He really hasn't been on a team where there was a strong second star to defer to though. I'm not trying to strongly defend him but it isn't like he has played with a Chris Paul, Lebron, Durant, Howard etc.
Allen Iverson?
What are you talking about? You realize the Melo/Amare experiment in NY never really even got started, right? They played like 1/2 a season together before Amare's knees started plaguing him and he missed season after season.
And when he's been healthy he comes off the bench, because he can't play with him! What are you talking about?
Moreover, if you actually watched the Knicks play you'd realize that the majority of your post was off-base and flat out false. Carmelo is a willing passer. When his teammates are open he hits them.
Just stop, if you want to say 'Melo is a great player, worth having, I have no problem with that. But don't start inventing something he is to prove why he's so great. 'Melo doesn't make guys around him better, and what is your definition of willing passer? What, because he's capable of passing the ball from time to time? He's flat out scorer. Bottom line. Hey, there's no shame in that, but a lot of times he will jeopardize others games just to 'get his'.
You complain about his defense,but have you ever thought that maybe his "poor" defense is a result of poor coaching?
No, because other players, younger ones on his team put in more effort defensively than him. His defense is lazy at best. And you mention Karl, the only time he resembled ANY defense at all, was under him, when they made it to the Western Conference game and got beat. You don't think Karl is a defensively coach, seriously? They were one of the best defensive teams in the West that year.
Just because a team pushed the tempo doesn't mean they're not capable of defending.
I never said Melo was LeBron or KD. All I'm saying is that he's an elite player and the shit he gets is completely unwarranted. We're talking about a guy who has a lot of playoff success.
You are kidding right?
Give him the ball and he will get a bucket. He's a walking mismatch against 90% of guys in the league. He can easily be the focal point of championship team.
You know, Jigo made the best case for him, and all that really needed to be said. He's a great scorer, I couldn't agree more. I was giving reasons why I wouldn't want him, and reasons why I would. I'd have to think long and hard, if I'd want him on my team, because I don't know which 'Melo I'm getting.
He's a great talent, he can flat out score. If he's willing to do some of the smaller things that are required of him, there's no doubt he makes a HUGE impact on any team. But for him that's a big 'what if' and I think you put him and Kyrie on the same team, you have mutiny ready to erupt.
'Melo is suffering from the Iverson syndrome. Great individual player, guy that individually is one of the best in the game, but his desire to fit in with his entire team at times has been lackluster at best.
There's 4 other guys you must play with on the floor. You got to co-exist with them too. Not just go solo.
EDIT: If I could ever see 'Melo in the perfect situation where he could be the player a lot hope he'd be, it'd be with the Spurs. I think 'Melo is more a "right situation" kind of player, that could be a monster beast. You put him on that team right now, I definitely think they would win it all. I don't think you can't build around him at all, but he needs to be in the right situation, with a disciplined coach that can get through to him, and a savvy veteran team like the Spurs.
I don't really think we're in that place. But let's be real, we're never going to get him either way, so it doesn't really matter.