UNO Sports tonight- declared Melo as best backup option

[rmitchell222003]

http://www.csnne.com/basketball-boston-celtics/celtics-talk/Take-your-pick-Whos-the-better-backup-ce?blockID=777065&feedID=10602


you agree?

[Celtics4ever]

Nope, not presently but he has the best career ahead of him if you look at it that way.

[Roy H.]

No. I doubt he plays meaningful minutes this season.

[arambone]

Melo or Sullinger could be starting this year.

I suspect KG will have some say in who starts next to him and which position KG plays.

KG + Melo might be a devastating defensive frontcourt, and that might be more important than Melo's unpolished offensive skills.

If Melo shows to be a decent rebounder in pre-season, all the more reason to consider him for major minutes.

[Change]

First we need to know who is the starting Center. Examining roster choices Celtics have made; they are adamant Garnett is a 4.

[BostonNative]

Is it just me or do these guys sound like they barely know what they talking about anyway.

[slamtheking]

more likely that Melo doesn't see meaningful court time until his 3rd year

[indeedproceed]

Since we had out hearts set on like...a lot of different guys than Fab Melo, we are likely overlooking a guy who has a pretty ridiculously high ceiling.

If we weren't contending, at the very least in my own mind, we'd be as excited about Melo as...well...as excited as we are about Sullinger.

But like everyone else has said, the odds are extremely favoring Melo not seeing the court, for the following reasons:

1) We have 4 veterans who at least from day 1, who will be better at playing center

2) Melo is super raw, and big men typically have the toughest learning curve. Serge Ibaka, if he were a rookie, likely wouldn't see much time either.

So while he has value, he's not even our 3rd best center in all liklihood.

[CelticG1]

I could see him get some burn. He is a rookie but being a center he wont be asked to Fo as much and if he's put out there with veterans he should be fine. He appears to be somewhat of a game changer on d which of all things could earn you minutes.


Then just look at Stiemsma or Semih. Both got decent minutes, don't see why Melo can't. Don't tell me.Stiemsma had experience with his 5 min a game at Wisconsin and playing jv nba a few years.

[bfrombleacher]

You never know. Fab Melo can clog the lane pretty darn well.

Javale McGee is darn raw on the offensive end for a big (the guy has great handles though, which is interesting).

To me the only question is if he can play man D and avoid fouling (on both ends). This is true for Darko as well.

Not saying it's easy or even very likely (the guys in the video are stretching it) but not as impossible as you all make it out to be.

What's nice is he (and Sully...and even Darko) has so much space to develop. Worst case scenario we'd have KG, Wilcox and Collins.

I'm gushing over the best case scenario right now.

[SCeltic34]

So these chumps are telling me that Melo - straight out of 2 years of college, raised in a zone defense scheme and having played serious ball for only four or so years - is a better option at center behind KG than two proven NBA players?  Forgive me if I fail to see the logic behind that.  Collins has been in the league for 11 years, and Darko for 9.

Anyone who is expecting Melo to play significant minutes this season will be sorely disappointed.  I'd love to see him get playing time, but it will only happen during garbage minutes.  He will have his chance to develop, but it will not take place regularly during NBA games this year. 

Melo has potential, and I'm rooting extremely hard for him - I'm hoping he develops into Perk 2.0 on steroids.  But let's keep our expectations realistic.

[indeedproceed]

You never know. Fab Melo can clog the lane pretty darn well.

Javale McGee is darn raw on the offensive end for a big (the guy has great handles though, which is interesting).

Rookie JaVale doesn't get much burn this year either.

[raynman]

If we could combine Darko's offensive touch, Collins' experience and Melo's athleticism and defensive abilities, that would be the perfect backup Center!

[bfrombleacher]

Darko's offensive touch

Doesn't he brick close shots?

[chambers]

I will not be surprised to see either one start at some point in the season. Collins is the end of the bench.
If they are pushing KG back to the power forward position then Darko or Melo could start.
Depends on how quickly Melo learns.
Darko is on top of the list right now.
Easy passes from Rondo, teach him the defensive rotations and you have a better version of a Celtic Jermaine Oneal.

Darko could easily average 10/8 on this team with Rondo dishing to him and KG spreading the floor on offense.
Melo might get there one day. If he learns fast he may start by next year but I doubt he gets there this year.

Darko has a very real shot though. He ain't worthy of a top 10 NBA pick but he's still got plenty of potential in the right situation and locker room.