It's not cliched to make the playoffs argument, but it's wrong to think that a single player wills his team in to the playoffs. I won't deny that Anthony can be clutch at times because of his ability to score in the paint and draw fouls, but Carmelo has always been on better teams than Ellis ever has. The best player(s) Ellis has ever played with are Curry (who is ALWAYS hurt) and David Lee (who is basically a 29 yr old Scola). Those are good players, but no one to brag about. In contrast, Melo has played with Camby, JR Smith, Allen Iverson, Billups, Afflalo, Kenyon Martin, etc. Also not outstanding players (sans Billups), but guys who helped make up for Carmelo's inadequacies (like defense, outside shooting) and formed a TEAM capable of making the playoffs. Ellis hasn't had the opportunity to show what he can do in the playoffs, so there's no telling if he could explode on a team once or twice to win them a close game. The career totals #s are also not great, considering Melo has had a longer career and was a higher pick in the draft (and subsequently would get more touches / opportunities to score). In my mind, a 5ppg difference in their time in the NBA, to me, doesn't create enough separation (esp considering the lower fg% issue) for someone who is arguably a top 10 player (Melo, and he's definitely not top 10, maybe top 20) and someone who is flirting with top 40.
I'll give it a shot, in a semi-particular order, lol: Lebron... or if you asked Chris Broussard, Lebraaan. Durant Howard Kobe Paul Rose Wade Rondo Westbrook Love -- although I have a bit of trouble putting him here. A top 10 player should be able to carry a team to the Playoffs with a HoF coach and a solid cast of role players. Just missed the list still in order: Parker, Bynum, Melo, Dridge, BScal
No way is an old Nash better than Rondo especially since Nash is a defensive liability. Westbrook, D Will, and Parker are about a wash with Rondo. Rose should not even be in the discussion. Dude has a torn ACL and won't be back for a while.
1 Tim Duncan 2 Kevin Garnett 3 Jason Kidd 4 Kobe Bryant 5 Shaquille O’Neal 6 Tracy McGrady 7 Allen Iverson 8 Paul Pierce 9 Dirk Nowitzki 10 Shawn Marion
Here is mine Lamb Lin Dmo White Morris Parsons Asik Z.Dragic Williams and whoe ever else makes the roster Yes i Left patterson off on purpose.
What solid cast? When he had Pekovic and Rubio, the Wolves were playoff hunters. I know they held the eighth seed at one point. But then Rubio and Pekovic got injured, and everyone else on the Wolves is CRAP. As in, I wouldn't take any of them on the Rockets today for free. None of them.
