Melo to OKC

[shopson67]

At least you have a good approach unlike others

I would hate to see the team chasing "stars" only to hinder the development of budding stars already on the roster. That means no Westbrook unless he's going to become a scorer instead of playing point. Lebron essentially at PF would be fine, even if the offense is running through him at that position.

I'd rather see the Lakers use that cap space to continue to build their young roster. If they don't re-sign KCP and Lopez (as expected), SG and C are the real positions of need.

 

[CitySushi]

I think it's a low risk trade and a good one for the Thunder. Kanter wasn't going to get them anywhere and they gave up very little to get Melo, who's basically a better scoring version of Kanter at the very, very worst. Great trade for the Thunder.

The problem with the mesh will be more about position than anything, imo. Melo's best position imo, is at the 4. But Melo has always shown reluctance and an unwillingness to play the 4. I think if they can get Melo to buy in and be willing to bang low with other 4's on defense, the Thunder then become a dangerous team. If Melo is unwilling to budge and wants to be a 3, with Russ and PG on the wing, it makes the Thunder less dangerous with the cluster of players being isolationists on the wing.

I just don't know how 3 rock pounders are going to do together. To be honest there's 1 guy who will make or break this situation and it's Russell Westbrook. He's the unquestioned leader of the team. But he's also a guy who's usage rate is crazy. Can he become the example of sharing for the other two guys? He's going to need to be the guy who shows them that it's about winning and not about shots.

Russ is truly going to need to transition to a hybrid point now rather than mostly a scoring point. He's going to need to have games where he may only take 12 shots, but have 14 assists. Other games he may need to take 26 shots. Can he be a guy who's willing to take on that responsibility. If he's able to, I think Melo and PG will be able to follow suit. If not, then it'll be the Russ/KD, my turn your turn, all over again. IMO.

 

[shopson67]

I agree, solid move for the Thunder. They gave up two defensive liabilities and a second round pick and got a reliable scorer than can play both forward positions. All new lineups require some time to gel, and maybe this config doesn't end up working together, but it's worth the shot (especially when trying to keep Russ and George in town).

 

[Heatles84]

Well, the new trio will actually all start, so there's that. All of them play more defense than Harden, another plus. Then again, the refs play more defense than Harden...

Them all starting has nothing to do with the talent level comparing the 3. Thabo Sefalosha was the starting 2-guard on those OKC teams; is he a better player than Harden?

Since Russ is the common denominator, you take him out of the equation and it comes down to:

Melo/George vs. Harden/Durant

Durant's the better player clearly over any of the other two. Harden has the same defensive efficiencies that Melo has as well. I'd take the old OKC big 3 over the new one, not saying that the new one is bad or anything.

 

[Captain Confusion]

Nice farewell note to Knicks fans from Melo..

DEAR NEW YORK - Melo

 

[Cyder]

I'm surprised the Knicks even got that much for him considering Jackson spent the better part of 2 years devaluing him. I thought they would end up releasing him or taking back a crap contract and get nothing.

I'm happy for Melo, he showed class and kept his mouth shut while Jackson was a total fool and bad mouthed him at every turn. At least he'll be on a team that makes the playoffs. Who knows? Maybe he'll learn a little about playing D from George

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Nice farewell note to Knicks fans from Melo..

DEAR NEW YORK - Melo

Cant access

Can someone post that?

Appreciated

 

[gordontrue]

Cant access

Can someone post that?

Appreciated

Dear NEW YORK,

From the day I first met you, I knew we were meant to be together. It was love at first sight. From a very young age you taught me something that I will never forget- how to survive within the belly of the beast. I must admit it was scary, frightening at times. But, not fully aware of my purpose, I was being molded and prepared for the rest of my life without even knowing. My first nine years went by so fast. By the time I really was starting to understand, it was time for me to move on and start another chapter in my life. That chapter was called BALTIMORE. Instantly, I’d fallen in love again. (Hence the saying LOVE HAS NO BARRIERS). I guess I was all too familiar with the Belly of the Beast. I learned how to survive, I learned the sense of community, I learned about responsibility, as well as becoming a P.O.M.E (Product Of My Environment). You catch my drift. Then I had to depart again to go on this long journey where my ART OF WAR skills would be tested. Lots of good times and lots of bad times. Losing myself at times, questioning myself in the midst of finding KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, and UNDERSTANDING. Several years, months, days, hours, seconds went by and I found myself having an opportunity to get back with my first love. (Its called CIPHER in my lessons). It was a sense of rebirth.

I came to NYC to B (Be) Born again. The sense of something extraordinary happening left me with a lot of sleepless nights dreaming of possibilities. The one thing I kept telling myself was ‘Make my mark in NYC and I’d be a made man’.

New York equipped me to make it in any other place in the world. It taught me how to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Saying Goodbye is the hardest thing to do. I never thought I would, especially to you. No one will ever take your place. It’s hard to find someone like you, so know you will always be missed. You helped me laugh. You dried my tears. Because of you, I have no fears. You came into my life and I was blessed. It’s time to raise my hand and say goodbye. It’s not the end, because like I’ve always said, NYC ‘til the end.

I’ve known you for years now, and I must say they’ve been the best years I’ve ever had. You helped me become the person I am today. I just want you to know YOU will always be in my heart. No matter what happens, I will always LOVE YOU. Although this goodbye is just temporary, this is the hardest goodbye for me to say. I wipe the tears off my cheek and smile at the same time because I know that we will meet again someday. “I’ve had my shining moments, upon this life darkened stage.” And in my BOOK of WONDERMENTS, you will never be just another page. Your bright lights will travel with me far past when all the other lights go out.

“The years pass. The times change. The only thing that survives and transcends this inevitable process, that shines brighter with each new era is the record of a GREAT human spirit that has endured struggle and remained true to its deepest convictions to the very end.” I had to ask myself, toward what goal or achievement am I striving in life? I know life can be full of contradictions. It can be unfair, unforgiving, too. I cannot afford to dismiss it and turn my back to the world. I was given a choice to sink or swim. I’m choosing to swim. ‘Til the very end. No matter how much the seas around me may rage.”

THANK YOU

ThisIsMe7o

Thank you to All My Fans who supported me through Thick and Thin. And those who continued to support The Knicks regardless of the outcome. Thank You to Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization and all the hardworking people that don’t get the credit they deserve. And most importantly, Thank you to the City of New York for allowing me to represent OUR city. 7eace be with you

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Dear NEW YORK,

From the day I first met you, I knew we were meant to be together. It was love at first sight. From a very young age you taught me something that I will never forget- how to survive within the belly of the beast. I must admit it was scary, frightening at times. But, not fully aware of my purpose, I was being molded and prepared for the rest of my life without even knowing. My first nine years went by so fast. By the time I really was starting to understand, it was time for me to move on and start another chapter in my life. That chapter was called BALTIMORE. Instantly, I’d fallen in love again. (Hence the saying LOVE HAS NO BARRIERS). I guess I was all too familiar with the Belly of the Beast. I learned how to survive, I learned the sense of community, I learned about responsibility, as well as becoming a P.O.M.E (Product Of My Environment). You catch my drift. Then I had to depart again to go on this long journey where my ART OF WAR skills would be tested. Lots of good times and lots of bad times. Losing myself at times, questioning myself in the midst of finding KNOWLEDGE, WISDOM, and UNDERSTANDING. Several years, months, days, hours, seconds went by and I found myself having an opportunity to get back with my first love. (Its called CIPHER in my lessons). It was a sense of rebirth.

I came to NYC to B (Be) Born again. The sense of something extraordinary happening left me with a lot of sleepless nights dreaming of possibilities. The one thing I kept telling myself was ‘Make my mark in NYC and I’d be a made man’.

New York equipped me to make it in any other place in the world. It taught me how to Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable. Saying Goodbye is the hardest thing to do. I never thought I would, especially to you. No one will ever take your place. It’s hard to find someone like you, so know you will always be missed. You helped me laugh. You dried my tears. Because of you, I have no fears. You came into my life and I was blessed. It’s time to raise my hand and say goodbye. It’s not the end, because like I’ve always said, NYC ‘til the end.

I’ve known you for years now, and I must say they’ve been the best years I’ve ever had. You helped me become the person I am today. I just want you to know YOU will always be in my heart. No matter what happens, I will always LOVE YOU. Although this goodbye is just temporary, this is the hardest goodbye for me to say. I wipe the tears off my cheek and smile at the same time because I know that we will meet again someday. “I’ve had my shining moments, upon this life darkened stage.” And in my BOOK of WONDERMENTS, you will never be just another page. Your bright lights will travel with me far past when all the other lights go out.

“The years pass. The times change. The only thing that survives and transcends this inevitable process, that shines brighter with each new era is the record of a GREAT human spirit that has endured struggle and remained true to its deepest convictions to the very end.” I had to ask myself, toward what goal or achievement am I striving in life? I know life can be full of contradictions. It can be unfair, unforgiving, too. I cannot afford to dismiss it and turn my back to the world. I was given a choice to sink or swim. I’m choosing to swim. ‘Til the very end. No matter how much the seas around me may rage.”

THANK YOU

ThisIsMe7o

Thank you to All My Fans who supported me through Thick and Thin. And those who continued to support The Knicks regardless of the outcome. Thank You to Jim Dolan and the Knicks organization and all the hardworking people that don’t get the credit they deserve. And most importantly, Thank you to the City of New York for allowing me to represent OUR city. 7eace be with you

Thanks Gordon

That is awesome and genuine, the guy truly loved it here, and should have been loved more

 

[Captain Confusion]

Thanks Gordon

That is awesome and genuine, the guy truly loved it here, and should have been loved more

I agree 100 % - Unfortunately he was treated unfairly IMO not only by Jax but uneducated fans looking for a scapegoat when it's ownership that has meddled /sucked for over 10+ years. Only thing I fault Melo is when he came over he should have waited until free agency instead of forcing that trade giving up the Knick's upcoming young core of players.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I agree 100 % - Unfortunately he was treated unfairly IMO not only by Jax but uneducated fans looking for a scapegoat when it's ownership that has meddled /sucked for over 10+ years. Only thing I fault Melo is when he came over he should have waited until free agency instead of forcing that trade giving up the Knick's upcoming young core of players.

Thats fair for sure about forcing the trade......

I just find it funny with Knicks fans complaining about the guy they celebrated through the streets when they got him........He came to NY as a prolific scorer that was flawed defensively.......To hear people through the years complain about him defensively, well, thats exactly who he always was........He was for the most part exactly what the Knicks thought they were getting, and he took the brunt of the blame for an organization that could not assemble a roster around him that was capable enough

 

[LALakersboy24.7]

Can't wait to see the 1st fight between Melo & Westbrick.

 

[Captain Confusion]

Thats fair for sure about forcing the trade......

I just find it funny with Knicks fans complaining about the guy they celebrated through the streets when they got him........He came to NY as a prolific scorer that was flawed defensively.......To hear people through the years complain about him defensively, well, thats exactly who he always was........He was for the most part exactly what the Knicks thought they were getting, and he took the brunt of the blame for an organization that could not assemble a roster around him that was capable enough

B I N G O - Although I'd argue that when he did focus on defense he was actually not that bad. Unfortunately he used to give up on some plays (Not all) out of frustration which I don't condone and pissed fans off. (Me included) - I still have a bad taste of 2013 playoffs, they were doing great versus Boston with a hodgepodge of grizzled vets until they pissed Boston off wearing funeral black and then bonehead JR Smith got ejected which got the momentum shifted. Oh well back to plan Z

Best of luck to Melo

 

[SJ76]

My goodness is the East now the new D league?

 

[shopson67]

Them all starting has nothing to do with the talent level comparing the 3. Thabo Sefalosha was the starting 2-guard on those OKC teams; is he a better player than Harden?

Since Russ is the common denominator, you take him out of the equation and it comes down to:

Melo/George vs. Harden/Durant

Durant's the better player clearly over any of the other two. Harden has the same defensive efficiencies that Melo has as well. I'd take the old OKC big 3 over the new one, not saying that the new one is bad or anything.

Sure. However, one of those trios exists and the other hasn't for what, 5 years? Unless you're playing video games, it doesn't really matter. Harden at that time was not the same as Harden today either. Does that mean you get Melo from 5 years ago too? It's a pointless comparison really.

Westbrook/George/Melo vs CP3/Harden/Nene? Who would you use as the 3rd for the Rockettes?

 

[shopson67]

My goodness is the East now the new D league?

Wade could be the next one going west

 

[SJ76]

Wade could be the next one going west

He's a shell of his former self though. Can't really D anyone up, can't really blow by anyone to get to the rack, and can shoot it every now and then. I love DWade, but he's getting old.

Shit I don't even know if he's still on the Bulls. I would expect him to be gone soon if not already.

 

[shopson67]

He's a shell of his former self though. Can't really D anyone up, can't really blow by anyone to get to the rack, and can shoot it every now and then. I love DWade, but he's getting old.

Shit I don't even know if he's still on the Bulls. I would expect him to be gone soon if not already.

He agreed to a buyout yesterday.

 

[SJ76]

He agreed to a buyout yesterday.

I expected him to head to Cleveland.

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

I expected him to head to Cleveland.

Spurs showing interest, which has to be tempting also

I dunno, he was the worst player on the court in the collapse vs Boston

Not sure how much a team improves with Wade