I swear, Melo hasn't changed much. He is less explosive and he hasn't grown to be a versatile player. All he does is shoot and rebound, and the occasional drive. His passes come when he is stuck, some are pretty good but he could do way better given his talent. Oh yeah, he dunks less.
Yeah this is not a good look at all. There is a good chance Melo wouldn't have worked in the starting lineup if he was a Rocket. I don't see him making the sacrifice Ryno did by giving up the starting job to PJ. That could have sent ripple effects throughout the locker room especially with MDA.
Is there any chance the Rockets can keep CP3, Capela, AND add Paul George? He is like a super rich man’s Ariza.
The problem with WB is what most people are coming to terms with: the guy is a ball hog. The eye test doesnt lie. It seems like he dribbles forever and takes shots whenever he has a look, no matter how badly he's covered. By this point in his career it has become a feature of his game. No great player has been able to continue playing the way WB does and have any sustained playoff success, and I remember when WB and KD melted down vs. GSW a few years ago, it literally felt like they were alternating iso attempts on offense. Now, the good news is that plenty of other players have had this tendency and learned to get over it - Lebron, Jordan, etc. Even Harden who is now much more of a passer than he was when Dwight was here. Presti needs to figure out the right supporting cast for Russ and who he can gel with - Morey *just* figured it out with Harden last year, and was able to build on that this year. A supporting cast that knows its role, is confident, plays to WB's strength, etc. with a coaching system that forces him to pass and play unselfishly. We are fortunate that Harden has been criticized the way he has - it has made his game better, and forced him to take defense more seriously, play offense without expecting a foul, and pass to his teammates. Russ needs something similar. Unfortunately, his demeanor does not suggest a willingness to change, and the Thunder brass are still struggling to understand his game...
wow Melo... He just doesn’t get it. D-Wade, who’s won 3 titles, been a much better player throughout his career, and doesn’t even look as washed as u do can come off the bench, but u want to act like you’re too good for that. Smh
Melo is not a better spot up shooter than Anderson. He is of course much better than Anderson in other offensive skills. But he's not the shooter Ryno is. I don't buy the "he would be better if he played for the Rockets" argument. Yes, he probably would. But do we really need his other offensive skills so desperately when we have Harden and Paul, so desperate that we are willing to risk his baggage such as not willing to sacrifice for the team?
i think i made this same point during the season about wade. not only came off the bench, but volunteered to come off the bench. 3 games into the season!
The fact that Melo does not have enough self awareness to recognize he would be better off the bench is staggering. I mean, his friend Dwyane Wade recognized it. My prediction now with Melo is he picks up his option and then gets bought out. I don't see him back in OKC. Melo COULD have a role on the Rockets as a bench scorer but NOT as a starter. Certainly not over PJ Tucker. Melo needs to reflect this offseason. What teams are going to start him? Not sure where the landing spot is in a starting role. Regarding Paul George, Windhorst floated the idea of PG trade to Cleveland. I could see OKC biting on that if OKC sees PG could "leave for nothing." Something like the #8 pick and George Hill. Or PG for Love. Love was Westbrook's teammate at UCLA. I could see LeBron trying to find a way to stay Cleveland and get a sidekick upgrade. Presti would be thankful to get something for PG if he was moving on. They have so little assets.
Some people have no self awareness, it's not like it's only basketball players are like that, you can tell some people sky is blue and yet its every other way around to the them, it's just how it is. Dude thinks he has done everything he could to help the team win, and i don't think anyone will convince him otherwise. But it should be fun next year watching him and Westbrook without PG having all kinds of meltdowns, man if they don't make playoffs next year that be:
Watching that conference, can't help be reminded that he chose okc by waiving his ntc. Murphy dodged this one just like portions.
I read it as he wouldn’t come off the bench for OKC. I would be shocked if somehow he landed on Houston and wasn’t content w/ being the dominant PF off the bench we’ve been looking for. Sounds like PG would be very content staying in OKC.
