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Melo is playing his azz off on the defensive end. Wow! I am so impressed. Remember there was a time many thought this was impossible. Keep it up Melo!!!

I credit this man

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZYce-dURmI[/youtube]

BIG UP TO ALL MY HATERS!!

Melo's definitely putting in more effort. His issue is continuing to do it over a large number of games.

No more short spurts. No more taking games off. Hopefully, he continues to show the effort over the course of the season.

It's part effort but he's also just doing a much better job overall. I believe in it. He's done it every game so far. The key thing is he has a coach who constantly harps about that end of the court.

Yeah, Melo talked a lot in the off-season and so far he's backing it up.

I give some credit to Woodson, but the majority to Melo cause at the end of the day he's responsible for his own performances good and bad. That is why I was critical of him in the past and so impressed with him right now.

He's been pretty much the best player on the court every game so far. That's impressive.

PornDoc wrote:He's been pretty much the best player on the court every game so far. That's impressive.

Especially when you consider the players he's shared the floor with in this short span. Comparatively, a lot of teams with records similar to our own have had the benefit of playing weaker opposition.

Always thought Melo was a average/below average defender with the potential to be a good defender. Nothing close to great or elite......but goddamn he has shocked me this year. Wow.

Hemispheres wrote:Yeah, Melo talked a lot in the off-season and so far he's backing it up.

I give some credit to Woodson, but the majority to Melo cause at the end of the day he's responsible for his own performances good and bad. That is why I was critical of him in the past and so impressed with him right now.

Yeah you have to give Melo a ton of credit. He's taken a step forward as a player. I've never questioned Melo's ability to defend, just his desire to do so on a consistent basis. Woodson definitely deserves some credit there; the whole team is motivated on defense.

there's a God Damn post game thread.

and he's fouling too much to go along with good D

wish he wud stop bitching bout calls and rub back on D

I have been blown away by carmelo this season. Defense and leadership have been the 2 biggest knocks on him. And he has done those things under woodson. Not just improving them. But taking them to a point where he is going to lose the "just a scorer" tag.

Another thing he has done is prove that numbers dont tell the story. Most of us know that anyway. But his assist numbers are in no way a reflection of his willingness to pass. Honestly, he could take risks passing the ball for numbers if he wished. But he is hitting the guy who can hit the guy.

He improved right away under woodson last season. But this season he looks like a stopper at times. Just amazing work from carmelo. I think he has even more talent to show. And if wishes, can elevate even further as a player.

Some guys need a fresh start to begin evolving. I did not think carmelo was one of those guys. I thought this was a what you see is what you get type deal. From the very beginning I saw more. His 3 point shooting was better than I thought. His passing was way above my expectations. Early in this season I am seeing even more improvement.

I was talking to a guy over here who is a knick fan. (rare down here) He asked me what I thought about carmelo. I said "I dont think I have ever seen him dive for a ball. I have seen him lay down on the free throw line while players step around him. And I saw him start a fight then run away. He's good at what he does. I just question his motives."

That night he stripped a ball from a guy. Then dived on the floor for it. He also jumped into the stands for another play he forced. Landed on fans and got a drink on him. I was just speechless. This guy is earning my respect with this hard work to win.

kane2021 wrote:
Some guys need a fresh start to begin evolving. I did not think carmelo was one of those guys. I thought this was a what you see is what you get type deal. From the very beginning I saw more. His 3 point shooting was better than I thought. His passing was way above my expectations. Early in this season I am seeing even more improvement.

word.

and i think people who don't watch knick games are always going to look at him with the shooter-only stigma, unfortunately. but we know the truth. and our win totals will reflect it.

Woodson does not care who you are he will get in your face if your not playing D. Melo also respects him as a coach. He endorsed him to be the head coach of the Knicks. I remember last year Stoudemire let Bargiani blow by him for a dunk and Woodson immediately got on his face for letting that happen.

I think this guy is a Melo hater but he seems like a knowledgeable guy and I respect his analysis. Not sure if everyone has seen this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CxAlIaV ... re=g-all-u

His videos are pretty good. I can see people here getting upset easily. FWIW he seems like a Westbrook hater but that's kind of justified.

Not sure how you can disagree with any of his points in that video.

While I'm impressed with Melo's defense as well, let me offer the other side of this argument. Melo, who is a 9 year veteran, All-Star and one of the stars of the NBA's biggest stars, is NOW just starting to play defense? I mean, now that we know he CAN play defense, wtf took him so long to START playing defense?

All that said, I am glad that he has decided to play defense. I guess is doesn't hurt to have three other players on the team who have won NBA rings.

HawthorneWingo wrote:While I'm impressed with Melo's defense as well, let me offer the other side of this argument. Melo, who is a 9 year veteran, All-Star and one of the stars of the NBA's biggest stars, is NOW just starting to play defense? I mean, now that we know he CAN play defense, wtf took him so long to START playing defense?

All that said, I am glad that he has decided to play defense. I guess is doesn't hurt to have three other players on the team who have won NBA rings.

To answer in short...Accountability.

j4remi wrote:

HawthorneWingo wrote:While I'm impressed with Melo's defense as well, let me offer the other side of this argument. Melo, who is a 9 year veteran, All-Star and one of the stars of the NBA's biggest stars, is NOW just starting to play defense? I mean, now that we know he CAN play defense, wtf took him so long to START playing defense?

All that said, I am glad that he has decided to play defense. I guess is doesn't hurt to have three other players on the team who have won NBA rings.

To answer in short...Accountability.

I would like you to expand on that if possible.

edit: VV Thanks man, appreciate the thoughtful reply.