Hating on Melo: Why?
by CraftyB on Nov 23, 2009 4:48 PM MST
122 comments
I really thought we were past this. The 27 game-winning shots, the 25 ppg/6 rpg career, his current 30 pts/2 steals per game pace, the ocassionally brilliant interior passing, the highlight reel finishes, last year's franchise-best playoff run - I thought all this was sufficient to silence any remaining doubts about how crazyluckyrich the Nugs struck it when the Pistons took Darko and the XXL pot of gold known as Carmelo Anthony dropped into our laps.
But no. Every time the Nugs drop a game (which is known to happen in the course of an 82-game season, BTW, even on the best of teams), I see fans coming out of the woodwork to pin our woes on Anthony: he's selfish, he drives too much when he's not getting calls, the offense stops to watch when he's in isolation etc etc.
News flash: these are the side effects of having a player on your roster who is simply THAT GOOD. On any given night, these very same issues afflict the Lakers with Kobe Bryant, the Heat with Dwayne Wade, and the Cavs with LeBron James. Yet I don't hear their fans complaining. Would you rather we didn't have Melo and his automatic 25 & 5 a night? Besides Bryant, Wade, James, and maybe Dwight Howard, is there another player in the league you'd rather have? A player who gives us more night-in, night-out than we get with Melo?
Which leads me to this: BE GRATEFUL we have a player who puts the game on his shoulders when the rest of the team struggles (as we often have with this season with a misfiring Chauncey, a nicked-up Bird, and 7 games sans JR). BE GRATEFUL that Melo keeps taking it to the rack even when the calls don't go his way (would you rather he settle for long jumpers, as he did early in his career?). DON'T blame him for the stand-n-watch that goes on when he's got the ball (he can't MAKE the other four guys move), and quit acting like it's his job to get everyone else involved in the offense. Last I checked, Melo plays SF, not PG, and when the ball is in his hands, he SHOULD be trying to score. We didn't give him that max contract 'cus he's Steve Nash - we gave it to him because he's arguably the league's most natural and consistent scorer.
So please, next time you're getting ready to call him out after he or the Nugs have a bad game, just ask yourself: where would the Nuggets be without Melo? My guess is we'd be in the same place we were before he got here: scratching & clawing with the dregs of the league, dreaming of one day making it back to the playoffs. Whatever bumps he's hit (and will continue to hit - he's human) along the way, his accomplishments with and for the franchise over the past six-plus seasons have earned him the benefit of the doubt.
Write respectfully of your SB Nation community and yourself.
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this is what i have been saying...
some of these so called fans are blaming everything on melo, and they back up their arguments with retarded ideas
by hvino on Nov 23, 2009 5:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Preach on brother
that’s what i’ve been saying since i was birthed. Melo’s the best man (no homo). I wouldn’t even want that primadonna Lebron on my team.
by NugNugz on Nov 23, 2009 5:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Here, here!
I’ve had this conversation on numerous occasions. I don’t want, Kobe, Lebron, or Duncan on my team. I like the fact that we have an “elway-type” lifer superstar on our team. Some people don’t like the identity of this team because we’re “thugs”…I happen to think that this city needs a “tough-guy that can back it up” persona….
We as fans HAVE to love that we strike fear with at least one of our teams…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 12:42 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Whats with the wierd "no homo" thing?
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 1:01 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
It's a lil wayne saying
just leave it at that.
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 1:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
When you say something that sounds gay
just to reconfirm your masculinity you say “no homo”, as you wouldn’t want anybody suspecting that you might be homosexual.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 4:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
couldn't agree more
especially with “BE GRATEFUL that Melo keeps taking it to the rack even when the calls don’t go his way (would you rather he settle for long jumpers, as he did early in his career?)”
by skithebert on Nov 23, 2009 6:07 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Other team's fans
laugh their asses off at how we always find a way to blame Melo or try and trade him. IT IS RIDICULOUS! He is The Denver Nuggets! More than any other Nugget in team history, this is Melo’s team.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 23, 2009 6:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
This is my whole point
About being “obnoxious”(as other fans see us)! Not standing up for our superstar day-in-and-day-out (like those fucking laker fans and the maybe he did but-she’s probably just crazy-but regardless he-bought-his-wife-a-HUGE FUCKING RING-so he must be telling the truth and cried cause he got caught reasoning) it makes us look like we know nothing about what it takes to win!
Whew! I’m tired after that one…and if it doesn’t make sense, I think the drift is clear…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 12:59 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
being critical of melo is NOT the same as hating him
one person, made one fan post that blamed one loss on melo. one of the positives about tim duncan is he can be ripped like any other player on the spurs. most of the posts i read there is a certain amount things that you filter out and attempt to get the main ideas. the points i came away with is in spite of melo’s 37 points there were other parts of his game that cost the nuggets ONE win. i have read many times how some people feel about anthony carter committing turn overs. melo had 6 in one game. are turn overs a legitimate issue or does it depend which player makes them? should there be any sacred cows in sports?
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Nov 23, 2009 7:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Not about being critical - no problem with that
It’s about knee-jerk “it’s Melo’s fault” sentiment in game threads where the team comes out poorly, no one else hits shots and, despite his typical 25-30 pts/5 reb/2 steals, we lose.
No Melo and we’re not in those games to begin with – people forget that sometimes.
by CraftyB on Nov 23, 2009 8:56 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree however
There HAS to be blame put on the team as a whole. MELO CAN’T MAKE OTHER GUYS MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL! It’s not his fault that they stand around watching him…
We finally get a legitimate superstar, and because some people are so used to losing, we place blame on a guy who hasn’t missed the playoffs ONCE in his career…
That’s unbelievable when you think about it!
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 12:35 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Teamates don't move
becuase they know they won’t ever get the ball back again. Not so much recently, he’s actually been really good about passing lately, but I noticed in the first few weeks of the season the non-moving as well. I wouldn’t really say it’s them not moving becuase it’s just them not moving (they ARE pro basketball players, who have played this game their whole lives) but more of the fact that Melo didn’t pass to them, ever, when he got the ball. He always turned, faced up and drove or shot. It’s not a big deal anymore though, I’m loving Melo’s game lately.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 4:53 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
RE: turnovers
You’re talking apples & oranges. When AC starts taking over games and giving us 25-30 pts a night, I will happily withdraw criticism of his turnover rate.
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 7:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
From the strange stat club . .
Melo’ has the same turnover rate as Billups (i.e.turnovers per 100 player possessions) at 10.5%. JR Smith is the lowest at 9.5%. AC is at 21%. (Through 13 games)
http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DEN/2010.html
’Melo get a lot of turnovers, (so does Nash btw) but you have to expect that when he is initiated so much offensive in traffic.
by Frontrange on Nov 24, 2009 7:55 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Balk is at 27%
I’m still pulling for that guy
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 12:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Cheers
Love it. Sometimes dude puts up 37 and makes crucial mistakes that cost the team the game. Sometimes Melo’s aggressive offensive play leads the rest of the team to sit around and watch.
Melo is by far the Nugs best player and they wouldn’t be who they are without him. Everyone here loves having Melo on the team but sometimes the star has to take some blame for a loss. I am actually one who thinks the star should shoulder more of the blame for losses than others because he gets more of the praise and rewards for the wins.
Some people think the star can do no wrong. It is okay by me that they feel that way but that just isn’t how it works. Just like with AI, he could score 40 and often times his team lost. Some may say that if he took the aproach of trying to score 25 and get his team involved for the rest that they may have had a better chance at winning the game. This issue has also been discussed a lot surrounding Kobe Bryant’s career. Analysts used to say if Kobe scores too much then the team has less of a chance at winning.
All stars must get the balance down each game. What does my team need now? Do I need to attack or try to get my team playing better around me? There have been a couple games this year where Melo should have tried involving his team more. Just as there have been games where Kobe, DWade, and Lebron should have tried getting their teammates involved more.
Enough said.
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 12:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
It's not that I think Melo can do no wrong
It’s that in the losses where I’ve seen people complain about his play, I’m not sure what he was supposed to do. He can’t make guys move without the ball, he can’t make them hit open jumpers and finish better around the rim, and he can’t make them play better team defense.
When I watch Melo, I don’t see an AI-style ball hog, I see a guy doing everything he can to help us win, and with other guys struggling with their shot, that’s meant SCORING. Should he apologize for being so good it sometimes makes his teammates lazy? Should he pull a Kobe and refuse to shoot ’til everyone else is sufficiently “involved,” letting the game get completely out of reach in the meantime?
Nuts to that. We’re fortunate enough to have one of about a half-dozen players capable of completely taking games over, and I for one am not about to complain.
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 1:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Well said
I don’t think anybody thinks that Melo can do no wrong, but I think you put it best by saying he cant change a teammates mindset or where they are physically on the court.
Isn’t this why we watch the NBA? To watch the stars help their team win? A win/loss is ALWAYS everybody’s doing. not just one guy…
How come Kobe gets a “get out of jail free” card but nobody else when it come to this…..whoa. no pun intended…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 2:40 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Elway said the other day:
“Win OR lose, the QB gets too much credit.” and he’s right.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 2:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
He should do a lot of those things and he does
Melo is supposed to help other guys get open. He is supposed to make his team move without the ball. C’Mon Man!
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 2:54 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
How exactly is he supposed to "make" his team move without the ball?
Have Melo’s telekinetic powers escaped my attention?
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 3:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
You'd be shocked at how a glare will make someone move
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 3:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
hilarious
I’d love to see Melo glare at Kenyon…oh man, can you imagine….
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 3:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
So if I glare at Mark Cuban, will he get back on Dancing With the Stars?
Because Cuban’s stint on Dancing With the Stars was so terrible, I had to claw my eyes out with a shovel
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 12:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
What does a leader of a team do?
He has his guys respect and tells them to cut without the ball, set screens, get open, etc. Geese.
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 3:49 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, idk
Maybe yell at the top of his lungs with some passion “MOVE MUTHA FUKAS!!!”. He seems to be able to talk and complain to the refs whenever he feels he got fouled, I don’t see why he can’t just be more vocal with his teamates as well.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:06 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
And he is supposed to make/help them play better defense
In the games the Nugs win he obviously does. This is the area that Melo has improved the most in my opinion. It is a team sport and Melo is the star of the team.
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 2:56 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait.
So now you’re going with the “Melo has to do EVERYTHING for EVERYBODY else” card? You’re not giving a lot of credit to the other professionals on the team.
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 3:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No
His play on defense motivates his team. What is Melo in your eyes? Just a dude that shoots, dribbles, rebounds, passes, and plays man on man defense? He is a leader on the team and the best player. He motivates his team through his play. In case you missed the memo defense is a very difficult TEAM aspect of this TEAM game we love. When Melo is playing the good d we started seeing last year and into this year it is contagious throughout the rest of the team.
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 3:56 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
So when the defense is poor...
…it’s Melo’s fault for not having his teammates sufficiently motivated? And when guys miss open shots, it’s Melo’s fault for not getting them in rhythm?
I suppose you’re right. Here I was, all caught up in his absolute domination at SF, never realizing how he neglected his duties as PG/head coach…
“What is Melo in your eyes? Just a dude that shoots, dribbles, rebounds, passes, and plays man-on-man defense?” Ummm…yeah. I’d say that pretty much covers it. Just a dude that does most (if not all) of those things better than anyone on our team, better than most people in the league, and brings that skill to bear night-in, night-out. Seriously, what else is there?
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 4:43 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, it is partially Melo's fault when his teamates arn't motivated and playing well
He’s the leader of the team, it’s his RESPONSIBILITY!!!!
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:10 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Come on Dude
Do you really think that the team is just supposed to play as individuals? Always be great and Melo can do no wrong?
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 1:32 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
yeah "difficult TEAM aspect of this TEAM game we love."
That’s why i said maybe you should give the OTHER MEMBERS OF THE TEAM SOME FUCKING CREDIT AND SOME RESPONSIBILITIES BECAUSE ITS A TEAM FUCKING GAME!!!
But by your reasoning, if Melo decides to walk down the court, Then so is Kenyon Fucking Martin and Chauncey Fucking Billups!? Because WHATEVER and HOWEVER he’s playing so goes the rest of these guys who have been around a lot longer?
I get the motivation thing. But you have got to be kidding me that the 10-11 other guys on the team are only allowed to play hard if Carmelo is…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 5:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Wait. I guess I missed the punchline.
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:32 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
You take snidbits of my viewpoint and break them down to look stupid
Never did I say a damn thing about other guys not having responsibility. You are so irrational it makes me want to puke.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 1:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Listen to me for once, without writing me off with an insult.
Please for the love of fucking god, get some fucking self-perspective!
I’m actually looking at EVERYTHING you just wrote and don’t quite follow the godamned circular logic your using…
So, it’s not a team of individuals, EXCEPT for Carmelo who’s magical “leader dust” is going to make other players (who are human, just like me and…well, kinda you) follow his example?
You say it’s a team game. By your use of capital letters you meant for us to say it’s one unit! But when it comes down to blaming a loss on anyone, you go right to melo! That’s where the confusion comes from!
Why are you so fucking defensive when someone asks what you mean because it’s not clear?
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:24 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I'm actually pulling the SternfluffsKobe fluffs Gasus card!
by Gasus on Nov 24, 2009 3:57 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I see
Yeah, you know what?….you’re right! I kinda do don’t I? I get you all sorts of riled up or “fluffed” whenever I write anything. whats funny is how you start talking in circles: allow me to sum up what you wrote above:
This is a team game and entirely dependent on Carmelo Anthony.
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 5:42 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
That's fine
But there’s a difference between being grateful and being satisfied. Believe me, I am extremely grateful Melo landed in our lap, but that was 6 years ago. It’s time to live in the present, and being critical of your best player is, like Gasus said, only what we are meant to do as fans with championship aspirations.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:02 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
How has anyone here
not been anything but critical of Carmelo. All these comments say something about an aspect of his game that he should probably work on or has worked on etc….
And i wouldnt hitch my wagons to Gasus so easily….
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 5:44 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
You have been fluffing Carmelo all through out this post
Twisting peoples words to make your point. Acting like a child does in an arguement.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 1:36 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh my god man
You’re kidding me right? Do me and other people a GIANT favor…please re-read what’s been written before you shoot your trap off about me or anyone else just simply disagreeing with you.
For the love of god man, the irony of calling me a child is truly lost on you isn’t it?
And by the way, you will NEVER out-stubborn me when it comes to responding to YOUR absolute IRRATIONAL, hypocritical comments.
RE-FUCKING-READ everything before you respond.
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:30 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I like it!
Your stooping to my level! Finally some angry passion…but point it towards a common enemy like a nuggets opponent or fans of another team.
Jesus, we’re on the same side, spaz.
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:39 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
What else do you want Melo to do?
Aside from play the game once it starts?
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:42 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Sacred Cows
I think the short answer is “Yes!” There are absolutely sacred cows in sports and Melo is ours.
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 2:08 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I almost want them to Trade Melo to Chicago for Lol Dongs or something just so I can laugh at those idiots that criticized Melo as the Nuggets lose 60 games that year.
Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.
by UZ on Nov 24, 2009 12:01 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
You mean pull a "Cutler"?
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 24, 2009 12:37 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I guarantee
If you goto the Cleveland, Miami, or LA blogs. You will hear fans complaing the same way Nuggets fans sometimes do, and even fans bitching about needing a new coach. That just comes with the territory of having passionate fans who come to expect their team to play a certain way and hate to see them lose.
by CCH on Nov 24, 2009 9:09 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
You'd think so wouldn't you...
However, in the case of James, Wade and Bryant, they are untouchable in print, in blogs and on the small screen. We are the only idiots that regularly want our Superstar traded, our upper eschelon Coach (good ones are hard to come by!) fired and our no-brainer bench players (Balkman) to start…
Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect.
by Big Mickey D on Nov 24, 2009 9:25 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
The difference is...
…when you see Cav/Laker/Heat fans complain, you don’t see much “this loss is on LeBron/DWadeKobe.” They all have their share of bad games, but when they catch flak from their fans (rare compared to what Melo sees), there’s a fuller appreciation/acknowledgment of the fact that, whatever their negatives on a given night, that guy is the reason you’re in the game to begin with. With Melo, I don’t feel like that appreciation is always there.
Again, I have nothing against constructive criticism. My point is that even on his worst night, Melo gives us more than he ever takes away in terms of our chances to win, and that whatever issues accompany his game, they’re the kind of problems you want (and most struggling franchises would kill) to have.
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 10:14 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but Melo still isn't on Kobe/Wade/Lebron's level
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:14 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe not at Kobe's level
But I’ve got him pretty much even with LeBron (no rings, just like Melo, and not quite as money shooting in the clutch) and DWade (Heat haven’t done squat since his Shaq-aided rookie year).
Bottom line? Nugs minus Melo = Cavs minus LeBron = Heat minus Wade.
by CraftyB on Nov 24, 2009 5:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Your opinion ultimately
But he’s not on their level…yet. I’m not a huge numbers guy, but they are pretty self explanatory in this scenario.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 5:37 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed but...
Melo is making his mark this year and he is pretty damn close at this point. I think the ball hogging thing that he gets caught up in when the Nugs lose is the only thing that is holding him down.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 1:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Not concerned about that.
He’s no worse than Kobe, Lebron, Dwade, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins or any other great scorer.
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 25, 2009 7:08 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of Lebron.
At least we dont have a 1 on 5 offense.
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 25, 2009 7:25 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
True that
The Nugs are a much better team than the Cavs but Melo has some proving to do to be considered league wide as dominant as Lebron (he has been starting to do it in the playoffs last year and into this year with his play on defense which didn’t exist up to that point). Don’t get me wrong, I would rather have Melo on my team than Lebron because I don’t like Lebron but dude can ball big time.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 9:40 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, Melo's close
But there are still a few things he has to do before he’s on their level. First off, he has to keep playing consistent defense. I am loving what he is doing right now, but he needs to make his defense a key part of his game. I’m not so sure he has done that yet, but again he’s close. He also needs to get his assist up, imo. You look at Kobe, Lebron and Wade and thier assists are always 5 or more. Melo is still only hanging around the high 2’s to low 3’s, but again, the last few games he has really shown his passing ability, and you know what, it’s better than Wade’s, Lebron’s or Kobe’s, so that’s why I just don’t get why he doesn’t pass that much. I think a Finals appearance would single handedly put him in their category, but that’s not looking too realistic with the Lakers out West.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 25, 2009 1:59 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Melo will probably never average 5 assists per game
unless he is ever on a team with a sub-par roster of point guard and has to handle the ball more.
I think George knows to not let him hold the ball too much, and gives it to players who facilitate better overall ball movement like Billups.
Anthony is a good passer, but doesn’t have the mastermind to oversee a whole offense like a true floor general (billups).
by Missing Lynx on Nov 26, 2009 12:05 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
it doesn’t take a PG to average close to 5 assists per game. Wade does it, Kobe does it, obviously Bron Bron does it. But even guys like Iggy, Roy, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Steven Jackson and Lamar Odom average close to 5 per game, and most of those guys are in the same position as Melo. All 5 assists really means for a forward or SG, is that 5 times during the game they chose to hand it off to a teamate who is in a position to score maybe better than they are. Is that really that much to ask for? Especially with a guy who is as good as Melo.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 26, 2009 3:05 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Lynx has a point but
I do think he is setting his standards too low for Melo. My conclusion to this whole deal is that if Melo scores 20 to 25 the Nugs are a much better team unless he scores 45 where they have been really good in the past as well.
by Gasus on Nov 27, 2009 12:07 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Why dont you like Lebron?
I mean, what about him don’t you like? I’m curious because everyone else thinks hes gods gift to the sport of basketball and Ive never quite gotten it?
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
To almost all of these posts...
+1
Props to CraftyB
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 24, 2009 9:55 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Before last season . . .
I was critical of Melo. (Okay, Syracuse over KU in the 2003 NCAA championship game didn’t help.) But the guy matured last year under Billup’s leadership (or was it just getting rid of AI?). This year with the weight loss, off-season commitment to training, and improved efficiency on the court Melo has improved his own play and is developing as team leader.
Is he perfect? No. He still has to be more consistent in his defensive game and he still whines too much to the refs on missed calls on the offensive end – which in turn affects his defense. The good news is he is improving in both of these areas.
People complaining need to remember that a superstar can’t drag a team to the NBA finals. A team needs to be solid all around. If just having a superstar were enough, LA would have been winning titles with just Kobe, which it never did. It took Shaq+Kobe or, last year, Kobe+Gasol to take LA to the promised land.
Anyone looking for strong improvement from the Nuggets is going to have to look somewhere other than Melo. He is already carrying the water night in and night out.
by JTR on Nov 24, 2009 10:21 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
"People complaining need to remember that a superstar can’t drag a team to the NBA finals."
Unless you are Allen Iverson in 2001 and LBJ in….2007?
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 24, 2009 1:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Now you cant win the chip...
but still.
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 24, 2009 1:22 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay,
go ahead and ruin my sermon.
Regarding AI, you have to play defense to be considered a superstar in my opinion, so that leaves AI out. (Okay, I’m in the minority there.) That said, AI didn’t get there alone. He had the Defensive player of the Year – Mr. Finger Wag – on board with him. Aaron McKie was NBA 6th man of the year. Oh, and having “the greatest basketball coach who ever walked the earth” – Larry Brown – on the sidelines didn’t hurt either!
by JTR on Nov 25, 2009 10:57 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that was the Eastern Conference in 2001 and 2007 = Supremely Weak Competition
by blooming rock on Nov 25, 2009 3:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
very true.
but still AI went there and took the first game in LA… They initially made it look good. Iverson had nobody on that team. It was ALL him. Aaron mckie winning sixth man is a joke and DPOY doesnt mean that much. As nugget fans we should know that (Marcus Camby). All true tho nonetheless.
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 25, 2009 7:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
>>Aaron mckie winning sixth man is a joke
Yes, it made me a little sick writing that down.
You are right about Camby. Camby won DPOY because the rest of the Nuggets sucked on D. and that suckage included AI. No surprise that twice AI was on a team were one of his teammates was awarded DPOY.
You’re right though, AI’s scoring outburst in game 1 of the LA series did carry the 76ers that day.
by JTR on Nov 26, 2009 1:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I think the whole thing happening to AI in the NBA is bullshit
Just more evidence of the colusion that runs rampant in the NBA in my opionion.
by Gasus on Nov 27, 2009 12:08 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree CraftyB
On the other hand Gasus makes a good point about the star shouldering blame. You can’t account for 25-30% of a teams offense in a loss and expect no backlash over shot selection and decisions. In comes with the “star” title. Melo should embrace the blame and take charge. (Which he’s done BTW) By doing this he shows it is his team and he’s responsible for it. I can’t say I’ve ever seen or even heard of Melo accusing his team mates for a loss.
Bottom line is that the fans owe Melo a great deal of gratitude for pulling Nuggets Basketball out of the Bickerstaff bon fire. I mention that so that we don’t forget what an 11 win season feels like. Haters keep talking. When Melo saves the day again the bandwagon will be accepting fans.
by Joelsopinion on Nov 24, 2009 2:04 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
Carmelo is the most underrated player in the NBA
His first step is blazing quick and he is impossible to guard. His defense is improving and also gaining more intensity, so what if he has a bad game because come playoff time he’ll bring it just like he did last year.
"Good, Better, Best, never let it rest until your good is your better and your better is your best." Tim Duncan
by flynn4blazers on Nov 24, 2009 9:46 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
the scary part
melo can be even better. he can do so much more on defense. rebounding and defending away from the ball can put him in the elite class of the nba. melo averages 10 rebounds per game along with his scoring he will be the mvp. his 3 point shot attempts are down and his free throw shooting % is up. nuggets need to be a top 10 rebounding team to get to the finals.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Nov 24, 2009 10:03 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I'd rather see his assists go up to 5pg
But I really hope his steals stay above 1.5 pg. If he could average 30ppg, 7 rpg, 5 apg, 1.5 spg and keep his percentages all up, and the Nuggets finish with the 2 seed or better, I think he would win it.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 24, 2009 11:04 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
rebounding
denver is 23rd in the nba in team rebounding. phoenix is ranked 3rd. their leading rebounder is grant hill at 7.6 rpg. before tonight denver’s 4 guards averaged 9.1 rpg. nene, kmart and andersen combined for 23 rpg. the team average before tonight was 40+ rpg. tonights total for denver was 40 rebounds. when denver lost to the clippers they won the rebound battle 34 to 33. andersen did not play and averages 6.7 rebounds. afflalo’s 8 rebounds against the nets was a huge step forward. they need more boards from earl and melo to contend.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
by nohoops4u on Nov 24, 2009 11:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
AND
Rebounding is an absolute “hustle” stat! And we can do it with great positioning around the basket!
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:36 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I agree 100%
But Melo is not going to suddenly learn to box out and be as tenacious on the glass as Charles Barkley. He already has a natural ability to pass the ball, and he has shown it the last few games. Plus, he’s already averaging 7 boards per game, that’s plenty for a guy his size, but his assists are very low for a player of his caliber, and that’s why I would like to see those. It would open up the floor and make it even easier for him to operate when he needs to score becuase people wouldn’t close in on him like they have done, becuase they know he has that ability to kick it back out.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 25, 2009 2:09 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
yes
i think we all agree that there are a few occasiions where the old “hold on to the ball a little to long” Melo shows up. But I truly think that at least a few of those times its because some guys arent presenting a target or option. Melo also chooses to shoot from the outside more times than not automatically putting him further away from the hoop. I wish he’d ( and others ftm) follow his shot a little…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I just hope Melo will carry the Nuggets deep, deep into the playoffs
I also hope that he’ll hold up my fantasy team. Seriously, I managed to pick him at SEVENTH…and Nene at 74th!
OK, that was off topic
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 9:35 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Players I would rather have than Carmelo Anthony
1. Lebron James
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Dwyane Wade
4. Dwight Howard
5. Chris Paul
To me, Melo is still in that second tier of superstars with guys like Dirk, KG, and Kevin Durant. He’s a top-10 player in the league. Luckily for us, he has as much more more upside as anyone not named Lebron James or Kevin Durant.
I also give the man his due, because so far this season he’s played infinitely better than anyone except Lebron. We’ll wait and see if he can maintain this frenetic pace, but it looks like he may finally be turning that last corner into full-fledged unstoppable machine on the offensive end. The defense and rebounding are coming around as well.
Needless to say, I’m glad we got him instead of Darko. However, I’d still rather have had Lebron. Stupid fixed NBA lotteries. :(
by Nick C. on Nov 25, 2009 5:46 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Carmelo forever!
Dwight Howard is huge….grabs rebounds…blocks shots….still has no offensive game.
Chris Paul does EVERYTHING for the Hornets and they still cant do shit. Look at them now.
Lebron James. He’s great. But he has no killer instinct. In the clutch…he’s more liable to shoot a step back 3 than to take it to the whole and dunk on somebody and get fouled like he should. Plus he cant shoot nearly as good as Melo does. He has a decent field goal percentage because he gets so many easy dunks during the game. PLUS….Lebron hasnt led his team to the playoffs every year either despite being in the weaker eastern conference (it was such a damn shame and fluke that he got ROY over Melo).
Dwade and Kobe….well…yeah…thats Dwade and Kobe. They are on another level. Wouldnt trade Melo for either tho…I’d rather watch him get to that level…which I have been doing since 2003.
I hear what you’re saying tho. Just love my Melo.
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 25, 2009 7:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you on everything except CP3
His team is loaded with bullsh*t. David West averages like 15 points, 8 rebounds without CP3 and 20 points, 9 rebounds with him. Emeka Okafor is big, but pretty slow and has almost no offensive game beyong 5 feet, and he was overrated defensively in Charlotte because he played for Brown and because he was the only big in their starting lineup. Darren Collison and Marcus Thornton are decent, but everybody else on their roster just cant produce. Peja is washed up, Posey is washed up, Julian Wright is almost as bad as Julius Hodge. Hilton Armstrong is about as good as Petro.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 9:39 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Does loyalty not count for anything when choosing a player? LeBron James has been nothing but a little bitch since he got to Cleveland. He runs that franchise and it’s ridiculous. He even made a person on the team fly to Washington D.C. one day to get the wizards home jerseys (the wiz were playing IN CLEVELAND THE SAME NIGHT) because he wanted to wear the cavs away jerseys at home because they matched better with some shoes he was debuting that night. true story. He’s such a primadonna. I’d take melo over him everyday. Melo wants to be here…Wants to sign an extension, while Lebron has the media world acting like a circus. Same with DWade. Carmelo forever.
by NugNugz on Nov 25, 2009 8:13 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
Word
I pretty much hate everyone on that list except D-wade. I’m indifferent about Lebron.
by skithebert on Nov 25, 2009 8:47 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Howard seems like an OK guy
So does CP3 when he’s not bitchslapping other point guards. I really hate Kobe, I am starting to really hate Lebron, and I am indifferent with Wade.
Lebron revels in his media attention…its sickening. Some reporter even had the guts to ask Melo about Lebron’s 2010 escapade. If it were the other way around, nobody would ask Lebron questions about Melo. Melo’s underratedness is why he’s one of my favorite Nuggets players of all time…but Alex English and Dikembe Mutombo still top him in my book
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 9:42 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
+1 NugNugz
Put Chris Paul in the prima donna category too.
I’ll take Melo over any of those players.
by CCH on Nov 25, 2009 8:54 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Here here
It’s wierd when people say they want a different player than Melo…I’d take being in the playoffs EVERY year with a CHANCE to win it all over just having “the greatest player on the planet freak show” the Lebron brings to a team…
Plus, I think for someone who doesn’t handle the ball (ie: bring the ball up the court) Carmelo’s a pretty incredible scorer….
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 11:07 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I think you could put Melo in the same category as Wade, Howard, and Paul
The other 2 are still better players until Melo proves otherwise. Up to the playoffs last year I would have agreed with you 100 and maybe even put him below the likes of Dirk, Nash, KG, Pierce, etc.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 9:46 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
wow
really? what has LeBron done again that Melo hasnt? won a championship? or…and Chris Paul? really?
And I’ll give you that D-wade and Kobe could be considered better players, but I wouldnt want Kobe Bryant anywhere NEAR my franchise….
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I think Melo is on the same level as Lebron James right now.
The kicker is I think Lebron is at his full potential right now. Carmelo has a higher ceiling. He’s already more clutch than Lebron and has a way better jumpshot.
by CombatChuk on Nov 25, 2009 1:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
yes
Thats exactly right. and i get that Lebron has put up some gawdy numbers here and there, but Melo is consistently strong.
Also, Lebron was dubbed the greatest player ever before he stepped onto an NBA court.. so that helps…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 1:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, but
He’s not NEARLY as athletic or explosive. If Melo was more explosive, fast, and just plain athletic, then I would pick him any day over Lebron.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 25, 2009 2:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm glad Melo doesn't simply rely on his freakish athleticism to be dominant
HIs game will age MUCH better than Lebron’s and propaly D-wades, too. Unless both of them significantly improve their jumpshooting.
by blooming rock on Nov 25, 2009 3:31 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Many people would argue this one with you till they are blue in the face
Some think you can teach a jumper and teach a guy to play defense like Lebron needs. Those same people would say you can’t teach Lebron’s freakish athletic ability. Damn straight Melo has freakish athletic ability but it ain’t Lebron.
by Gasus on Nov 25, 2009 4:00 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think LeBron is at his full potential
He still needs a solid low post game, which he lacks, but he has the strength, length and athleticism to develop it. He’s too infatuated with being a wing, when he could really be a dominant low post scorer as well.
Not that Melo isn’t amazing, or that Melo can’t become even more amazing, just that you’re seriously underestimating LeBron’s ceiling.
by Reverend_Randy on Dec 11, 2009 1:24 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Wow
Sure, it’s a plus to have a guy like Melo who is loyal to the organization, but up to this point so has CP3, Lebron, Wade and Kobe. All of them are with the same teams they started off with. And I love and appriciate Melo and what he has done to this organization, but if you are telling me you wouldn’t have had the lottery balls fall any other way in 03, specifically us getting the #1 pick, then I tell you, you’re freakin crazy man.
by GoldenNugget on Nov 25, 2009 2:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
We were really lucky that Dumars drafted some guy named Darko
And Kiki woulda drafted Darko if he had the 1st pick…he even said that a few days before the lottery.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 9:34 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
No
Dont get me wrong. If the balls had dropped differently, then we might be having the same conversation about whoever we picked, ya know?
Chris Paul thing I dont get. I mean the assists and pretty good scoring, but that ATTITUDE, man. dudes a prick. but maybe that doesnt matter.
And as far as Melo v James, youre right. On a purely atheletic ability thing, you best your ass it’s Lebron. BUT Melo has the fastest first step and there has been no one like him at the 3. He is one of a kind. and im not even quite sure what position Lebron is listed at and i think that creates a slippery slope in him playing 1 on 5…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 2:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
no
but would we be fundamentally different? meaning, would we have a championship? and at what point would we go “if only James could work on his outside shot…I wish he could shoot like Carmelo Anthony”…grass is always greener i guess. And I perfer the underdog/dont see me coming/prove people wrong role…
I like our chances against anyone and I like Carmelo’s style of being a super-star….
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 25, 2009 4:58 PM MST reply actions 0 recs
My only snitch with Melo is that he could be a bit better at passing and defense
But truthfully, I’d rather have him than Kobe or Lebron.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
by LACK on Nov 27, 2009 9:32 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
hey now
don’t snitch on melo, haven’t you listened to anything he said?…sorry couldn’t resist
As for the whole who I’d rather have debate. I love Melo, its a baised love though. I love him because I remember the late nineties to 2002 nuggets. I remember when Skita and Nene started along sides the likes of vincent yarborouh and Juwan Howard, i remember tim hardaway throwing tv monitors and I can never forget Bernie Bickerstaff. If i look at it objectively though I would say Lebron, Wade and Kobe are all at a slightly higher level. Melo has yet to go into the playoffs, against a powerhouse team and completely refuse to allow his team to lose. Kobe has done it numerous times against numerous teams, Wade did it to the Dallas Mavericks, Lebron did it to the Detroit Pistons (see Tayshaun Prince, one of the best wing defenders cringe in fear as Lebron drives to the basket again and again) CP3 and Dwight also have yet to do this. I think those 6 guys (maybe Deron Williams as a 7 and KD is definitely on his way) are still above all the others in the league but the top 3 and the 4,5,6 there is just a tiny iota of difference, IMO.
by Zachm219 on Nov 28, 2009 10:48 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah but
What do those three guys have in common? (well at least two of them)….SHAQ. yes, Kobe won last year and he is absolutely a DOMINANT player that can take over a game…and he’s the ONLY one out of the three that I would say is better than Melo…
How do you think Melo would do with a player like Shaq?
Also, all those guys have another thing in common: they’re gaurds. They touch the ball WAY more than Melo…
by SternfluffsKobe on Nov 29, 2009 1:30 AM MST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
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