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Melo has really sucked lately, especially when the team needs him most due to being short-handed.

In the last 4 games...
2 + 2 record (both losses by 3 points to OKC & Houston)
17-58 overall shooting
3-23 three point shooting
7-8 free throw shooting
22 rebounds (5.5/game)
4 assists (1/game)
5 blocks 1.25/game)
4 steals (1/game)
5 fouls (1.25/game)
44 points (11/game)

+/- in the last 4 games...
-23 vs Bulls (win)
+9 vs Rockets (loss)
+15 vs Thunder (loss)
-7 vs Knicks (win)

Minutes in the last 4 games...
17 vs Bulls
38 vs Rockets
35 vs Thunder
26 vs Knicks

At least Stotts did not over play him last night against the Bulls.

He needs to be viewed as a player who when he is on you let him play but pull quickly when he is off. He is no longer the player that you leave in and can reasonably expect to suddenly take over a game. He is a player who can occasionally help the team so you give him a chance but pull out of the game if he isn't performing at a high level.

His skill to get open shots is getting less effective as defenders no longer have to respect drive to basket. Defenders can play him tighter. That turnaround is more difficult with a defender on you like a blanket.

I think many fail to realize Carmelo has never had high basketball iq or not been a black hole... hopefully the drop off surprises nobody.

Pattycakes wrote:I think many fail to realize Carmelo has never had high basketball iq or not been a black hole... hopefully the drop off surprises nobody.

Melo's basketball IQ is great and so is his passing and willingness to pass. This is why Melo still has a NBA job. Stotts can count on Melo to make the right play on offense and defense, even though his physical ability isn't as much.

There are many fans that will tell a different story. You need to realize that fans are full of s__t. Stotts knows when his players are doing the job and when they aren't. The mere fact that Melo is attempting plays beyond the capability of anyone other than Lillard and CJ, is evidence of his skill level. When the time comes that Melo is not a benefit, he won't play. That should be obvious, but I guess it isn't.

It may depend upon with whom he shares the court. For instance, in 56 minutes the lineup of Anthony, Jones, Kanter, Lillard, and Trent is a plus net 17 pts (per 100 possessions). I don't know why that lineup seems to work pretty well and I realize that with another 55 minutes that net may be wiped away. Yet that is the fact at this moment.

I mean he should be viewed very harshly because he brings almost nothing on the D end. If he was a competent defender then you could justify playing him when his shot is not falling, but now he brings mediocre rebounding and shooting and that is it.

When he is cooking offensively sure put him out there, but I have been far more impressed with the bench when he sits. The bulls game is a great example Trent+Kanter+Covington+Simons+Hood looked very good together in the Bulls game.

monopoman wrote:I mean he should be viewed very harshly because he brings almost nothing on the D end. If he was a competent defender then you could justify playing him when his shot is not falling, but now he brings mediocre rebounding and shooting and that is it.

When he is cooking offensively sure put him out there, but I have been far more impressed with the bench when he sits. The bulls game is a great example Trent+Kanter+Covington+Simons+Hood looked very good together in the Bulls game.

That lineup you mention was a +16 in the second quarter in about 4 minutes. Rhat is very good. On the other hand it was -4 for one minute in the 4th quarter.

d-train wrote:

Pattycakes wrote:I think many fail to realize Carmelo has never had high basketball iq or not been a black hole... hopefully the drop off surprises nobody.

Melo's basketball IQ is great and so is his passing and willingness to pass. This is why Melo still has a NBA job. Stotts can count on Melo to make the right play on offense and defense, even though his physical ability isn't as much.

There are many fans that will tell a different story. You need to realize that fans are full of s__t. Stotts knows when his players are doing the job and when they aren't. The mere fact that Melo is attempting plays beyond the capability of anyone other than Lillard and CJ, is evidence of his skill level. When the time comes that Melo is not a benefit, he won't play. That should be obvious, but I guess it isn't.

Picking up a couple tricks over almost 15 years doesn’t make you a high basketball iq player, you either are or you aren’t. I get you like Melo, hey I like players just cause too, but he’s a major net negative 5 days a week on both sides of the court for a good team, and is very lucky we’re not good or he’s out a gig and career /over

When the Blazers signed him this offseason, it was with the understanding that he would not be guaranteed any minutes and I got the impression they would only use him situationally and maybe not at all. Then the injuries set in and he's getting major minutes again. Sporadically, I could handle and he might just shoot better. I get right now they may have to give him more minutes, but he needs to not be jacking up shots when his shots are not falling.

d-train wrote:

Pattycakes wrote:I think many fail to realize Carmelo has never had high basketball iq or not been a black hole... hopefully the drop off surprises nobody.

Melo's basketball IQ is great and so is his passing and willingness to pass. This is why Melo still has a NBA job. Stotts can count on Melo to make the right play on offense and defense, even though his physical ability isn't as much.

There are many fans that will tell a different story. You need to realize that fans are full of s__t. Stotts knows when his players are doing the job and when they aren't. The mere fact that Melo is attempting plays beyond the capability of anyone other than Lillard and CJ, is evidence of his skill level. When the time comes that Melo is not a benefit, he won't play. That should be obvious, but I guess it isn't.

Did you just admit to being full of s__t?

He seems to be taking alot of those horrible mid ranged contested shots that got his ass booted from OKC and HOU. Last year he just seemed more in tune with his role, this year he is trying to be NYK Melo much more often. And it really isnt helping us.

His usage has gone up thanks to recent injuries to Covington and Jones. The same is true with Little, who has been just as bad, but apparently gets a pass because he's young.

I said from the beginning, Melo needs load management. Don't let him travel. Just play home games. Rest up. Play a Euro style schedule where you can go full-out twice a week and rest the remainder of the time. One 18 point game from Melo is worth more than two inefficient 9 point games.

Melo - 439 minutes
Little - 73 minutes

Melo - 58/158 FG's - 37%
Little - 4/11 FG's - 36%

Melo - 26-75 3pt FG's - 35%
Little - 2/5 3pt FG's - 40%

Frankly, I might prefer to play Little over Melo if those are the two players you wish to compare. At least Little can play a "Little" defense. Did you see what I did there?!?!?!

*** UPDATE *** UPDATE *** UPDATE ***

Melo 457 minutes
Little 103 minutes

Melo - 59-165 FG's - 36%
Little 15-29 FG - 52%

Melo - 26-76 3pt FG - 34%
Little - 7-12 3pt FG - 58%

Of all days you chose to compare Melo to Little

be happy to see Melo not play another minute for this team, Rodney is nearing that level

I really wish the Blazers could trade Hood prior to March. Can you include the remaining TPE with a player or do they have to be separate deals? If not, what about Covington, Collins, and Giles 18.27M for Aldridge $24.00M? RealGM Trade Checker says the deal will work, although I don't know that the Blazers are sending enough salary, not to mention San Antonio does not have 3 open roster spots.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:

d-train wrote:

Pattycakes wrote:I think many fail to realize Carmelo has never had high basketball iq or not been a black hole... hopefully the drop off surprises nobody.

Melo's basketball IQ is great and so is his passing and willingness to pass. This is why Melo still has a NBA job. Stotts can count on Melo to make the right play on offense and defense, even though his physical ability isn't as much.

There are many fans that will tell a different story. You need to realize that fans are full of s__t. Stotts knows when his players are doing the job and when they aren't. The mere fact that Melo is attempting plays beyond the capability of anyone other than Lillard and CJ, is evidence of his skill level. When the time comes that Melo is not a benefit, he won't play. That should be obvious, but I guess it isn't.

Did you just admit to being full of s__t?

Everyone is full of s__t. My dad used to say I'm full of **** up to my ears and the rest is toilet paper.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:I really wish the Blazers could trade Hood prior to March. Can you include the remaining TPE with a player or do they have to be separate deals? If not, what about Covington, Collins, and Giles 18.27M for Aldridge $24.00M? RealGM Trade Checker says the deal will work, although I don't know that the Blazers are sending enough salary, not to mention San Antonio does not have 3 open roster spots.

It isn't going to work if Blazers owe tax. Besides, that's way too much to pay for LMA.

DaVoiceMaster wrote:what about Covington, Collins, and Giles 18.27M for Aldridge $24.00M?

Blazers really shouldn't sell low on Covington.

As for Aldridge, the Blazers are best off waiting until his contract expires, then offering the MLE or less if he's interested in coming back. If not, then are probably better options than a would-be 36 year old center competing with Nurkić/Kanter for minutes.