Where to play the Melo Man?

[MaxRider]

I expect he'll start as an interchangeable forward alongside Tucker
much like James and Chris are interchangeable playmakers/scorers in the backcourt.

I also expect his minutes will get staggered in a fashion similar to CP3. Between Harden, Gordon, Anthony and Paul, the team will always have at least two legit scoring threats on the floor at all times.

Agreed.

If I were MDA this would roughly be my rotation:

PG: Paul (30) / Harden (18)
SG: Harden (20) / Gordon (28)
SF: Ennis (26) / Green (16) / Melo (6)
PF: Melo (24) / Tucker (14) / Anderson (10)
C: Capela (30) / Tucker (10) / Nene (8)

Melo subs in/out with CP3 every time. Start him, keep him on/off the floor with his banana boat buddy, stay drama free. Keep at least 3 of our defensive "plus" players (Paul, Gordon, Ennis, Tucker, Capela) on the court at any given time.

Still hoping Morey can turn Anderson and picks into a 3&D (Bazemore or Lee?) wing. I don't like Tucker or Melo at the 3 at all. And as much as I love Green and am happy he re-signed, his defense is super inconsistent.

Work your magic Dork Elvis...

38 mpg for Harden is too much, i like to keep it less than 36
if Anderson still with the team, he will play more at backup C
i see no reason to play Nene more than 2 games per week
should give playing time to Hartenstein

[Revived]

He’s not coming off the bench.

[moofs]

He’s not coming off the bench.

Regarding the OKC Stat Padders, he’d have been stupid to do so.

With us, he’d be stupid to not do what the coach asks.

[Alex_De_Large]

Bench, dude has no D.

[MaxRider]

people complaining player on MDA team don't play defense
if you tell people this 2 years ago
everyone will be laughing at your face

[BallerTalk]

people complaining player on MDA team don't play defense
if you tell people this 2 years ago
everyone will be laughing at your face

Two years ago???
Just last season people here were saying the Rockets don't play defense they just try to outscore everyone.

Seriously, a lot of people didn't acknowledge the Rockets' defensive legitimacy until they saw them match the Warriors in the WCF.

[moofs]

people complaining player on MDA team don't play defense
if you tell people this 2 years ago
everyone will be laughing at your face

Two years ago???
Just last season people here were saying the Rockets don't play defense they just try to outscore everyone.

Seriously, a lot of people didn't acknowledge the Rockets' defensive legitimacy until they saw them match the Warriors in the WCF.

WAIT, are you suggesting that people had an opinion that was WRONG and IGNORANT and then when PROVEN WRONG by reality, instead of acknowledging their wrongness, they dropped that opinion like a dead fish, adopted the obvious truth, then moved right past it toward another point of sale that they could advocate that would make them feel comfortable for reflecting what they want once again?

Doesn't sound plausible.

[Mr. E]

I find it hard to believe that people would hold onto an ignorant opinion about the Rockets despite evidence to the contrary.

Other than those numerous and sometimes recent times that has happened, when is the last time that happened?

[moofs]

Other than those numerous and sometimes recent times that has happened, when is the last time that happened?

Yogi Berra agrees.

[Mr. E]

Other than those numerous and sometimes recent times that has happened, when is the last time that happened?

Yogi Berra agrees.

He was smarter than the average Berra.

[RaoulDuke79]

First round exit confirmed! Houston, we have a problem! Derp de derpaly dooerp!

[twix2500]

It's apparently the Rockets pursuing James Johnson is to find a suitable forward who can play next to Melo. Getting JJ doesn't matter which forward you name Melo. Because JJ will defend the best power forward or small small forward on the floor and he will play point forward on offense.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

[jwise44]

It's apparently the Rockets pursuing James Johnson is to find a suitable forward who can play next to Melo. Getting JJ doesn't matter which forward you name Melo. Because JJ will defend the best power forward or small small forward on the floor and he will play point forward on offense.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

I’d love jj as long as it doesn’t cost capela, pj or Gordon

—should note that I don’t see Miami giving him up without pj or Gordon coming back

[moofs]

It's apparently the Rockets pursuing James Johnson is to find a suitable forward who can play next to Melo. Getting JJ doesn't matter which forward you name Melo. Because JJ will defend the best power forward or small small forward on the floor and he will play point forward on offense.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

I’d love jj as long as it doesn’t cost capela, pj or Gordon

—should note that I don’t see Miami giving him up without pj or Gordon coming back

Ohhhhhh, i’d been hearing “James Jones” this whole time.
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jonesja02.html

“Wait... defense??? Isn’t he like, retired?”

[RightToCensor]

It's apparently the Rockets pursuing James Johnson is to find a suitable forward who can play next to Melo. Getting JJ doesn't matter which forward you name Melo. Because JJ will defend the best power forward or small small forward on the floor and he will play point forward on offense.

Sent from my SM-T550 using Tapatalk

I’d love jj as long as it doesn’t cost capela, pj or Gordon

—should note that I don’t see Miami giving him up without pj or Gordon coming back

Miami could find themselves with a boatload of cap space in 2020 if they flip their players on three year deals for ones that expire earlier as well as stay under the luxury tax. James Johnson and salary filler for Ryan Anderson is the type of deal Miami should be looking for if they want to explore that avenue.

[K_chile22]

Woj's piece says the rockets expect to bring melo of the bench

[BallerTalk]

Woj's piece says the rockets expect to bring melo of the bench

Not exactly.
Said he will compete for a starting role.

Read on Twitter

Woj story on ESPN

[K_chile22]

Woj's piece says the rockets expect to bring melo of the bench

Not exactly.
Said he will compete for a starting role.

Read on Twitter

Woj story on ESPN

He edited it after everyone was reacting as though he coming off the bench was a done deal

[GreatWhiteStiff]

Gratz for handing another ring to golden state for destroying your team with Melo and i am not joking. I am not trying to start anything just stating an opinion that will prolly be a fact in 10 months ish.

If i am wrong then the D'antoni deserves coach of the year ... er correction coach of the decade cause he got something out of a player who is running on fumes and a shell of a player. Good luck with melo -- your going to need it.

Good thing that a 2.1m former all-star is easily cut or traded if he doesn’t work out, neh?

Check my comment history. I’ve been super anti-Melo for 8+ years, and even I think this is a good move, whether it works or not.

I actually find it somewhat unlikely that Carmelo Anthony is cut or traded if he doesn't really work out. An expample would be (hey its the same guy!) Carmelo Anthony of last season. I think his past allstar teams is not particularly relevant to his current performance (though maybe it helps you get a trade partner).

Could be wrong about both points though.