Scoring only, Luka or Carmelo?

[dygaction]

Carmelo had better 3pt shooting and free throw shooting advantage, and was known for his post up games. Luka has much better handles to get to where he wants. Without considering passing of course, who is the better scorer?

A related question, if they were to play one on one basketball, who is going to have the upper hand?

[LukaTheGOAT]

Luka is the better scorer in the PS, which I greatly value, so him.

For example, Carmelo has 2 PS runs of at least 10 games. In

09: Inflation Adjusted 28.6 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 2.6%)

13: Inflation Adjusted 32.4 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of -1.2%)

Luka in this PS run

22: Unadjusted 34.7 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 4.1%)

If we try and look at Luka's other PS runs for more context:

20: Inflation Adjusted 31.6 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 5.6%)

21: Inflation Adjusted 34.2 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 0.9%)

Considering how he generally had his way with the Clippers who have multiple versatile wing defenders, then played against a truly prolific defense in the Suns who had a similar defensive build, I do feel confident in taking Luka over Carmelo. Luka also is statistically a historically underrated finisher, and I think therefore he will generally have a higher floor than someone such as Carmelo who is more liable to pull-up for long 2s.

I think Carmelo has more than a reasonable argument if you weigh the bigger RS sample, but I don't put as much emphasis there.

[70sFan]

Don't see much of a case for Melo.

[dygaction]

Don't see much of a case for Melo.

I thought it was at least comparable for scoring only. Melo was an automatic scoring machine, scoring champion, and #11 all time leader (likely passing Shaq for #10 next year if he plays).

[70sFan]

Don't see much of a case for Melo.

I thought it was at least comparable for scoring only. Melo was an automatic scoring machine, scoring champion, and #11 all time leader (likely passing Shaq for #10 next year if he plays).

Melo's scoring is unsustainable for postseason though. Overall number of scored points isn't that relevant to me, unless you want to give someone like Elvin Hayes consideration as well.

[falcolombardi]

Luka is the better scorer in the PS, which I greatly value, so him.

For example, Carmelo has 2 PS runs of at least 10 games. In

09: Inflation Adjusted 28.6 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 2.6%)

13: Inflation Adjusted 32.4 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of -1.2%)

Luka in this PS run

22: Unadjusted 34.7 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 4.1%)

If we try and look at Luka's other PS runs for more context:

20: Inflation Adjusted 31.6 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 5.6%)

21: Inflation Adjusted 34.2 pts per 75 possessions (rTS% of 0.9%)

Considering how he generally had his way with the Clippers who have multiple versatile wing defenders, then played against a truly prolific defense in the Suns who had a similar defensive build, I do feel confident in taking Luka over Carmelo. Luka also is statistically a historically underrated finisher, and I think therefore he will generally have a higher floor than someone such as Carmelo who is more liable to pull-up for long 2s.

I think Carmelo has more than a reasonable argument if you weigh the bigger RS sample, but I don't put as much emphasis there.

interesting, i was under the impressiong luka efficiency was closer to 1-2% above average when is actually more like 3-4%

that is actually a fairly Prime jordan-like volume/efficiency combo

[MartinToVaught]

Prime Melo got clamped out of a playoff series by Quinton Ross. Does anyone think that would ever happen to Luka? Sometimes a comparison really is that simple.

[dygaction]

Don't see much of a case for Melo.

I thought it was at least comparable for scoring only. Melo was an automatic scoring machine, scoring champion, and #11 all time leader (likely passing Shaq for #10 next year if he plays).

Melo's scoring is unsustainable for postseason though. Overall number of scored points isn't that relevant to me, unless you want to give someone like Elvin Hayes consideration as well.

Have to look at regular seasons. Hard to find players to compare with playoff Luka as he not only sustain but elevate scoring in both efficiency and volume.

[70sFan]

I thought it was at least comparable for scoring only. Melo was an automatic scoring machine, scoring champion, and #11 all time leader (likely passing Shaq for #10 next year if he plays).

Melo's scoring is unsustainable for postseason though. Overall number of scored points isn't that relevant to me, unless you want to give someone like Elvin Hayes consideration as well.

Have to look at regular seasons. Hard to find players to compare with playoff Luka as he not only sustain but elevate scoring in both efficiency and volume.

Sure, but Melo doesn't have huge edge in RS either. He had a few better regular seasons than Luka's best so far, but the gap isn't large and he didn't even sustain his production in postseason, let alone elevate it.

[dygaction]

Melo's scoring is unsustainable for postseason though. Overall number of scored points isn't that relevant to me, unless you want to give someone like Elvin Hayes consideration as well.

Have to look at regular seasons. Hard to find players to compare with playoff Luka as he not only sustain but elevate scoring in both efficiency and volume.

Sure, but Melo doesn't have huge edge in RS either. He had a few better regular seasons than Luka's best so far, but the gap isn't large and he didn't even sustain his production in postseason, let alone elevate it.

That's fair, and you know I like to hear Luka wins this..
Just cannot think of another player with similar height, weight, long-range, mid-range and post up game. Paul Pierce is one level below.

[70sFan]

Have to look at regular seasons. Hard to find players to compare with playoff Luka as he not only sustain but elevate scoring in both efficiency and volume.

Sure, but Melo doesn't have huge edge in RS either. He had a few better regular seasons than Luka's best so far, but the gap isn't large and he didn't even sustain his production in postseason, let alone elevate it.

That's fair, and you know I like to hear Luka wins this..
Just cannot think of another player with similar height, weight, long-range, mid-range and post up game. Paul Pierce is one level below.

I made another Luka historical comparison thread that you may like.

[Ascrilas]

Melo's efficiency took a nosedive in the post-season (.543 TS% vs. .513 TS%), and that's not a good thing when you were a meh-efficiency volume scorer in the first place. In his prime, he had three playoffs with a TS% above 55%. In his three runs with the Knicks, he averaged a true shooting percantage of .505, .489 and .497. You have countless games of him just jab-stepping endlessly and then chucking up a contested mid-range jumper. He also was a very poor 3-pt shooter in the playoffs.

Melo is better at free throws and maybe equal in the post (although he never embraced the PF role as he should have), but I don't see him on Luka's level anywhere else scoring-wise.

[mikejames23]

Melo was one of the best scorers ever, but he didn't pickup his game against hard defenses as much as Luka does. It still felt like you could throw Melo off a little bit in his scoring game, but Luka is flat out scary. Carmelo at his peak performed at around 51 TS% vs Pacers, it wasn't all that great. Luka at his best destroyed a 60+ win Suns, in comparison.

[TheGOATRises007]

Not even close.

Luka is clear of him as a scorer.