Please work on the Ryan Anderson as an Elite stretch 4 breakdown and send it to all 29 others teams and GM's
After watching this video, I can understand why Morey is going after this guy. We're gonna be very good with CP3 and Harden penetrating, Melo scoring. Note that this was just last year with Team USA.
To me the real benefit of having a third offensive weapon like Melo is the production he can bring to our second and third units. The game is truly won in the dull moments of the 2nd and 3rd quarter when the starters are resting. One of the Warriors keys to success is their 2nd unit. When Curry and Durant are on the bench, Thompson, Iguodala, and Livingston typically go to work on the opponent's almost always inferior bench. That's where the bulk of scoring that leads to +120 ppg is achieved. This is the biggest reason why Cavs lost. When LeBron went to the bench, Cavs offensive production was atrocious. Same goes for Harden against the Spurs and Westbrook against us. Now the Rockets can do the same as the Warriors. D'Antoni has already said that he's going to stagger minutes between Harden and Paul so that there is always one playmaker on the floor at all time. Now imagine Melo added to this mix. There will be times when Melo is on the floor by himself with Gordon, Tucker, and Nene against the weakest bench players the opponent has. That's where the game will be won in the trenches.
Yeah, I agree. Capela needs to work on his hands more than anything if you ask me. He tends to bobble passes to him in the lane. Especially with Paul there knowing how to get him good passes, he needs vacuum up every single ball that's aimed towards and then take it the hoop strong. That's what will make defenders have to choose between guarding him or the perimeter and will open up cracks to exploit. He's got to be the threat down low that draws off defenders. He also needs to work on his free throws, or he'll just be fouled on every attempt at a score. If he can be a worry to the other team down low, it will open up Melo to shoot and James to drive.
Melo could be our 5 in death ball if we keep EGo. Paul/EGo/Harden/Melo/Ariza Melo is a full time 4 here with minutes at the 5 in death ball. Op, your bud don't know what he's talking about.
I think that is lost in all of the talk. It kind of surfaced with CP but attention quickly turned to Melo. CP has that stop and pop from the free throw line that from the eyeball test I'd say he makes about 75% of em. It's damned near automatic. I refer to it like a possession receiver in football, a TE. "Moving the chains" it isn't a big shot like a 3 or easy shot like the free throws but it keeps the score moving, keeps the momentum rolling, etc. If CP can fill the inevitable 5 minute cold spell the Rockets have once a quarter they'll be unreal. Same for Melo's post up game. Another chain mover won't hurt, a post game won't hurt, the ability to play inside/out ball won't hurt. The DMo-fiasco of 2016 left us without a real post threat and I honestly believe it hurt the team in the long run. They became one dimensional, predictable and Harden burned out. When hitters have seen the fastball enough, they'll key on it. Throw em the change. Throw em the curve. Harden can still be the fastball but now it's not the only pitch the Rockets have. Am I intertwining enough sports cliches and metaphors yet? lol... This team is going to be unstoppable.
The problem having Melo at is more about defense, but offense is also a concern. Offensively many have pointed out that he is capable of playing 4 stretching, creating all that. OK. But can he play defense against the bigger PFs night in and night out. Most important, will he accept that role? Doubtful. Also, if all we want from him is an upgraded Ryan Anderson, meaning producing when needed to, but otherwise generally just wait for either CP3 or Harden to kick out ... will he accept that? Throughout his career, he has shown he needs to be the Alpha male to play well. Now he may change at this stage of career after 4-5 year nightmare in NKC. But people's character die hard. I am skeptical.
not sure where this is all coming from. last i checked melo isn't some undersized wing. in fact he is the one bullying guys down low at times
So you ask him to bully the bigger 4s and not having the ball going through him on the other end every night? That's going to work?
No? That sounded like the job description yall want for him. It's not that whether he is better than Ryno. To me is whether will it work and not screw up our future.
your post wasn't clear and it still isn't. you're welcome to clarify if you need further explanations
My point was that it sounded you want him to bully the PFs on other teams on the defensive end and play from the 3pt line on the offensive end waiting for his turns (meaning he wont touch the ball in every possession). Will he accept that?
It was inferior competition BECAUSE Team USA was chock full of all-stars, but that was NOT the point I was making. The point I was making was how he played as a stretch 4 with a bunch of other alpha males. He stayed on the perimeter and made the necessary hockey passes. He took his man off the dribble when he had the mismatch. Point is, Melo can play with other superstars off the ball and was shown to be willing. His whole career, he's never had to play with another alpha superstar, unless you are seriously counting Stoudamire, so one can't say that he can't mesh or defer to another alpha.
