Carmelo Anthony vs. Lebron James (Scoring)

[TheOUTLAW]

Martin is my favorite player, but he's not a better scorer than Melo. You have to look at the degree of difficulty on Melo's shots compared to Martin's, the way opponents defend each player, and their ability to win games for their respective teams. Melo is much better at creating for himself in the post and on the perimeter. He's also better at driving and converting around the rim. Martin is better at cutting and moving without the ball, but he's a complementary player and he doesn't take over games. Stats won't show those things.

Degree of difficulty is not a good thing when it comes to scoring. Sure on occasion you have to take a high degree of difficulty shot, but if you are doing it on a regular you either don't have good moves to get yourself open or you just have bad shot selection and are a ball hog.

[defjux21]

Martin is my favorite player, but he's not a better scorer than Melo. You have to look at the degree of difficulty on Melo's shots compared to Martin's, the way opponents defend each player, and their ability to win games for their respective teams. Melo is much better at creating for himself in the post and on the perimeter. He's also better at driving and converting around the rim. Martin is better at cutting and moving without the ball, but he's a complementary player and he doesn't take over games. Stats won't show those things.

Degree of difficulty is not a good thing when it comes to scoring. Sure on occasion you have to take a high degree of difficulty shot, but if you are doing it on a regular you either don't have good moves to get yourself open or you just have bad shot selection and are a ball hog.

MJ would beg to differ.

But seriously, this is all semantics. It comes down your definition of scoring. If you take it to mean nothing more than putting the ball in the basket, then yeah Lebron has Melo beat, mostly in terms of efficiency. If you take it to mean sheer offensive talent and skill level, then Melo wins hands down.

[TheOUTLAW]

I can't even understand why it would mean versatility. Scoring is ability to score which is defined by not only scoring but doing it efficiently. Anything else is merely for show.

[Conrad420]

Martin is my favorite player, but he's not a better scorer than Melo. You have to look at the degree of difficulty on Melo's shots compared to Martin's, the way opponents defend each player, and their ability to win games for their respective teams. Melo is much better at creating for himself in the post and on the perimeter. He's also better at driving and converting around the rim. Martin is better at cutting and moving without the ball, but he's a complementary player and he doesn't take over games. Stats won't show those things.

actually just as a scorer yes he is better then melo.

[Joseph17]

Martin is my favorite player, but he's not a better scorer than Melo. You have to look at the degree of difficulty on Melo's shots compared to Martin's, the way opponents defend each player, and their ability to win games for their respective teams. Melo is much better at creating for himself in the post and on the perimeter. He's also better at driving and converting around the rim. Martin is better at cutting and moving without the ball, but he's a complementary player and he doesn't take over games. Stats won't show those things.

actually just as a scorer yes he is better then melo.

I'm sure Rockets and Kings fans who have seen a lot of him would agree with me.

[Joseph17]

Martin is my favorite player, but he's not a better scorer than Melo. You have to look at the degree of difficulty on Melo's shots compared to Martin's, the way opponents defend each player, and their ability to win games for their respective teams. Melo is much better at creating for himself in the post and on the perimeter. He's also better at driving and converting around the rim. Martin is better at cutting and moving without the ball, but he's a complementary player and he doesn't take over games. Stats won't show those things.

Degree of difficulty is not a good thing when it comes to scoring. Sure on occasion you have to take a high degree of difficulty shot, but if you are doing it on a regular you either don't have good moves to get yourself open or you just have bad shot selection and are a ball hog.

If you want to be considered one of the best scorers in the game, you'll definitely need to be able to make a decent amount of difficult shots. There are exceptions like prime Shaq and dominant post players are able to get dunks almost every time down court, but most of the best scorers in the game are able to make ridiculously difficult shots. When your team relies on you to carry them night in and night out and you're receiving double teams with the clock winding down, you have to be able to make difficult shots. Look at some of the all-time great scorers like Kobe and Jordan for example.

[TheOUTLAW]

I can't imagine that anyone wants to be known as the best scorer in the game? That'd be idiotic since being the best scorer does not really equate to winning or to having a better team.

[Grinditout]

First off before I say anything, I'll admit to Lebron being the more efficient scorer. People have there own definition of being a better scorer, so I'll have to leave that to them.

But for example whenever we see young players who are really good at scoring in one way, people always say "If he adds a jump shot/adds some post moves, it'll really open up his game." Which means that having the ability to perform and hit different kinds of shots does help and is an important part of being able to be a good scorer. Does it not?

This applies more to an iso situation where a variety of moves keeps the defender guessing and makes the player harder to guard.

[MaliBrah]

Melo has the better skill set and offensive arsenal , but he just can't score like LBJ does and isnt as efficient... LBJ has the 3rd highest PPG of all time....

[menofvalor]

LBJ has the 3rd highest PPG of all time.