Rather build a team around Carmelo Anthony or Steph Curry?

[therealbig3]

Melo. History proves your chances of winning a title with a player like melo are a lot more likely then a player like curry.

Another thing, if you are in a game 7 against a team like the heat and they decide to throw Lebron on one of these two. Watch melo back Lebron down and continue to score points. I think when the moment comes down to a big play, I'd rather have Melo with the ball.

What does that even mean? What are the similar players to Melo who have won?

6'3 point guards don't win finals MVP as much as 6'8 forwards do. [/quote]

Billups and Parker have 2 combined Finals MVPs in the last 10 years. The closest player to Melo that I can think of to win Finals MVP in that time frame would be Pierce (08).

Sorry, but LeBron is not a similar player to Melo...at all.

[therealbig3]

I think if you put both in ideal situations you gotta take Melo

I always said only one man can stop LeBron's reign and thats Melo thats why LeBron is the only man in the NBA I'd build a team around over Melo

Um...Durant?

[B_Creamy]

I think if you put both in ideal situations you gotta take Melo

I always said only one man can stop LeBron's reign and thats Melo thats why LeBron is the only man in the NBA I'd build a team around over Melo

Um...Durant?

Nah Durant doesn't play for my home team so he's not nearly as good as Melo.

[Kupchak9]

Curry makes teammates better so yeah Curry.

[E-Balla]

Curry makes teammates better so yeah Curry.

Is he physically possessing them? How do you make someone better?

[BlackIce]

Curry makes teammates better so yeah Curry.

Is he physically possessing them? How do you make someone better?

Is this a serious question? There are countless examples but the primary role of a point guard is to put guys in positions they can succeed in.

There is also the "double/triple team" aspect, a star can attract attention making it easier for the other guys on the team to score. A system can also do this as well (Spurs - Parker/Duncan do it but the Spurs system maximizes the strengths of role player like Danny Green for instance), and a player can (Miami - Lebron).

Carmelo attracts a lot of attention from the opposing defense but he isn't a willing passer.

"But NYK put no one around him, he has no one to pass to!"

Lebron was in a similar, if not worst situation in Cleveland but he was still an elite playmaker. Pierce had his best assist per game season in 03-04 - his best teammate was Ricky Davis and this was pre-Al Jefferson. Usually when stars have less help they up their usage and don't go into iso mode every time down the floor.

Curry shares a similar ability to draw the defense due to his (arguable) GOAT shooting ability and he is 2nd in APG, only Paul is averaging more assists. Even if you tried to argue Melo is a SF and Curry is a PG, of course Curry is a better passer...

1. Melo actually has a higher usage rate
2. Curry relative to his peers (PG) is an elite passer - Melo relative to his peers (SF) is a mediocre passer

Code: Select all

1   LeBron James, SF   MIA   43   36.9   278   6.5   151   3.5   8.4   1.84
2   Nicolas Batum, SF   POR   45   35.7   252   5.6   107   2.4   7.5   2.36
3   Kevin Durant, SF   OKC   45   38.1   233   5.2   151   3.4   6.5   1.54
4   Evan Turner, SF   PHI   44   35.6   164   3.7   131   3.0   5.0   1.25
5   Chandler Parsons, SF   HOU   41   38.3   145   3.5   83   2.0   4.4   1.75
6   Paul George, SF   IND   43   36.3   148   3.4   117   2.7   4.6   1.26
7   Josh Smith, SF   DET   44   35.3   145   3.3   109   2.5   4.5   1.33
8   Carmelo Anthony, SF   NY   41   39.2   126   3.1   93   2.3   3.8   1.35

Code: Select all

1   Chris Paul, PG   LAC   34   34.6   380   11.2   85   2.5   15.5   4.47
2   Stephen Curry, PG   GS   42   37.8   391   9.3   175   4.2   11.8   2.23
3   Ty Lawson, PG   DEN   41   35.7   365   8.9   125   3.0   12.0   2.92
4   John Wall, PG   WSH   43   37.0   365   8.5   153   3.6   11.0   2.39
5   Ricky Rubio, PG   MIN   44   31.6   362   8.2   118   2.7   12.5   3.07
    Brandon Jennings, PG   DET   42   35.9   343   8.2   132   3.1   10.9   2.60
7   Jrue Holiday, PG   NO   34   33.6   268   7.9   105   3.1   11.3   2.55
8   Kyle Lowry, PG   TOR   44   36.3   331   7.5   97   2.2   10.0   3.41

- Melo is playing more minutes then anyone on that list
- Pierce (not listed) is 9 on that list, he is averaging the same about of assists per game while playing 9.6 less minutes. Keep in mind a quarter is 12 minutes.

The only situation Carmelo really shined in was when he represented the USA in the Olympics, where he wasn't the 1st option or the focus of the team - he was a complimentary piece (obviously an elite one). I hope he goes to Chicago and Rose gets healthy but as of now I don't see how you could take Melo over Curry. I haven't really seen a compelling argument FOR Melo, just a few against Curry and those are mainly durability concerns.

[Cowbulls]

What does that even mean? What are the similar players to Melo who have won?

6'3 point guards don't win finals MVP as much as 6'8 forwards do.

Billups and Parker have 2 combined Finals MVPs in the last 10 years. The closest player to Melo that I can think of to win Finals MVP in that time frame would be Pierce (08).

Sorry, but LeBron is not a similar player to Melo...at all.[/quote]

Nice so in 10 years 2 pgs won finals mvps...and before those 2 you have to go back 14 years to Thomas for the next time a pgs won a finals mvp... before Thomas you have to go back another 13 years to old Jo Jo White as the next pgs to win a finals mvp. As a matter of fact in the last 40 years did u know that only 8 players 6'5 or shorter has won a nba finals mvp? That means that 80% of the time a finals mvp is 6'6 or taller!

Now you might throw in the comment that center's win a lot and I agree, so ill change my stats...in the last 40 years the finals mvp as been 6'6 - 6'9....20 times. So like I said. I take Melo and its not really that close.

[therealbig3]

Nice so in 10 years 2 pgs won finals mvps...and before those 2 you have to go back 14 years to Thomas for the next time a pgs won a finals mvp... before Thomas you have to go back another 13 years to old Jo Jo White as the next pgs to win a finals mvp. As a matter of fact in the last 40 years did u know that only 8 players 6'5 or shorter has won a nba finals mvp? That means that 80% of the time a finals mvp is 6'6 or taller!

Now you might throw in the comment that center's win a lot and I agree, so ill change my stats...in the last 40 years the finals mvp as been 6'6 - 6'9....20 times. So like I said. I take Melo and its not really that close.

This is just laughable analysis...so players that are similar height are similar players? In what universe does that make sense?

[E-Balla]

Curry makes teammates better so yeah Curry.

Is he physically possessing them? How do you make someone better?

Is this a serious question? There are countless examples but the primary role of a point guard is to put guys in positions they can succeed in.

There is also the "double/triple team" aspect, a star can attract attention making it easier for the other guys on the team to score. A system can also do this as well (Spurs - Parker/Duncan do it but the Spurs system maximizes the strengths of role player like Danny Green for instance), and a player can (Miami - Lebron).

Carmelo attracts a lot of attention from the opposing defense but he isn't a willing passer.

"But NYK put no one around him, he has no one to pass to!"

Lebron was in a similar, if not worst situation in Cleveland but he was still an elite playmaker. Pierce had his best assist per game season in 03-04 - his best teammate was Ricky Davis and this was pre-Al Jefferson. Usually when stars have less help they up their usage and don't go into iso mode every time down the floor.

Curry shares a similar ability to draw the defense due to his (arguable) GOAT shooting ability and he is 2nd in APG, only Paul is averaging more assists. Even if you tried to argue Melo is a SF and Curry is a PG, of course Curry is a better passer...

1. Melo actually has a higher usage rate
2. Curry relative to his peers (PG) is an elite passer - Melo relative to his peers (SF) is a mediocre passer

Code: Select all

1   LeBron James, SF   MIA   43   36.9   278   6.5   151   3.5   8.4   1.84
2   Nicolas Batum, SF   POR   45   35.7   252   5.6   107   2.4   7.5   2.36
3   Kevin Durant, SF   OKC   45   38.1   233   5.2   151   3.4   6.5   1.54
4   Evan Turner, SF   PHI   44   35.6   164   3.7   131   3.0   5.0   1.25
5   Chandler Parsons, SF   HOU   41   38.3   145   3.5   83   2.0   4.4   1.75
6   Paul George, SF   IND   43   36.3   148   3.4   117   2.7   4.6   1.26
7   Josh Smith, SF   DET   44   35.3   145   3.3   109   2.5   4.5   1.33
8   Carmelo Anthony, SF   NY   41   39.2   126   3.1   93   2.3   3.8   1.35

Code: Select all

1   Chris Paul, PG   LAC   34   34.6   380   11.2   85   2.5   15.5   4.47
2   Stephen Curry, PG   GS   42   37.8   391   9.3   175   4.2   11.8   2.23
3   Ty Lawson, PG   DEN   41   35.7   365   8.9   125   3.0   12.0   2.92
4   John Wall, PG   WSH   43   37.0   365   8.5   153   3.6   11.0   2.39
5   Ricky Rubio, PG   MIN   44   31.6   362   8.2   118   2.7   12.5   3.07
    Brandon Jennings, PG   DET   42   35.9   343   8.2   132   3.1   10.9   2.60
7   Jrue Holiday, PG   NO   34   33.6   268   7.9   105   3.1   11.3   2.55
8   Kyle Lowry, PG   TOR   44   36.3   331   7.5   97   2.2   10.0   3.41

- Melo is playing more minutes then anyone on that list
- Pierce (not listed) is 9 on that list, he is averaging the same about of assists per game while playing 9.6 less minutes. Keep in mind a quarter is 12 minutes.

The only situation Carmelo really shined in was when he represented the USA in the Olympics, where he wasn't the 1st option or the focus of the team - he was a complimentary piece (obviously an elite one). I hope he goes to Chicago and Rose gets healthy but as of now I don't see how you could take Melo over Curry. I haven't really seen a compelling argument FOR Melo, just a few against Curry and those are mainly durability concerns.

Saying anyone makes their teammates better is dumb. Makes them look better can only go so far and Melo definetly makes his teammates look better if that's what you mean.

Also I hope your joking in this post. Assists definetly do not start to cover helping your teammates. Would you say Dirk doesn't help his teammates?

[MojoPharoah]

Wow at some of the answers... I would easily go with carmelo.. Imo theres a lot of good point guards in the league. Plus carmelo is one of a kind. He has a big body for a small forward and sometimes hard to guard one on one. Plus when is the last time a point guard who is the alpha dog, won a championship?

Technically, Tony Parker won FMVP in 2007 and lead the Spurs to the Finals last year as the alpha dog.

The better question is when was the last time a score-only wing who is best optimized as a small-ball 4 won a title as the alpha dog?

[MojoPharoah]

Melo over Curry

Melo is a better scorer, more versatile, can defend, pass and impact the game a lot more than Curry

How can Melo impact the game as a scorer and passer more than Curry? That's just wrong-headed. Curry essentially is the GSW offense, and boosted the performance of multiple players. Melo, when he feels like it, is a better defender than Curry, but given the fact that both are hidden as much as possible, that difference is relatively trivial.

Currently, Curry is a much more impactful offensive player than Melo. That should not be up for debate really

[Mars_Blackmon]

Melo over Curry

Melo is a better scorer, more versatile, can defend, pass and impact the game a lot more than Curry

How can Melo impact the game as a scorer and passer more than Curry? That's just wrong-headed. Curry essentially is the GSW offense, and boosted the performance of multiple players. Melo, when he feels like it, is a better defender than Curry, but given the fact that both are hidden as much as possible, that difference is relatively trivial.

Currently, Curry is a much more impactful offensive player than Melo. That should not be up for debate really

because he can, he sees double teams far more often than Curry so it opens the floor for his teammates to attack the D

Melo is better than Curry thats not even debatable

[Mars_Blackmon]

I think if you put both in ideal situations you gotta take Melo

I always said only one man can stop LeBron's reign and thats Melo thats why LeBron is the only man in the NBA I'd build a team around over Melo

Um...Durant?

Nah Durant doesn't play for my home team so he's not nearly as good as Melo.

did I say Melo was better, I said Melo is only guy I think can stop LeBron's reign because he's the only guy who can neutralize his impact on the game head to head KD cant and hasn't shown he can

he wants to be LeBron he doesn't wanna beat LeBron

[Clyde Frazier]

For the record, I'd take curry over carmelo to start a team around given age and salaries. And even though he's been healthier of late, those jelly ankles curry has would still be a concern.

All things equal coming into the league, give me carmelo.

[MojoPharoah]

Melo over Curry

Melo is a better scorer, more versatile, can defend, pass and impact the game a lot more than Curry

How can Melo impact the game as a scorer and passer more than Curry? That's just wrong-headed. Curry essentially is the GSW offense, and boosted the performance of multiple players. Melo, when he feels like it, is a better defender than Curry, but given the fact that both are hidden as much as possible, that difference is relatively trivial.

Currently, Curry is a much more impactful offensive player than Melo. That should not be up for debate really

because he can, he sees double teams far more often than Curry so it opens the floor for his teammates to attack the D

Melo is better than Curry thats not even debatable

Are you serious?

Curry is more efficient as a scorer at a similar volume and a substantially better playmaker while having similar mediocre impact defensively.

Because of his range, Curry sees traps practically out to halfcourt all game long. But the doubles and traps he sees need to be very careful because he's such a tremendous passer, which allows him to contort and twist defenses to a degree Melo has NEVER approached. For just one example, Curry is the biggest reason why Iguodala's shooting a career high from beyond the arc.

The only player in the league who bends opposing Ds to a worse extent is Durant.

[MojoPharoah]

Um...Durant?

Nah Durant doesn't play for my home team so he's not nearly as good as Melo.

did I say Melo was better, I said Melo is only guy I think can stop LeBron's reign because he's the only guy who can neutralize his impact on the game head to head KD cant and hasn't shown he can

he wants to be LeBron he doesn't wanna beat LeBron

Don't know where you are drawing that conclusion from. KD's taken his already substantial skill-set and added playmaking by taking cues from LeBron and Bird. Don't see that as a flaw, especially when you can see the results of that experimentation have put him on a historic Jordanesque pace.

Besides, both KD & PG can neutralize LeBron's game impact when going H2H

[MojoPharoah]

What does that even mean? What are the similar players to Melo who have won?

6'3 point guards don't win finals MVP as much as 6'8 forwards do.

Billups and Parker have 2 combined Finals MVPs in the last 10 years. The closest player to Melo that I can think of to win Finals MVP in that time frame would be Pierce (08).

Sorry, but LeBron is not a similar player to Melo...at all.[/quote]

I wouldn't even call Pierce similar, because Pierce is willing and able to be a Point Forward when needed, like 08 because Rondo was still green.

[Mars_Blackmon]

did I say Melo was better, I said Melo is only guy I think can stop LeBron's reign because he's the only guy who can neutralize his impact on the game head to head KD cant and hasn't shown he can

he wants to be LeBron he doesn't wanna beat LeBron

Don't know where you are drawing that conclusion from. KD's taken his already substantial skill-set and added playmaking by taking cues from LeBron and Bird. Don't see that as a flaw, especially when you can see the results of that experimentation have put him on a historic Jordanesque pace.

Besides, both KD & PG can neutralize LeBron's game impact when going H2H

no they cant

PG damn sure can't, Durant if he keeps up this mentality he has lately can probably do it

I'm drawing my conclusion form watching the games, LBJ imposes his will on KD and George he doesn't do the same vs Melo and you can rewatch every game they play Melo gives him the toughest match up of all 3 thats a given

[Mars_Blackmon]

How can Melo impact the game as a scorer and passer more than Curry? That's just wrong-headed. Curry essentially is the GSW offense, and boosted the performance of multiple players. Melo, when he feels like it, is a better defender than Curry, but given the fact that both are hidden as much as possible, that difference is relatively trivial.

Currently, Curry is a much more impactful offensive player than Melo. That should not be up for debate really

because he can, he sees double teams far more often than Curry so it opens the floor for his teammates to attack the D

Melo is better than Curry thats not even debatable

Are you serious?

Curry is more efficient as a scorer at a similar volume and a substantially better playmaker while having similar mediocre impact defensively.

Because of his range, Curry sees traps practically out to halfcourt all game long. But the doubles and traps he sees need to be very careful because he's such a tremendous passer, which allows him to contort and twist defenses to a degree Melo has NEVER approached. For just one example, Curry is the biggest reason why Iguodala's shooting a career high from beyond the arc.

The only player in the league who bends opposing Ds to a worse extent is Durant.

you dont watch Melo, you watch box scores

have a nice day

[Doctor MJ]

you dont watch Melo, you watch box scores

have a nice day

I love how somehow a player who is only truly exceptional at scoring large amounts is now argued to be someone underrated by stats. Melo does not have a mysterious game. Everybody gets scoring. The tricky part of understanding the game is understanding everything else.