Yeah Nick, your point is taken and I understand your position -and I certainly wouldn't consider doing it during the playoffs because I agree you are in win mode.
But I also think it's personal perspective on this issue:
1. When I was learning how to play the game, I always sought out the guys who could just destroy me and I'd have it. Next day, first one on the court, waiting for another beating. "Could" "not" "wait" for the beating. Eventually I was the one handing out the beatings - some guys still go the better of me but the gap was smaller.
As a player, I don't think you can figure out how to beat the players that better than you by constantly playing guys who are worse than you.
Now, I'm not talking about bringing Melo up and starting him and playing him for 38 minutes a night while he's getting his ass beat.
I'm only talking about a 5 minute run in a game we have control of or early in the game where the few mistakes he might make won't be the sole determining factor on the outcome of the game.
2. Bring him up, send him back - and if a 5 minute beating from other players in the best league on the planet ruin a young guy's confidence, I think perhaps that guy maybe should pack his bags and take up basket weaving or something. Last time I checked the NBA was a man's league not a baby's league. But that's just how I look at it.
If I were coaching, I'd just tell him:
"look, you might get your ass handed to you in this five minutes tonight, but don't worry about it, because I'm certainly not". We know the learning curve is high and you're developing. Just get in there, mix it up, make some mistakes and have some fun out there. Figure out where you're at and try to get a sense of what you think you need to work on."
Work hard, try hard and most importantly jsut have some fun out there.
I really don't think that experience for Melo would crush him psychologically or irreparably damage the fortunes of the 2013 Boston Celtics.