Would you consider Melo the 3rd best player in the NBA?

[KingzAndQueenz]

LeBron and Durant are way above, but Melo has been solidly doing his thing all season. Is Kobe still better? Is CP3? Howard? Don't think so. Westbrook? I can't really put anyone else besides those two above Melo at this point.

[truth serum]

I don't see how Durant is "way above".

[Big FatKAT]

This season it could be argued 2nd best easily I Dont see kd that much more dominant...

[E86]

Call me a homer but I'm not so sure Durant is better this particular season. Carmelo is definitely in his prime.

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[Fat Kat]

I'm curious as to why Durant is "way" better than Melo.

[j4remi]

Bron and Durant have an edge but I don't even think it's "way above" at this point. Melo's been just that good and if he can improve his FT percentage a bit the metric heads will have an equally efficient scorer for the conversation. If his assists can get a little bump the debate will be whether he's the best this season.

I think the fight for third best is interesting though. CP3 and Zach Randolph have had really great seasons and Tim Duncan might be playing his best basketball in a few years. Not to mention that Kobe has been incredible but his team's struggles hurt him in this discussion.

[frogfood]

KD is having the best season of his career.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/pla ... nke01.html

Traditional or advanced? He has Melo beat in both. "Way better" is a huge stretch though.

[KingzAndQueenz]

Although Melo has too, Durant has really stepped his game up this year with Harden out. He is averaging 4.3 assists so he has become a much better playmaker.

If you watch the games, Durant is always dishing now and keeping his scoring up at the same time. He's shooting 52% compared to Melo's 46% and averaging 2 rebounds more per game, along with 1.5 blocks and 1.5 steals.

He's all up on the stats, but simply watching the game it seems he has more impact on the way his team performs than Melo does.

Durant working wiht LeBron over the summer has really boosted his playmaking ability, I think. And Durant's shooting 90% from FT.

[br7knicks]

he should be in consideration. i think at this point in the season he is.

lebron and KD have an edge over him, not too significant like you stated, but they are definitely better than melo right now in the season

[suicidedeuce]

Don't care if he's the 3rd, 13th, or 30th best player in the league.

So long as the Knicks are fighting for the best record in the league, it's all irrelevant.

[NoLayupRule]

I too am fine with both Melo and the team being "underrated" but IMO Melo is on par with both LBJ and Durant. And he's above the rest.

But he won't get the respect he deserves until we are knocking on the door of the finals.

Melo gets us to the ECF on his strong play and he's gonna get a lot more notice.

Truth is however that the thing that's gonna take Melo to the next level is Amare. He can't do this alone. He needs a 2nd star

[gavran]

What Durant is doing this season is historical. He is clearly above Melo.

[Big FatKAT]

Efff is historical?

[Knicker23]

I'd say James is the clear best player....

Durant the less clear 2nd best. He does do everything a little better than Melo tho, in terms of FG% (.515:.457), Pts (26.9:26.4), Rbs (8.7:6.7), assists (4.3:2.1), & efficiency (+30:+21)..... And from the eye test, KD seems faster, flashier, better FT... younger. Melo's got the 'bully' aspect and ability to do work in the paint that KD doesn't really have as much.... Even Melo's hot 3p streak still leaves him a few pts below Durant, 43:45..

I don't think it's a huge gap though. I have no problem riding behind Melo going up against KD, or even James for that matter... But I think KD's all around efficiency has been pretty startling. He seems to also be taking a James approach where he's making an effort to do other things (assist rb) and then score in bunches in his spots.... An approach I'd say Melo is taking as well.

[Thugger HBC]

For this season so far, yes.

But that's only considering this season only.

[SonOfMars]

I would give Durant the edge over Melo, I would say Bron and Durant are 1 & 2, 3rd is definitely up for grabs though.

I wouldnt say he is wayy better, but how some are you are downplaying Durant is mind-boggling. Durant is averaging more points on better FG%, more rebounds, twice as many assist, his numbers are better across the board. Not to mention, even though he's the first option...he's taking the 2nd most shots on his team ( )

Not "way" better, but the nod definitely goes to KD

[StephNYKurry]

Just off the top of my head, the players I'd take before Melo are Lebron, KD, and CP3. Rondo is debatable but I'd take Melo over pretty much everyone else.

[BOOMbip]

All this rating of things is getting silly. Whadafockeva...the Knicks are winning. But carry on...this is a forum and discussion is what this is all about. It's just that is what my opinion is on it...don't care about it.

[gavran]

Efff is historical?

Efff is definitely not historical, efff isn't even a word actually. Durant, on the other hand, is doing something only 2 players did before him. Only Barkley and Dantley scored this efficiently, on volume this high (Dantley did it for 2 consecutive seasons). That is the definition of historical.

[fresko024]

i would say so..KD and LBJ but then it's gotta be Kevin Love and then Melo...