Re: Paul George: We've Never Had Chemistry Problems

[Hoopzilla]

Once again, it's not an ego thing. It doesn't help the team. You make the starting you make the bench stronger, but the starting 5 weaker.

You can fix the starting 5 problem by putting PG at the 2, Melo at the 3 and Patterson at the 4. But the bench is still weak as hell.

We'll just agree to disagree.

Switching Patterson and Melo improves both the starting unit and the bench, they both get a boost. The starting lineup gets a floor stretching power forward that can play adequate defense in Patterson. Just because he doesn't get 20 ppg doesn't mean he can't be an upgrade, he fits better with the starting unit than Melo does.

Melo will boost the bench by giving them a reliable iso scorer and the rest of the bench can figure out how to play off of him.

But, in the end it is all about ego because Melo would never ever agree to it.

We can agree to disagree on this one, sure. I can rest easy knowing most of the basketball community is one my side knowing it would be best for Melo to come off the bench but his ego simply won't let him do it.

If it is not an ego thing, as you continue to assert, please show me one clip of Melo saying he would be willing to do whatever it takes for the team to turn it around. Don't worry, I'll wait. If you want to see my proof that Melo will never ever agree to it because his giant ego won't let him, here is just one of many examples:

Watch on YouTube

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/billy-donovan-praises-selfless-play-carmelo-anthony-paul/story?id=51606624

In the two previous games, against the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, Anthony attempted a total of 17 shots; and for the first time in his career, he scored in single digits in consecutive games. Anthony made a clear, intentional effort to make extra passes and resist low-efficiency non-paint jumpers. George and Donovan spoke after Sunday's game against the Spurs about Anthony's sacrifice, with Anthony saying he's willing to do whatever it is the team needs from him.

"For me, personally, it's just about doing something different, seeing where the team really needs me on a night-to-night basis," Anthony said Sunday. "And just be willing to do that and being willing to sacrifice, not every night having to score 20 or 30 points. And I'm good with that; it's a good feeling, as long as we're winning."

Did you read the above paragraph that mentioned Melo was 6-19 from the field when he made that great "team" pass to Adams? Congratulations to Melo for passing the ball in a game when he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. If he was hitting shots I doubt that pass happens.

As for the quote you posted, I have heard Melo say these things for years and watch it fizzle out when it suits him. I hope for the Thunder's sake that he may have finally hit the point where he can get over his ego and play some team ball.

[Rollie]

Switching Patterson and Melo improves both the starting unit and the bench, they both get a boost. The starting lineup gets a floor stretching power forward that can play adequate defense in Patterson. Just because he doesn't get 20 ppg doesn't mean he can't be an upgrade, he fits better with the starting unit than Melo does.

Melo will boost the bench by giving them a reliable iso scorer and the rest of the bench can figure out how to play off of him.

But, in the end it is all about ego because Melo would never ever agree to it.

We can agree to disagree on this one, sure. I can rest easy knowing most of the basketball community is one my side knowing it would be best for Melo to come off the bench but his ego simply won't let him do it.

If it is not an ego thing, as you continue to assert, please show me one clip of Melo saying he would be willing to do whatever it takes for the team to turn it around. Don't worry, I'll wait. If you want to see my proof that Melo will never ever agree to it because his giant ego won't let him, here is just one of many examples:

Watch on YouTube

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/billy-donovan-praises-selfless-play-carmelo-anthony-paul/story?id=51606624

In the two previous games, against the Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs, Anthony attempted a total of 17 shots; and for the first time in his career, he scored in single digits in consecutive games. Anthony made a clear, intentional effort to make extra passes and resist low-efficiency non-paint jumpers. George and Donovan spoke after Sunday's game against the Spurs about Anthony's sacrifice, with Anthony saying he's willing to do whatever it is the team needs from him.

"For me, personally, it's just about doing something different, seeing where the team really needs me on a night-to-night basis," Anthony said Sunday. "And just be willing to do that and being willing to sacrifice, not every night having to score 20 or 30 points. And I'm good with that; it's a good feeling, as long as we're winning."

Did you read the above paragraph that mentioned Melo was 6-19 from the field when he made that great "team" pass to Adams? Congratulations to Melo for passing the ball in a game when he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. If he was hitting shots I doubt that pass happens.

As for the quote you posted, I have heard Melo say these things for years and watch it fizzle out when it suits him. I hope for the Thunder's sake that he may have finally hit the point where he can get over his ego and play some team ball.

So you're just going to disregard the positive things said about Melo in the article that you quoted and the article I provided because it doesn't suit your narrative? OK, gotcha. I'll believe you over what what his current coaches and team says about him.

Melo coming off the bench is not going to fix the issues with this team, but you keep believing that.

[Hoopzilla]

http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/billy-donovan-praises-selfless-play-carmelo-anthony-paul/story?id=51606624

Did you read the above paragraph that mentioned Melo was 6-19 from the field when he made that great "team" pass to Adams? Congratulations to Melo for passing the ball in a game when he couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. If he was hitting shots I doubt that pass happens.

As for the quote you posted, I have heard Melo say these things for years and watch it fizzle out when it suits him. I hope for the Thunder's sake that he may have finally hit the point where he can get over his ego and play some team ball.

So you're just going to disregard the positive things said about Melo in the article that you quoted and the article I provided because it doesn't suit your narrative? OK, gotcha. I'll believe you over what what his current coaches and team says about him.

Melo coming off the bench is not going to fix the issues with this team, but you keep believing that.

Knowing the fragility of Melo's massive ego, the coach has to figure out how to give praise to Melo somehow. If Melo is called out for anything, he will turn into the team's pariah in no time flat, as history indicates. Donovan is just trying to keep Melo on the court and not be a distraction to the team. Instead of holding Melo accountable for going 6-19 from the field, he praises him for actually passing the ball to an open big man in the clutch... Sorry, I set my bar just a bit higher than that. I take a coach's praise of a player that has a fragile ego with a grain of salt, he has an agenda for finding something positive to say about one of his players that is playing terribly right now. Melo may have passed the ball in the clutch because for the first time in his career he is self aware enough to know he is playing like hot garbage right now and can't hit the broad side of a barn with his shot. Perhaps playing against bench players for a while each game will would help him get his confidence back.

https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/1441617-melo-i-m-probably-in-roughest-offensive-stretch-of-my-career

I asked you to show me one example and you did, so I am not going to discount the fact that you found someone giving him praise. If any context is put into it, it is clear as to Donovan's motivation to not speak about his horrendous offense for the night and give him praise for not hogging the ball in the clutch. I guess you gotta start somewhere.

I don't know if Melo coming off the bench would solve the problems of this team, I don't see any team with Melo on it ever being successful, he is the problem and I am not sure there is a solution aside from removing him from the team. The Knicks look a lot better without him and they didn't even replace his talent, they went young and still look better, that says something as to the problems when speaking about Melo's teams.