Melo to OKC

[trojanfan12]

I don't think this will happen,

But their optimal lineup IMO would be to bring Melo off the bench. It would allow them to start big with Taj, allow Melo to anchor the second unit and be a finisher. He would still play starter minutes, just get his rest at different times than normal.

Agree. It'll be interesting to see if Melo buys into not starting though.

 

[tlance]

Carmelo should know it's him.

Not sure I agree.

George is a far better player overall, but Melo is probably the best scorer on the team. Definitely a better scorer than George.

 

[bksballer89]

I don't think this will happen,

But their optimal lineup IMO would be to bring Melo off the bench. It would allow them to start big with Taj, allow Melo to anchor the second unit and be a finisher. He would still play starter minutes, just get his rest at different times than normal.

You do know taj went to Minnesota right?

 

[Mecca]

You do know taj went to Minnesota right?

Yeah, they signed Patrick Patterson who is broken.

 

[tlance]

You do know taj went to Minnesota right?

LOL. Yes I do. Brain fart.

I was looking at depth charts earlier today thinking how tough Minnesota's top 6 are going to be.

 

[wildturkey]

People out here acting Melo is a bum. Get outta here. So he can't lead a team to the Finals by himself and he used up all the possessions. So what. There's a list of all stars a mile long that are just the same. But his skillset matches up perfectly for guy to be the 2nd or 3rd banana in a 3 all star line up. The Olympic stuff isn't a fluke. He can play that way. Westbrook and George are the best teammates he's ever had. He'll fit just fine. The far bigger question is if Westbrook will share the ball with TWO all stars. He had trouble sharing with one (KD) and would often just alternate isos. Melo and George will be fine. Westbrook is the one that needs to adjust.

OKC could be really good, possibly the best chance of beating GS if everything gels. Westbrook, Roberson, George, Melo, Adams is a damn good starting 5 that can go blow for blow with anyone. Their bench however...is really weak barring big step ups from Grant or if Ferguson is a lights out rookie. Felton and Patterson could offer some line up flexibility but OKC's best bet is gonna be hybrid line ups where 2 of the 3 stars are on court at all times. A super small line up of Felton/Westbrook/Roberson/George/Melo could possibly hang with GS's death line up as well. Really the entire key to their success of if they can beat GS is Andre Roberson. He's been a total negative on offense to the point of being played off the court. If he can get close to being a respectable shooter (like barely sniffing league average from 3), everything opens up.

Regardless, its a no lose situation for OKC. Just like the George trade, they dumped a bad long term contract (Kanter) for a one year deal. They're all in this year. Considering this team cheaped out on paying James Harden (and all the tax implications) a full year before they had to, I highly doubt they'll resign all 3 guys. So they're going for it all. And even if all 3 leave, they've got a totally clean cap sheet for a brand new start. Presti played this perfectly.

The Knicks? Whatever. It stinks for them but they Melo had limited value. They save little money and get no real difference makers. But its their own fault since they sabotaged his trade value all last year. Just another day being the Knicks

 

[msgkings322]

i wonder what the odds were yesterday, and now tomorrow

OKC title odds went from 20-1 to 16-1, wins from 51.5 to 52.5

Love your avi, nickname, and tagline

 

[msgkings322]

So seriously, who is the 2nd best player in the East now?

One of Kyrie, Wall, or Porzingis. Probably Wall
But man the East is just so much worse than the West

 

[msgkings322]

Antetokounmpo or wall

Forgot Giannis. Him or Wall.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

OKC title odds went from 20-1 to 16-1, wins from 51.5 to 52.5

Love your avi, nickname, and tagline

They're on to win one MORE with melo?!?

 

[True Lakers Fan]

Going to be interesting to see Carmelo, Paul George and Westbrook play together - they might be pretty good. Got to give the Thunder credit for trying to build a good team

 

[tlance]

People out here acting Melo is a bum. Get outta here. So he can't lead a team to the Finals by himself and he used up all the possessions. So what. There's a list of all stars a mile long that are just the same. But his skillset matches up perfectly for guy to be the 2nd or 3rd banana in a 3 all star line up. The Olympic stuff isn't a fluke. He can play that way. Westbrook and George are the best teammates he's ever had. He'll fit just fine. The far bigger question is if Westbrook will share the ball with TWO all stars. He had trouble sharing with one (KD) and would often just alternate isos. Melo and George will be fine. Westbrook is the one that needs to adjust.

OKC could be really good, possibly the best chance of beating GS if everything gels. Westbrook, Roberson, George, Melo, Adams is a damn good starting 5 that can go blow for blow with anyone. Their bench however...is really weak barring big step ups from Grant or if Ferguson is a lights out rookie. Felton and Patterson could offer some line up flexibility but OKC's best bet is gonna be hybrid line ups where 2 of the 3 stars are on court at all times. A super small line up of Felton/Westbrook/Roberson/George/Melo could possibly hang with GS's death line up as well. Really the entire key to their success of if they can beat GS is Andre Roberson. He's been a total negative on offense to the point of being played off the court. If he can get close to being a respectable shooter (like barely sniffing league average from 3), everything opens up.

Regardless, its a no lose situation for OKC. Just like the George trade, they dumped a bad long term contract (Kanter) for a one year deal. They're all in this year. Considering this team cheaped out on paying James Harden (and all the tax implications) a full year before they had to, I highly doubt they'll resign all 3 guys. So they're going for it all. And even if all 3 leave, they've got a totally clean cap sheet for a brand new start. Presti played this perfectly.

The Knicks? Whatever. It stinks for them but they Melo had limited value. They save little money and get no real difference makers. But its their own fault since they sabotaged his trade value all last year. Just another day being the Knicks

This is spot on.

In the end, I don't think it will be enough to dethrone GS even if everything goes perfectly and they add a guy like Wade, but, they are definitely the closest right now.

GS does such a good job exposing 1 way players, and the Thunder have 2 that will be playing heavy minutes (Roberson and Melo). I think Melo and Russ each stepping up to be more consistent defenders will be just as important as Roberson making some open shots.

 

[Four4Four]

Durant's last year with the thunder, Donovan had them passing and sharing the ball towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. That's how they discovered Kanter and Adams can actually play. And thats how they were able to get a 3-1 lead on ghe warriors. Share the ball, drop the egos and that's how this team will win a lot of games

 

[True Lakers Fan]

People out here acting Melo is a bum. Get outta here. So he can't lead a team to the Finals by himself and he used up all the possessions. So what. There's a list of all stars a mile long that are just the same. But his skillset matches up perfectly for guy to be the 2nd or 3rd banana in a 3 all star line up. The Olympic stuff isn't a fluke. He can play that way. Westbrook and George are the best teammates he's ever had. He'll fit just fine. The far bigger question is if Westbrook will share the ball with TWO all stars. He had trouble sharing with one (KD) and would often just alternate isos. Melo and George will be fine. Westbrook is the one that needs to adjust.

OKC could be really good, possibly the best chance of beating GS if everything gels. Westbrook, Roberson, George, Melo, Adams is a damn good starting 5 that can go blow for blow with anyone. Their bench however...is really weak barring big step ups from Grant or if Ferguson is a lights out rookie. Felton and Patterson could offer some line up flexibility but OKC's best bet is gonna be hybrid line ups where 2 of the 3 stars are on court at all times. A super small line up of Felton/Westbrook/Roberson/George/Melo could possibly hang with GS's death line up as well. Really the entire key to their success of if they can beat GS is Andre Roberson. He's been a total negative on offense to the point of being played off the court. If he can get close to being a respectable shooter (like barely sniffing league average from 3), everything opens up.

Regardless, its a no lose situation for OKC. Just like the George trade, they dumped a bad long term contract (Kanter) for a one year deal. They're all in this year. Considering this team cheaped out on paying James Harden (and all the tax implications) a full year before they had to, I highly doubt they'll resign all 3 guys. So they're going for it all. And even if all 3 leave, they've got a totally clean cap sheet for a brand new start. Presti played this perfectly.

The Knicks? Whatever. It stinks for them but they Melo had limited value. They save little money and get no real difference makers. But its their own fault since they sabotaged his trade value all last year. Just another day being the Knicks

I wouldn't call him a bum but not my first choice either because he lacks team player skills

 

[Pastafazul]

thats who the knicks get for one of the best scorers in the game? who the phuck in enes kanter??? is dolan purposely sabotaging NY? how the phuck in NY fans tolerating this schitt!!!

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

thats who the knicks get for one of the best scorers in the game? who the phuck in enes kanter??? is dolan purposely sabotaging NY? how the phuck in NY fans tolerating this schitt!!!

You can say fuck and shit....

 

[tlance]

thats who the knicks get for one of the best scorers in the game? who the phuck in enes kanter??? is dolan purposely sabotaging NY? how the phuck in NY fans tolerating this schitt!!!

We had this discussion last year.

Yes, they probably could have gotten a little more, but like everyone told you last year, Melo had very little trade value because his production is worth less than his contract. NY was never going to return highly valuable assets in return.

 

[Pastafazul]

ahh hogwash!!!! melo will shut you all up playing in another city. Here, he was cursed playing for the worst org. in history. one name started it all dolan, then came isiah, then came nothing butt schitt!

 

[tlance]

ahh hogwash!!!! melo will shut you all up playing in another city. Here, he was cursed playing for the worst org. in history. one name started it all dolan, then came isiah, then came nothing butt schitt!

He is a good player. Not an elite one. Good players making $30 million aren't worth a lot in trade.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

He is a good player. Not an elite one. Good players making $30 million aren't worth a lot in trade.

He was. He's declining fast