Melo vs DeAndre Jordan

[arambone]

Here's Melo's upside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPMHJkvDdJA

Maybe not quite the defender, but Melo will be able to hit jumpers beyond 5 feet.

[gar]

Don't know how to put this; but rebounding takes a lot of intelligence. You have to approximate the course of the ball, see how much spin is on it. Understand how it will bounce when it hits the rim and know how to position yourself to block other people out.

Maybe some of this is instinctive; but he has not shown that instinctive grasp to date so I have trouble seeing him as a good rebounder.

[pearljammer10]

If melo could turn out to be a Jordan type is be ecstatic. I'm hoping he can be somewhat of a Marcus canny like presence in the middle but probably not as many rebounds. In a couple years I'd be happy with 7 points 8 rebounds and 3 blocks a game.

[billysan]

Don't know how to put this; but rebounding takes a lot of intelligence. You have to approximate the course of the ball, see how much spin is on it. Understand how it will bounce when it hits the rim and know how to position yourself to block other people out.

Maybe some of this is instinctive; but he has not shown that instinctive grasp to date so I have trouble seeing him as a good rebounder.

Definitely agree but I would add he doesnt seem to have the 'inherent' aggression that really good rebounders show when going after the ball. Maybe it is reaction time or a lack of recognition where the ball is going to be.

I am not sure if any of this can be developed or if it is as simple as teaching him how to better position so he have a better chance at the ball as it comes off the rim and glass.

[gar]

With Rebounding I just remember that at a certain point something clicked for me and I was somehow able to anticipate where the ball was going to be. It was amazing. Maybe it was all the pin ball and pool I played as a kid or the physics class I took, so don't know how quickly he will be able to latch on.

[arambone]

I don't think Melo will ever be an outstanding rebounder, because he's not a natural banger, but he should be able to tip lots of balls to teammates, in addition to grabbing his share of boards.

I think 15 points, 8.5 boards, and 3+ blocks per game is realistic for Melo eventually, especially playing with Rondo.

If he's putting up those numbers and getting named to 1st, 2nd, or 3rd team All Defensive Team, that's Tyson Chanlder/Marcus Camby-ish right there.

[Edgar]

Perk was pretty raw and still lacks come basic fundamentals; but doc played him. Difference is when you are contending your decision making shifts from development to wins. Melo is more athletic / mobile that Perk. Could see Melo being better than Perk; but he will never be the beast that was Perk.

The Giddens pic always bugged me. Chalmers, Jordan, C-D Roberts and Sonny Weems were all on the board.

Perk was a chubby highsckooler with size with some dominance on that level
who the celtics pick and developed into  a good player

with a particular skill

maybe Melo will be that kind of player
its up to him
and competition

[Celtics4ever]

Right now his hands on rebounding stink.   I think he has more upside than Perk, he is taller and more athletic but I have doubts he has the work ethic that made Perk who he is today.

[itsthatbradguy]

I don't know that starting Melo is the answer. I'm happy with KG at center, it gave his career a shot in the arm that can't be overlooked. If there is a rookie to be started, it's Jared Sullinger at PF.

[billysan]

Right now his hands on rebounding stink.   I think he has more upside than Perk, he is taller and more athletic but I have doubts he has the work ethic that made Perk who he is today.

He also doesnt have Clifford Ray in his ear.

Cant underestimate his value to Perk's development.

[TripleOT]

Right now his hands on rebounding stink.   I think he has more upside than Perk, he is taller and more athletic but I have doubts he has the work ethic that made Perk who he is today.

He also doesnt have Clifford Ray in his ear.

Cant underestimate his value to Perk's development.

Since he declared for the draft and signed with an agent, Melo has been working with he best basketball skills trainer in the business. He will get better and better. 

[gar]

He can also learn alot from Sullinger. Sully is a great rebouder for his size. He blocks out and reads the ball well. He even if he just learns to block out he will be ahead of some of our bigs lately. With everyone so stat hungry blocking out is a lost art.

[dark_lord]

i think melo will spend time in maine and potentially get a few minutes here and there if our front court is plagued with injuries (knock on wood). 

[Chris]

i think melo will spend time in maine and potentially get a few minutes here and there if our front court is plagued with injuries (knock on wood).

Yeah, I imagine that has to be the plan.  It will likely be a very bad sign, if he needs to play anything more than garbage minutes.

[arambone]

i think melo will spend time in maine and potentially get a few minutes here and there if our front court is plagued with injuries (knock on wood).

Yeah, I imagine that has to be the plan.  It will likely be a very bad sign, if he needs to play anything more than garbage minutes.

We picked Collins up off the scrap heap. It seams like it'd be more of a bad sign if we were playing a scrap heap guy over Melo.

Rondo and KG can make Melo look pretty decent, good even.

I'm not opposed to a quick stint to Portland for a quick experiment after he gets a month or two with KG, but I think Melo will be in Boston most of the year, and contributing at that.

He's got the same shot blocking instincts as Stiemsma, with a lot more athleticism. Also, Melo comes from a zone defense, so he's already used to keeping his head on a swivel. Usually that is a skill that needs to be learned by young big men in the Boston defense. Melo has already shown the ability to play help defense at an elite level.