YEP Houston has been one of the NBA's worst defenses (Cleveland's 118.5 points per 100 possessions is dead last in the league) with Melo, and the stingiest defense (Boston leads the NBA at 98.9 points per 100 possessions) when he sits this season. Small-sample-size theater, but still. -ESPN
For our stats guys here....mind providing any context to this? Cause we also have stats that say he's been a good iso defender...so idk? Is his help/off ball defense or is it the lineups?
You can't argue he wasn't part of it... or affecting the culture of the team. Replacing Ariza with Melo was a huge mistake. You replace Ariza with a blue collar defensive enforcer, not a ball hogging egotistical me-first untalented version of Westbrook.
He's HORRIFIC as a team defender. Always lost, always slow and doesn't box out. His closeouts are TERRIBLE if they ever happen.
Ariza was replaced by Ennis. Pretty much a blue collar defensive guy. Pretty solid replacement if you ask me. Probably a good reason our without Melo defense is so damn good this year. Literally no drop off from last years starters.
I think I need to watch him more closely. But I do know for sure he needs to box out more sheesh, are rebounding is terrible.
Signing Melo in the "sign my buddy" mentality is akin to what Lebron did in Cleveland in the previous offseason or Doc getting Austin Rivers for the Clips.
this is absolutely not true. he does box out. he's not always lost. yes he's a bit slow on the perimeter. and his closeouts have been serviceable, though a little late. to say "if they ever happen" just shows you're either not watching the game or your a hater. he's busting his ass out there.
Except we didn't replace Ariza with Melo. We replaced him with Ennis. We replaced Ryno with Melo. Melo sucks on D, but so did Ryno.
This is also blatant cherry-picking. Houston's defense is a pretty stout with Melo off the floor (98.6 def rtg), but what they failed to tell you is the offense is pretty horrible with him off the floor as well (98.6 off rtg). The presence of Michael Carter Williams has impacted the team far more than Melo, but thankfully he's already out of the rotation. Rockets with MCW on the court has an OFF RTG of 96.4 and DEF RTG of 116.3. Easily the worst NET RTG (-19.9) among players that were in our main rotation. Melo having to play on the court with MCW is what screwed him over.
Why do people keep insisting that Melo replace Ariza? I don't get it. We used to have this guy named Ryan Anderson who played the same position as Melo. Ryan Anderson is gone and Melo is here. Maybe Melo replaced Anderson?! Nah, that doesnt fit the Melo hater narrative. Melo must have replaced Ariza then. Nevermind...
