That's a solid take, solid, but the kid's been working on his shot. Unlike Duval (who's shot has been described as "broken"), who went undrafted, Melton shot 70% from the charity stripe and has good form in general when shooting during games, so there is hope that he can improve his shot, in my opinion. Supposedly, he improved his 3 point shooting a lot during his "vacation," and we'll get a chance to see if that's true. I like the kid. I think he might grow on us.
Super hot take: Melton will lead us to the promised Land because of the decent game he just had in his second summer league. Thank you moreknee.
Nice call my friend. Great minds think alike. I put 5 names out there, so I didn’t call it exactly. Thread: “Random Houston Rockets Trade Ideas 2017-18.” —Oct 25, 2017.......post #812 June 14 @BigMaloe called Duval being a find in post #836 of the same thread. Keep up the good work
I called nothing. I had never heard of him prior. I did look up every mock draft I could find. And a majority of them had him in the middle of the 20's on average. With him sitting out an entire year perhaps Morey got a steal and he turns into a good bench player at some point soon.
It was a com0lex draft where players could go in the first round or drop in the draft. I had a feeling he would drop because of sitting out a year and his shooting woes in the one year he played. Without looking at what was said in the scouting reports, i felt like he reminded me of Avery Bradley. I’m a big fan of the things Avery Bradley does on the court. How many things All-Star games has Avery Bradley been to? Probably not many. Just like Ariza. Not many, but can be a good role player, glue guy, or as Shaq calls them, “others.” I. Saw him blocking out centers under the rim well, rebounding at its highest point among the trees (bigger players), he had excellent steal numbers per game, blocks while playing help defense and while on the move vs his own man......sometimes standing his own ground and not buying multiple pump fakes that would have had many up in the air, could put the ball on the ground and drive. Doesn’t need to get all the way to the rack to score as he looks comfortable shooting within 10 feet from different angles of attack. He slipped because no doubt he would be rusty and their were a lot of good players that presented less risk because they played against greater competition this past year. I remember when Carlos Beltran had his first go around with the Astros. They said he was a 5-tool player. Melton can be a 5-tool player eventually if he keeps working on his shooting. 1) rebounds 2) steals 3) blocks 4) all around defense like switching/jumping passing lanes/blocking out/tapping the ball back if he can’t get the rebound/deflections/trapping 5) all around offense like scoring off drives—floaters in the lane/ FT shooting/ setting picks/ 3-pt shooting/ transition points/assists. Not the Rockets fault people passed on him. Good player from where we drafted.
So what I’m saying is; if Melton can improve on #’s 4 & 5......we got a 15-tool player. Lol. Yea us. Duval has impressed me as well. One bad game does not take him out of the running for making it in the league, and Melton needs to continue getting better. I think he will as he continues knocking off the rust.
So is Melton our backup PG now?, I know our rotation doesn’t typically call for a PG as harden slots in there when CP leaves abd vis versa but I wonder if he will get any minutes considering his defensive effort
I don't know what's more crazy .. paying $372 for those springy running shoes or wanting Melton, Duval, and Hunter to make the team. Need a youth infusion. Need an Horry. Need a Sam.
Not sure if the question was directed to me or anyone in general. Many here clamor for conventional basketball players such as: big centers that post up, protect the rim...but they clog the paint while the facilitator (Harden/CP3) tries to drive.......Old school style. Nowadays you run greyhound centers who can run the floor & defend out on the perimeter. Lumbering Bulldog type centers are being shown the door. Moving to point guards, many here want the old school point guards who can handle the ball. Problem is the league has moved to wings about 6”7” because they can defend the smaller player while being able to switch to the bigger centers of today. Zone defenses have created this type of hybrid game. Before, during and after the Warriors series in the playoffs, many here have begged for a conventional point guard. Seems like Morey is bringing in more ball handlers; but not the small 6’1” point guard that can be posted up defensively. Instead one can see a form of a compromise: Melton 6’3” to 6’4” (plays bigger than he is).....not the amazing dribbler & assist guy; but can dribble & can give you assists. Duval 6’3” to 6’4” .......ditto. MCW 6’6”....................is a decent defender (probably better than G Green) & former PG. Might see him at SF with no Ariza/Luc MaM. Not much of a shooter (like Andre Roberson) but may turn out to be a better than avg defender (like Roberson). If Melo joins the team, I see Melo starting at PF while Tucker starts at SF. GG remains with the role last season, as 3rd string SF/(SG?). Question mark because CP3/Harden/Eric Gordon are 1st, 2nd and 3rd PG/SG’s. In chasing after LeBron and trying to find a trade partner for Ryan Anderson.....I’m guessing Eric Gordon’s name came up as part of a package deal. Thus the reason Houston drafted the bigger PG’s that have the potential to be better facilitators than Beverley.......and eventually approach Beverley 3-pt shooting. Remember Beverley was not a great 3-pt shooter initially. I don’t believe drafting Melton and bringing in Duval is meant to replace Eric Gordon immediately if he had been traded. GG would probably slide into that role. But one or both Melton/Duvall could receive the 2-way contracts or what I’m seeing called “Dual” contracts. Get some playing time with the G-League if need be. I mentioned Billy Preston and Metu as a posssible draft pick at #46. Metu went to the Spurs later. Melton/Edwards/Duval hints to me that the Rockets feel/felt Hartenstein might be ready to fill in as backup center (possibly ahead of Nene) this season. Rockets can do that since Tucker can play center and Ryan Anderson is still with the team. Ryno can be serviceable at Center during the regular season vs most teams. All of Harden/CP3/Melo had decent DRtg’s last year; but all three will/would be driving this offense to great heights. With no Ariza/Luc......Melton/Duval/MCW/Edwards/Gary Clark could be used for defense predominantly while being run off the 3-pt line & driving (better than Ariza......? Maybe?). All 3 would not be on the court at the same time......just sprinkled in with Melo.....Harden.....CP3 (if EGo gets hurt)......EGo (if CP3 gets hurt). Or check the waiver line & look for disgruntled players to trade for (as a better option or improvement). They give you deep depth while providing time to find better.....on the cheap.
