Around the NBA - First Round Blessings and Curses

[3toheadmelo]

Thank you Tatum for not letting Brooklyn get a sweep

Took on three stars and had to be on god mode just to squeeze out a win. I remember when Melo had to do this versus the Heatles.

People forget how good he was in the playoffs. It’s too bad he had no help

Watch on YouTube

[Chanel Bomber]

Thank you Tatum for not letting Brooklyn get a sweep

Took on three stars and had to be on god mode just to squeeze out a win. I remember when Melo had to do this versus the Heatles.

People forget how good he was in the playoffs. It’s too bad he had no help

Watch on YouTube

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

[3toheadmelo]

Took on three stars and had to be on god mode just to squeeze out a win. I remember when Melo had to do this versus the Heatles.

People forget how good he was in the playoffs. It’s too bad he had no help

Watch on YouTube

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

[Worst_to_First]

People forget how good he was in the playoffs. It’s too bad he had no help

Watch on YouTube

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

That’s why I really liked Tatum in the 2017 draft. I really saw in him what Melo could have been if he had worked on the other aspects of the game.

[Chanel Bomber]

People forget how good he was in the playoffs. It’s too bad he had no help

Watch on YouTube

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

[3toheadmelo]

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

That’s why I really liked Tatum in the 2017 draft. I really saw in him what Melo could have been if he had worked on the other aspects of the game.

Still blows my mind how majority of this board didn’t want Tatum

[El Poochio]

If Rick Carlisle is a magician Ty Lue is the rabbit that comes out of the hat

[3toheadmelo]

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

I honestly think Randle is shook by the crowd. We’ve seen him destroy teams while getting triple teamed so many times this year. He would make quick decisions and he knew what he wanted to do every time. Now he looks super nervous. I’m chalking it up to first playoffs jitters. Just gotta hope he bounces back Sunday or at least next year if it comes to that.

[El Poochio]

Not a slight against Randle but Melo was on another level. He was a MUCH more dynamic offensive player.

B-ball is not a game where the best player is the one who ticks the most boxes. If that were the case, Ben Simmons would be a better player than Dirk Nowitzki.

The Knicks offense was much more dynamic with Melo surrounded by shooters (and without Amar'e blocking the way) than with Randle.

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

Randle played like a big wing this season minus the playoffs

[Chanel Bomber]

Kawhi vs Luka is the weirdest rivalry ever.

It's like they're the only people left in this world not to know they're rivals.

[Chanel Bomber]

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

Randle played like a big wing this season minus the playoffs

Yeah but he's not a wing like Kawhi, Tatum, Bron, Durant, Melo, Doncic or even Pandemic P.

These guys can run the pick-and-roll and drive-and-dish. They can get to the rim from the perimeter with more ease than Randle. Randle lacks the speed and handle to do it effectively with any consistency. That's why you see him more often than not isolating or posting up. And if he's involved in the pick-and-roll, 95% of the time he's the roll man.

You know what I mean?

[Chanel Bomber]

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

I honestly think Randle is shook by the crowd. We’ve seen him destroy teams while getting triple teamed so many times this year. He would make quick decisions and he knew what he wanted to do every time. Now he looks super nervous. I’m chalking it up to first playoffs jitters. Just gotta hope he bounces back Sunday or at least next year if it comes to that.

No for sure, he's definitely not as bad as he's shown in these playoffs. But playoff basketball is ultimately what matters, and I think it's a problem for Randle. As the team's engine, he should be able to be the ball-handler in the pick-and-roll or be dominant inside. He's neither.

You can get away with it in the regular season, but in the playoffs? I am a little skeptical.

[Worst_to_First]

Tatum is more like Melo than Randle is. But with defense and better playmaking

That’s why I really liked Tatum in the 2017 draft. I really saw in him what Melo could have been if he had worked on the other aspects of the game.

Still blows my mind how majority of this board didn’t want Tatum

That was strange I didn’t really understand what was not to like about him. At the very least he had a high floor.

[Ghetto Gospel]

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

Randle played like a big wing this season minus the playoffs

Yeah but he's not a wing like Kawhi, Tatum, Bron, Durant, Melo, Doncic or even Pandemic P.

These guys can run the pick-and-roll and drive-and-dish. They can get to the rim from the perimeter with more ease than Randle. Randle lacks the speed and handle to do it effectively with any consistency. That's why you see him more often than not isolating or posting up. And if he's involved in the pick-and-roll, 95% of the time he's the roll man.

You know what I mean?

Strangely, he kinda operates in the same spots as Melo. They like getting the ball at the elbow in the triple threat with some post ups here and there. Melo got by with more skill and randle with more physicality.

[Chanel Bomber]

Randle played like a big wing this season minus the playoffs

Yeah but he's not a wing like Kawhi, Tatum, Bron, Durant, Melo, Doncic or even Pandemic P.

These guys can run the pick-and-roll and drive-and-dish. They can get to the rim from the perimeter with more ease than Randle. Randle lacks the speed and handle to do it effectively with any consistency. That's why you see him more often than not isolating or posting up. And if he's involved in the pick-and-roll, 95% of the time he's the roll man.

You know what I mean?

Strangely, he kinda operates in the same spots as Melo. They like getting the ball at the elbow in the triple threat with some post ups here and there. Melo got by with more skill and randle with more physicality.

You're right.

But Melo was a more complete offensive player. He could run the pick-and-roll from the middle of the floor and find shooters on the wings or in the corners. His pull-up from 3 was also better. He was more effective in transition as well. He just covered more ground, and had more options to rely on if his ISO game at the elbow wasn't working.

[Worst_to_First]

Mook should save some of his powers for the next game.

[dakomish23]

Read on Twitter

I never get tired off this gif.

[Ghetto Gospel]

Yeah but he's not a wing like Kawhi, Tatum, Bron, Durant, Melo, Doncic or even Pandemic P.

These guys can run the pick-and-roll and drive-and-dish. They can get to the rim from the perimeter with more ease than Randle. Randle lacks the speed and handle to do it effectively with any consistency. That's why you see him more often than not isolating or posting up. And if he's involved in the pick-and-roll, 95% of the time he's the roll man.

You know what I mean?

Strangely, he kinda operates in the same spots as Melo. They like getting the ball at the elbow in the triple threat with some post ups here and there. Melo got by with more skill and randle with more physicality.

You're right.

But Melo was a more complete offensive player. He could run the pick-and-roll from the middle of the floor and find shooters in the corners. His pull-up from 3 was also better. He was more effective in transition as well. He just covered more ground, and had more options to rely on if his ISO game at the elbow wasn't working.

True, Randle's offense starts and ends at the elbow, and it's been looking real ugly when the defender sags off and he can't hit that jumper.

[El Poochio]

Watching these Melo highlights reminds me of my concern about Julius. I'm not judging him off his playoff no-show (I won't kill him for it), but in general.

The thing that gives me the most cause to pause is that he's neither a big nor a wing. He's like stuck in between. He doesn't have the size to finish over length inside the paint and get easy baskets at the rim, and he doesn't have the handle and the speed to go north-south and create drive-and-kick opportunities like Melo (a wing/small-ball 4) could.

He's neither a dynamic wing nor a dominant big. I think this sort of ambivalence is being exposed in this series.

I'm not saying this means we should trade him or whatnot, and I know guys like RJ have their own issues, but I think it's a problem.

Randle played like a big wing this season minus the playoffs

Yeah but he's not a wing like Kawhi, Tatum, Bron, Durant, Melo, Doncic or even Pandemic P.

These guys can run the pick-and-roll and drive-and-dish. They can get to the rim from the perimeter with more ease than Randle. Randle lacks the speed and handle to do it effectively with any consistency. That's why you see him more often than not isolating or posting up. And if he's involved in the pick-and-roll, 95% of the time he's the roll man.

You know what I mean?

I dont know I think he played like LeBron if I had to compare it to someone

That tweenerness is why I never liked Randle up until this season but I thought his shooting and playmaking this season were wing like

[3toheadmelo]

That’s why I really liked Tatum in the 2017 draft. I really saw in him what Melo could have been if he had worked on the other aspects of the game.

Still blows my mind how majority of this board didn’t want Tatum

That was strange I didn’t really understand what was not to like about him. At the very least he had a high floor.

People were salty about Melo that year (Melo was getting old and had beef with Phil Jackson). When they saw Tatum they saw another light skinned iso scorer and they immediately thought about Melo in a negative way. It was pretty dumb but that’s how they felt