Monta Ellis is the best guard to pair with James Harden

First off, Monta Ellis is not having his best year, trying to do too much, carrying a bad team, with a poor supporting cast. Second, he's not being used in the best way to use him. A good player cannot be invalidated just because that said player is not used or coached to the best of his abilities, or used in situations wherein he will be most effective. It's still a two way street. Nevertheless, he still produces albeit in not most efficient or effective way possible.

That being said, Monta Ellis greatest strength is his elite mid-range and slashing game. Personally I believe he is better in the mid range than Rip Hamilton, and is as good if not better attacking the basket as Tony Parker. He is not a real 3 point threat but he's managed to improve his shot just to make defenders respect it enough to be "honest" at the very least. If you have seen him at his breakout and early stardom years in Golden State, you'd remember how his mid range game and slashing was an absolute thing of beauty. Let me rephrase it for some of you, Monta Ellis is very much capable of efficient scoring, see below.

http://s778.beta.photobucket.com/user/decriz/media/MontaEllisstats.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

I see him as a cross between Fat Lever and Vinnie Johnson.

Fat Lever - elite guard rebounder, playmaker, high steals rate, can be a hound on defense, decent scoring and defense
Vinnie Johnson - can light it up, excellent scorer, strong for his size

Remember we're not getting him to become the primary scorer. We're getting him to be part of James' supporting cast. Coached and utilized properly he will be an excellent addition. He has to be brought back to using his greatest strengths. And that is actually the Monta Ellis that I have an eye on acquiring.

He is not "The One" who will take us to the promised land, but having him definitely pushes us in the direction of real contention.

Imagine a rotation of:

Ellis - Harden
Lin - Harden
Lin - Ellis

All are excellent distibutors and capable scorers, when one sits there is no let down or drop in offensive ability for the backcourt on the floor.

This acquisition does not have to break the bank. I actually believe that this acquisition leaves enough space for another one like it, say Josh Smith?

James Harden-Monta Ellis-Jeremy Lin-Josh Smith-Chandler Parsons-Omer Asik = that would be a real contender with room to spare. Just an example.

I didn't realize that a lot of forum posters are actually ignorant and incapable of of discussion or argumentation. Just blurting things without much reasoning. Entertaining to say the least.

 

pardon the mis-posted the image

 

Uhmmm, because you need the ball in the hands of the scorer for him to score?

Uhmmm, have you also seen teams with multiple players who need the ball in their hands to do damage like the Heat, Lakers, Thunder, Nets, etc.?

It's something that you actually want to have since it's a strength.

I mean, really? Do you have to ask?

Poor Monta Ellis absolutely underrated and underestimated.

Contrary to popular belief, Monta Ellis is not a hopeless ball hog, He averages 6 assists per game as a shooting guard. And that you have to respect.

When paired with James Harden he'll be an absolute mismatch to the opposing PG, forcing the other team to adjust meaning opporunities for everybody else.

You have to admit it, Harden-Ellis is an elite scoring and playmaking 1-2 punch.

So easy to dismiss and proclaim as "bad idea!" or "it won't work!" but have you really analyzed or studied the merits of this idea?

Like I said, it would be an elite 3 guard rotation. And what's good about it is he ain't max money which means there is room for other key additions as well.

 

Why Monta Ellis can be considere an "efficient" scorer:

1. He makes a lot of point up close. Up close = high percentage shot
2. Speedy Gonzalez in transition. transition baskets = high percentege shot
3. Has a Tony Parker-esque burst to the basket. Lay ups and shots up close = high percentage shot
4. Mid range game. shots closer to the basket = higher percentage shots
5. Gets fouled, and goes to the stripe with a decent FT%. Freethrows = gimme's
6. Can post up smaller guards. Shots up close = higher percentage shot

When Monta attacks the basket and pulls up, defender's struggle to keep up, shuffling their feet. By the time Monta pulls up and takes the shot, most will not be able to get themselves to contest it or put a hand in his face with his quick hop and very high vertical. This is one of his most efficient scoring tools.

Monta actually has a back to the basket/post up game similar to Bonzi Wells where he utilizes a quick turnaround that leaves a defender watching.

How many players do you know have an elite scoring ability from the mid range and up close? I can only think of two, Tony Parker and Monta Ellis.

What's wrong with him now? Why has he become inefficient?:

1. He bombs away from long range too much. Long range = lower percentage shot.

Solution:

1. Utilize his strength in the mid range and up close scoring distances. Encourage him to do most of his damage up close.


Is defense a concern? No, absolutely not. Assigned as the smaller guard defender he'll be more than enough. As a shooting guard defender he manages, using his quickness as his main weapon. Not to mention the Alvin Robertson-esque high steals rate.

Rebounding will be an absolute plus.

Playmaking wise he's just a good a passer as James Harden. Furthermore in a team of great/good passers, he won't be needed in a John Stockton role.

You can't have James as the only elite scoring option. You need at least two.

You can't laugh at this idea. This proposition has it's merits.