fatlever wrote:melo isnt exactly the type of player that i would prefer to build around... that being said...
i'd probably be willing to part with crash and our first round pick + filler to land melo. melo is a legit #1 option, who is just now entering the prime of his career.
as for defense... i refuse to believe that someone as talented as melo cant become an average defender. its really hard to evaluate someone's defense when they play for a coach who isnt asking the players to focus on defense. you dont need 5 great individual defenders to be a good defensive team. you need maybe two great defenders, a great team defensive concept, and players who are willing.
Who would be the two "great" defenders? Hell, where's the ONE great defender on that squad?
If all it took was Crash and this year's first I'd probably do it (IMO it'd take more), but the roster would need to be seriously revamped in order for it to get anywhere past the 1st round.
On paper we might match up well with Orlando but Detroit is sure looking pretty darn mean against them...with their defense!!! Besides, Howard is Orlando's defense and unless Mek bounces back we don't have an answer. He beat us this season...not their other guys.