[ClutchFans] Not much to dislike about the Rockets signing Carmelo Anthony

Sports show talking heads IQ decreases every time they open their pie hole. They are wrong FAR more often than they are right...about just about anything. Yet people keep listening. The average fan has a much better take than most talking heads. Heck, the average drunk fan has a much better take than most of them.

So, hearing something like this actually indicates it is likely a very positive move. Recall that they all said what a powerhouse OKC was going to be when they acquired George and Melo. Wrong then, wrong now.

 

*IF* The rockets win 60+ games goes back to the Western conference Finals or even a Championship
WITH Melo playing a significant role

What kind of contract does Melo get the following year??
This is a shot for him to get one last PayDay

Rocket River

 

It is highly likely that CP3 and Gordon miss chunks of time with injury next year. Having an extra scorer in Melo will be invaluable. We all saw what happens when Harden sits and the 2nd team (sans Paul) just stands around passing the ball around the 3 point line until there's 2 seconds left on the shot clock

 

[ClutchFans] Not much to dislike about the Rockets signing Carmelo Anthony
_______

@YOLO

 

Melo is 34 now and there are signs that his game has started to deteriorate.
He will be 35 when the playoffs roll around.
I hope Melo becomes a team player and plays within the boundaries of his role in the same way that Clint Capela does or Trevor Ariza did.

I would certainly expect the Rockets to pay him the mid-level exception next year and maybe more if he plays well.
However, I would let a 35 year old Melo walk if he wants more than 10 to 12 per year, especially considering the deterioration in his game.

 

Being a glass half full kind of guy, I expect Melo to be the 2nd highest scorer on the team next year, slightly ahead of CP3. Now that Harden has that MVP to add to his resume I would expect that his mission now is to win a ring, that should make a difference in his game a little.

We know Melo chooses to come to Houston, has a better team around him than OKC and has his friend CP3 to help his transition. My biggest concern is not his age it is his relationship with D'Antoni. Looks like peace has been made between them for now at least. I think he will and has already accepted his role on the Rockets and still WANTS to come here. I think the doom and gloom and "cancer" thing is overrated, he had other options.

 

I am one of the 18 no votes....We happy few...

 

My point is . .. there is a reason for him to play hard and try

Rocket River

 

oh there wasn't before?

 

The sports media in a nutshell...

Summer 2017: Melo traded to Thunder | "BRILLIANT move by the Thunder. They immediately become the team most likely to take down Golden State."

Summer 2018: Melo signs with Rockets | "TERRIBLE move by the Rockets. Not enough balls for all these ballhogs. They'll finish behind the Warriors, Lakers, Jazz and Thunder."

 

let's hope they continue being wrong, I love being the underdog and shut everyone up. Like last season "CP3 was the biggest loser DERRR"

 

not really
He knew he was getting 28 and 29 million last year and this year
He had no say in where he played
He wasn't overly happy at all

I think he will be happier here

Rocket River

 

he actually did and accepted it last year

 

Rockets were always his choice but he settled for OKC because Knicks wouldn't take Anderson and he really wanted out of New York.

 

hmmm. I thought the 2nd half of the season we won more than the 1st half.

 

We talk about how Melo has humbled because of last season, he will learn to play team ball, to his strengths, etc, that he needs to play well to get a last shot at a big contract, paul, harden will fix him. The problem is that Melo is stupid. He will do what he does and then blame other people for it. He will blame the team for not having the right strategy to integrate his talents, he will scoff at giving up minutes or starting spot. He will mope and look pissed having to sit when he can't stay with the other teams on defense.

But he's cheap.

 

It has nothing to do with money and everything to do with who else was on the team with Carmelo.

Remember Chauncey Billups?

The few good years that Carmelo had where the team also played well in the playoffs was when Carmelo was in Denver and they also had Chauncey Billups on the team.

Despite Carmelo's scoring and George Karl coaching the team, their season winning percentage and playoff success really should be attributed to Chauncey.

Why?
It was Chauncey who had a a passion for winning and provided maturity, mentor-ship and leadership.
He also lead by example by playing defense and team ball, forcing everyone else to do the same.
Remember, Chauncey won a championship with Detroit so he had some credibility and guys followed his lead.

If Carmelo does not have another player on the team that provides focus and leadership, then Carmelo becomes a me first player and a liability.
This is what we saw with Carmelo when he played in New York and Oklahoma City.
But Carmelo can be a huge asset for the Rockets if he has strong willed team-mates that force him to play team ball.
He won't listen to coaches (i.e. George Karl in Denver and when Mike D'Antoni in New York).
However, he will listen to team-mates and since Chris Paul is mentally tough and hates losing, I think Chris Paul will keep Carmelo focused on winning.

 

100% This!