Melo obvious works offensively as a PF. The questions pop up defensively, rebounding. The NBA isn't the same as the Olympics. Certainly many of those Olympic teams could be competitive in the NBA, but an equal if not bigger number would be D/G League esque teams with one or two NBAers on them at best. I think Melo can hang defensively at the 4 in a half court game. I'm not sold on him being a good enough rebounder, or good enough defensively to help prevent that extra 4 points a night in the fast break game. Meaning Draymond and KD are better rebounders, and Draymond in particular is such a better defender. All that said... who cares?? The Rockets aren't getting Draymond. Or KD. Or Lebron. Perhaps they should have gone after Paul Millsap hard instead of Melo hard. I can at least see that argument. But I think that argument ends with the obvious... Millsap is just Draymond-lite in every way. So the thing I appreciate about the Rockets approach is that it isn't saying "let's copy GSW as best we can". CP3/Harden/Melo would play a differently style of ball than the GSW. There's no chance they are as good defensively... but perhaps their offensive talents, and their different style, can cause problems for the GSW.
no my post was simply a response. you're trying to point out how melo apparently can't guard these "bigger pf's" when melo is actually the one bullying them on nights. your idea of what melo is going to be doing here isn't exactly on the right track
Putting him on the bigger ones in the playoffs? No, I am doubtful. Educate me what do you envision for his role on both ends?
I'm still waiting on these "bigger ones" that you keep referencing. Did shaq or yao come out of retirement or something. or anyone that legitimately plays big on a nightly basis
Agree mostly, but CP3 is up for renewal next year ... there could be a risk there. I know they are buddies.
He's a really good defender at the 4 especially around the rim where he uses quick hands to swat shots and passes. Really unconventional approach. In the pick n Roll he'll hedge and get back or switch, depending on the scheme, I'm unsure what the Rockets employ. Rebounding wise he averaged 7-8 at the 4 under Woodson so he'll rebound. You maybe want that number closer to 9/10 just because it looks better but as long as he's not letting his man grab offensive boards then you should be fine with him there.
Pffffst, of course, almost anybody at that position is better defensively than Anderson. But ... Anderson is quite. Just saying ...
Just saying that the risk of this not working is solely his willingness to sacrifice to win, not his ability. He's an upgrade over Anderson in all aspects of the game. If he has a bad matchup defensively Tucker/Nene can spell him on that end for a bit.
What's this animosity? It's not like you said more than Huh, you are not on the right track ... David Aldridge killed us in that Spurs series, the big boys up in the NOLA, Wolves killed us last year Am I the only one think this is at least debatable?
Yeah, I'm not sure I'd call him a really good defender at any position, but he's generally better at the 4 than 3 across the board. At this point if he arrives, it's just a matter of how they potentially compare against a couple of teams. Warriors, Cavs, Spurs... maybe Thunder and Celtics. The only one that really matters is the GSW and I don't think they'd be the favorite against the Warriors unless they added Melo and another Melo like player and even then maybe not... so its a gamble you just have to take. Random aside - listed the Thunder above because they are such a crapshoot depending on the style of play that Russ employs next year. If he can figure out a way to be more efficient and have better chemistry with his #2 guy, they can be very very good again, because the rest of those guys are actually above average role players if the stars are in place.
I'm a bit worried about his defense . I'm not sure he's got the athleticism right now to stick with some of the higher leaping 4's. Anderson for all his athletic faults , was willing to do the dirty work and box out as best he could .
No he's really good at the defending from the 4 spot, no hyperbole. His quick hands and feet shine there and he can bang with bigger guys as well.
And it was a joke back........now it's an and 1 joke cuz you didn't get the joke. Watch for pels and diaw as well as blazers and diaw.
What's the point of an analysis based on the idea that every player has to be perfect? It's the equivalent of focusing on Draymond Green being a piss poor defender or Steph Curry being a worthless defender. That doesn't say anything about how those players fit on their teams or how their teams fit in the NBA. We were the second best offensive team in the NBA, but still not too close to the Warriors. Replacing Beverley and Anderson with Paul and Melo puts us on par with them at least. We are also going to improve defensively. I believe we would have done that even if we made no changes to the roster. Replacing Dekker, Beverley and Anderson with Tucker, Paul and Melo is a pretty decent defensive upgrade. Won't get us close to the Warriors, who were 2nd best defensively. But I think it will get us into the top 10. I believe MDA can create a better offense than Kerr. We have to close the gap between us by getting more out of our offensive parts than they do. Morey and MDA basically invented what those guys are running. I'll bet my money on pioneers over copy cats any day.
