockets biggest problems right now. If you're complementing him "for not badmouthing teammates or coaches", then that's a low bar. I agree we need a big man. Clint sucks right now and Chriss/Hartenstein aren't ready. Nobody on the team is playing well except maybe Harden. Chris Paul looks like a bum. But Melo, MCW, and Ennis, were brought here to replace Ariza and Luc, and they've all been objectively terrible.
#newboardscapegoat Melo might be on the top 10 list of things that are currently wrong but no where near the top. Last game he was good on offense and sucked on defense tonight he was good on defense and sucked on offense. You know what that is ?? A vet. min role player. You shouldn't be relying on a player like Melo at his age for anything. He is playing too many minutes and whatever he gives you in those minutes should be considered a bonus. If he is a net negative player then don't play him. He isn't a cancer of a teammate. No teammate has ever talked bad about him or said a negative thing about him. Coaches have had problems with him but not teammates. So many bigger problems with the team but as always there needs to be a scapegoat and looks like Melo is it.... Melo misses a shot ---- CUT HIM Melo makes a shot ---- Crickets Melo messes up on defense ---- CUT HIM Melo makes a good defensive play ---- Crickets
To be fair Melo was brought to replace Anderson but yes he’s be terrible. Doesn’t explain everyone not named James Harden crapping the bed all season though.
Still early in the season... I think with Harden back in the fold...everything will be ALRIGHT! hopefully. Need to see him start next to Paul and Harden. Im not too down or worried about Melo.
