MeloDrama Part VI

[DE FENSE]

I think Phil is knee deep in negotiations trying to move Bargs without surrendering too much. And its not for Lebron, its for Pau.

[Deeeez Knicks]

A lot sure has changed since the good ol days when everything was leaked. Phil cleaned out the moles. Its been real quiet on his side.

[NowWHYcee7]

If Melo wants Chicago, then I don't want him.

Melo is not a good GM. He was wrong about Lin, and he's wrong to think the Knicks are far behind Chicago (if he does think that). We're not. But it depends on him buying into a system and waiting another year for cap space.

If he'd rather go to Chicago, who wants this guy? He already doesn't trust passing the ball to his teammates, he brought that scourge JR Smith with him and thought Felton was going to do just fine. With all respect, his judgment on talent is bad and it shows. He also wanted the Knicks to draft that bum he was friends with (forgot name).

He either buys in to what Phil is doing or he doesn't. No more me-first players. So if he's hesitant because of our prospects, which he must be to hesitate on all that money, then just tell him bye bye. Go find another team. He can play in Chicago for 15M or LA or whatever. I wouldn't S&T him to Chicago either. Hell no.

Damn bro you still on Lin's dick? I don't come here like that, only recently because of the Melodrama but damn.... Lin is ass, get over it.

[nyJnyKnyY]

A lot sure has changed since the good ol days when everything was leaked. Phil cleaned out the moles. Its been real quiet on his side.

You know who the mole had to have been? HERB!!!!!!!!!

[AmazingJason]

A lot sure has changed since the good ol days when everything was leaked. Phil cleaned out the moles. Its been real quiet on his side.

You know who the mole had to have been? HERB!!!!!!!!!

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. Putting 2 and 2 together.

[mpharris36]

I think Phil is knee deep in negotiations trying to move Bargs without surrendering too much. And its not for Lebron, its for Pau.

maybe phil just wants to keep shump and thjr and wants to trade bargs and possibly a future 2nd rounder to clear the necessary space to get us under the apron to sing Pau to the full MLE or a S&T.

[Brooklyn_Yards]

Greece’s Thanasis Antetokounmpo will be able to show his skills when the Knicks open their Las Vegas Summer League schedule Friday, but The Post has learned it will be the last American venue for their second-round selection for a while.

According to source close to the defensive specialist, the Knicks drafted him with plans of stashing him in Europe for one season, even if he has a solid summer league showing. The Knicks have their first summer-league practice Tuesday in Las Vegas. Antetokounmpo was selected by the Knicks with the 51st pick, which they acquired as part of the Mavericks trade that sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas.

The Post reported last week a Greek team was interested in signing the 21-year-old brother of Bucks rookie revelation Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as “The Greek Freak.”

Thanasis played last season in the D-League with the Delaware franchise, averaging 12 points and four rebounds. But the 6-foot-7 guard needs more seasoning in Jackson’s eyes, though the organization loves his tenacity. Jackson also doesn’t want to waste one of his 15 roster spots. It is unclear which team Antetokounmpo will play for in Europe.

The summer league will be highlighted by second-round pick Cleanthony Early of Wichita State, who the Knicks thought would go in the mid-to-late first round. He has been called the steal of the second round by many experts, and the Knicks believe he’ll thrive in the triangle offense.

Knicks officials have not commented yet on their draft picks.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC29jD_sWw8[/youtube]

[AmazingJason]

I think Phil is knee deep in negotiations trying to move Bargs without surrendering too much. And its not for Lebron, its for Pau.

maybe phil just wants to keep shump and thjr and wants to trade bargs and possibly a future 2nd rounder to clear the necessary space to get us under the apron to sing Pau to the full MLE or a S&T.

Can't we dump Bargnani for a 1st rounder?

[blumatic]

Nice read.

Melo Ball goes back to the future
July, 7, 2014
1:35
PM ET
Strauss By Ethan Sherwood Strauss
ESPN.com

There was a time when it didn’t look as if Carmelo Anthony would be so sought after at age 30. When he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks in February 2011, he was the bane of the advanced-stats community, his reputation sliced sharpest by cutting-edge analysis.

With his less-than-super-efficient high scoring average, Anthony might well have symbolized how casual fans get snookered into worshipping false idols. His volume shooting was the past, and players of more balanced yet subtle skill sets were the future. That iso ball that the "eye test" loves was so early Iverson-era. It had no place in the NBA’s version of a Moneyball revolution.

Less than four years later, Anthony plays host to a vigorous recruitment effort from advanced-stats godfather and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. Melo is the missing piece in Chicago, the foundation of a new era in Los Angeles. Yes, there are still concerns over whether Anthony will be worth a five-year max contract, and there remains criticism of Anthony's defense. But ultimately, Anthony’s New York adventure has seen a rehabilitation of his game, if not his reputation.

It took some unfortunate injuries to Amar'e Stoudemire, but the Knicks managed to stumble upon a Carmelo Anthony better suited for this era. Playing power forward, Anthony received better spacing, and he ultimately started making better choices. In the season before his trade to the Knicks, fewer than 14 percent of Anthony’s shots were 3-pointers. Last season, 25 percent of his shots were from behind the arc.

By shifting his shot selection from the dreaded “long 2” zone out to where shots count for an extra point, he moved to the forefront of basketball. Shooting is in, "stretch-4s" are in. The game had seemingly left isolation scorers behind, but Melo, one of the shiniest examples, has persevered.

After a shaky, injury-addled first full season in New York, Anthony notched his two best seasons according to player efficiency (PER) and win shares. Not only did the numbers look better, but his game got more aesthetically pleasing. Decisions were quicker, the ball stuck less often. He turns the ball over far less than he did back in Denver. There are still bouts of grinding iso-ball, but it’s not like the old days when Anthony would average more turnovers than assists.

You can blame him for the lack of options (the Knicks were strip-mined because Anthony forced a trade to New York), but it’s getting harder to find fault with his offensive approach. His game has matured from headstrong to nuanced. Guard him with a mobile wing and he can post that guy into some pain. Guard him with a burly big and he can lose that guy for many an open 3-pointer.

“Olympic Melo” is the nickname for that sweet-shooting forward we’ve seen in international competition. He thrives in an environment where the ball is shared around the arc and shot from behind it. That’s where basketball is heading, if this latest, emphatic San Antonio Spurs championship is any indication. The NBA is trending toward a drive-and-kick international style that just so perfectly fits the guy who, earlier in his career, was the caricature of American-style hero ball. Melo was the past before he took a few steps back and became the future.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... the-future

[bishnykfan]

Relax guys. Melo still needs to cash on a few more free dinners this week. I am sick of the haters getting mad at Melo cashing in on the free steak, lobster and dom perignon that he earned and deserves

There is zero benefit to him rushing to anything. Or making anything official. Anyone that needs to know anything, knows already.

He may also be waiting to see if Phil can magically unload Amare and Bargs and pull off the impossible and sign he and Lebron. Or maybe he just wants Pau to come here at the MLE because then he knows next season will be Marc and he believes that is enough to compete in the East.

Not sure it is, but a competitive team may be enough to make Melo happy.

agreed 100% what if he agreed to the supermax today and then realized that if he took 1 million less we would be under the tax apron to be able to acquire maybe Pau Gasol via a S&T.

I am sure he would want to go back in time and take the 1 million less to bring in Pau.

That is the point, I think he is just waiting on phil to tell him what kind of #'s would make sense. We can't decide that till some other things happen first.

Can't they say that they have verbally agreed to a contract without releasing the numbers if that were the case? I'm not saying he won't end up back in NY, but the longer it goes the more it appears that he wants something else. I still think he will be a Knick for max money though, but there is no reason not to announce a verbal agreement and if he wants to wait to finalize numbers to see what Phil can do then fine. Wouldn't it be easier to get a commitment from a guy like Pau if Melo had signed?

[K_ick_God]

I wasn't attempting to start a debate on Lin, nor will I respond to anymore posts about him here, but Melo was dead wrong about Lin IF ONLY for the fact that it brought us Ray Felton, which is a big part of the reason that we're in jeopardy of losing Melo in the first place.

That's even if Lin was not very good, because Ray is that bad, and the void at PG also caused us to rely on JR so much more too -- disastrously bad decision. But Lin will be very good, and had already established himself as a point guard who can handle the job in New York.

Sorry Melo's GM skills are not to be relied on. He thinks JR is good.

[god shammgod]

I think Phil is knee deep in negotiations trying to move Bargs without surrendering too much. And its not for Lebron, its for Pau.

maybe phil just wants to keep shump and thjr and wants to trade bargs and possibly a future 2nd rounder to clear the necessary space to get us under the apron to sing Pau to the full MLE or a S&T.

Can't we dump Bargnani for a 1st rounder?

i can never tell when you're serious or not. it's a very good strategy, always keep em guessing.

[AmazingJason]

Nice read.

Melo Ball goes back to the future
July, 7, 2014
1:35
PM ET
Strauss By Ethan Sherwood Strauss
ESPN.com

There was a time when it didn’t look as if Carmelo Anthony would be so sought after at age 30. When he was traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks in February 2011, he was the bane of the advanced-stats community, his reputation sliced sharpest by cutting-edge analysis.

With his less-than-super-efficient high scoring average, Anthony might well have symbolized how casual fans get snookered into worshipping false idols. His volume shooting was the past, and players of more balanced yet subtle skill sets were the future. That iso ball that the "eye test" loves was so early Iverson-era. It had no place in the NBA’s version of a Moneyball revolution.

Less than four years later, Anthony plays host to a vigorous recruitment effort from advanced-stats godfather and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. Melo is the missing piece in Chicago, the foundation of a new era in Los Angeles. Yes, there are still concerns over whether Anthony will be worth a five-year max contract, and there remains criticism of Anthony's defense. But ultimately, Anthony’s New York adventure has seen a rehabilitation of his game, if not his reputation.

It took some unfortunate injuries to Amar'e Stoudemire, but the Knicks managed to stumble upon a Carmelo Anthony better suited for this era. Playing power forward, Anthony received better spacing, and he ultimately started making better choices. In the season before his trade to the Knicks, fewer than 14 percent of Anthony’s shots were 3-pointers. Last season, 25 percent of his shots were from behind the arc.

By shifting his shot selection from the dreaded “long 2” zone out to where shots count for an extra point, he moved to the forefront of basketball. Shooting is in, "stretch-4s" are in. The game had seemingly left isolation scorers behind, but Melo, one of the shiniest examples, has persevered.

After a shaky, injury-addled first full season in New York, Anthony notched his two best seasons according to player efficiency (PER) and win shares. Not only did the numbers look better, but his game got more aesthetically pleasing. Decisions were quicker, the ball stuck less often. He turns the ball over far less than he did back in Denver. There are still bouts of grinding iso-ball, but it’s not like the old days when Anthony would average more turnovers than assists.

You can blame him for the lack of options (the Knicks were strip-mined because Anthony forced a trade to New York), but it’s getting harder to find fault with his offensive approach. His game has matured from headstrong to nuanced. Guard him with a mobile wing and he can post that guy into some pain. Guard him with a burly big and he can lose that guy for many an open 3-pointer.

“Olympic Melo” is the nickname for that sweet-shooting forward we’ve seen in international competition. He thrives in an environment where the ball is shared around the arc and shot from behind it. That’s where basketball is heading, if this latest, emphatic San Antonio Spurs championship is any indication. The NBA is trending toward a drive-and-kick international style that just so perfectly fits the guy who, earlier in his career, was the caricature of American-style hero ball. Melo was the past before he took a few steps back and became the future.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_ ... the-future

It's pretty much the main reason why Melo is considered good right now. Shooting 3s at a high percentage made him into a much more efficient scorer.

[god shammgod]

I wasn't attempting to start a debate on Lin, nor will I respond to anymore posts about him here, but Melo was dead wrong about Lin IF ONLY for the fact that it brought us Ray Felton, which is a big part of the reason that we're in jeopardy of losing Melo in the first place.

That's even if Lin was not very good, because Ray is that bad, and the void at PG also caused us to rely on JR so much more too -- disastrously bad decision. But Lin will be very good, and had already established himself as a point guard who can handle the job in New York.

Sorry Melo's GM skills are not to be relied on. He thinks JR is good.

you don't even know it was because of melo that he's gone. that's based on nothing.

[suicidedeuce]

Sorry Melo's GM skills are not to be relied on. He thinks JR is good.

You mean the guy who won 6th man of the Year a year ago?

Him you mean?

[AmazingJason]

maybe phil just wants to keep shump and thjr and wants to trade bargs and possibly a future 2nd rounder to clear the necessary space to get us under the apron to sing Pau to the full MLE or a S&T.

Can't we dump Bargnani for a 1st rounder?

i can never tell when you're serious or not. it's a very good strategy, always keep em guessing.

He's still a former #1 overall pick, a mobile center with 3-point range, slashing ability and solid post-up defense. Him for a 1st rounder could be considered a steal for another team (not us).

[defjux21]

Greece’s Thanasis Antetokounmpo will be able to show his skills when the Knicks open their Las Vegas Summer League schedule Friday, but The Post has learned it will be the last American venue for their second-round selection for a while.

According to source close to the defensive specialist, the Knicks drafted him with plans of stashing him in Europe for one season, even if he has a solid summer league showing. The Knicks have their first summer-league practice Tuesday in Las Vegas. Antetokounmpo was selected by the Knicks with the 51st pick, which they acquired as part of the Mavericks trade that sent Tyson Chandler to Dallas.

The Post reported last week a Greek team was interested in signing the 21-year-old brother of Bucks rookie revelation Giannis Antetokounmpo, known as “The Greek Freak.”

Thanasis played last season in the D-League with the Delaware franchise, averaging 12 points and four rebounds. But the 6-foot-7 guard needs more seasoning in Jackson’s eyes, though the organization loves his tenacity. Jackson also doesn’t want to waste one of his 15 roster spots. It is unclear which team Antetokounmpo will play for in Europe.

The summer league will be highlighted by second-round pick Cleanthony Early of Wichita State, who the Knicks thought would go in the mid-to-late first round. He has been called the steal of the second round by many experts, and the Knicks believe he’ll thrive in the triangle offense.

Knicks officials have not commented yet on their draft picks.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NC29jD_sWw8[/youtube]

I really like Thanasis but I think this is the correct choice. He's still really raw but he has great tools. Let him develop for one more year.

Also a sign that Phil expects to win now so rotation players will be mostly vets rather than young players needing development.

[K_ick_God]

Sorry Melo's GM skills are not to be relied on. He thinks JR is good.

You mean the guy who won 6th man of the Year a year ago?

Him you mean?

Yes him. He's a horrific player. Just like 2-time 6MOY Jamal Crawford sucks too.

[god shammgod]

Can't we dump Bargnani for a 1st rounder?

i can never tell when you're serious or not. it's a very good strategy, always keep em guessing.

He's still a former #1 overall pick, a mobile center with 3-point range, slashing ability and solid post-up defense. Him for a 1st rounder could be considered a steal for another team (not us).

well done

[YouthMovement]

man george karl is on sportscenter talking nonsense about melo.

you are a hater. you have never won anything.

so Ironic you'd say that since the person Karl Is bashing hasn't won anything in the NBA either. People that continue to defend Melo make me laugh.

defend melo against what? someone who continually criticizes Melo's defense yet has coached teams for years that don't play defense. Did you even watch the segment I'm referring to? The guy said a coach needs to sit him down and explain to him how to win. This is coming from a guy who coached Melo for the majority of his career.

And for the record I'm indifferent as to if Melo stays or not. George Karl is just jobless and spiteful.