What do you all think of Melo in green?

[D.o.s.]

I don't know the answer to this, but how often does a legitimate contender have its best player be someone who has a reputation as a poor defender?

Kobe, Dirk, and Nash are the first ones that come to mind. I guess Harden and Curry, depending on how you feel about Houston and The Warriors.

I'm no Kobe fan but poor defender?

Dude has been mailing it in for a few years, and you have to assume that the Lakers were legit contenders back in '10 and '11.

Eh... I don't agree.  He has been doing the opposite of mailing it in, he tries too hard when he should be deferring more as his career goes on.  Regardless though, he always gives defensive effort.

I'm a big critic of Kobe but I have to give him that he always plays hard and defends, even if I don't like how he plays.  The man has made 12 NBA All Defense teams(even if I don't put much stock in those type of awards, 12 is a whole lot of times).

You could make an argument how good at defense he is but you just can't say "poor".  No where near the Nash or Dirk level of defenders.

Don't just take it from me:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/55877/an-open-letter-to-kobe-bryant-about-his-defense

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/12/dwight-howard-screamed-at-kobe-bryant-about-his-poor-defense/

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/1/15/3877988/kobe-bryant-defense-mike-dantoni

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2012/12/10/lakers-defensive-problems-include-kobe-bryant/

Obviously google points us towards newer news results, but I think the last three of those All-D nods are pretty ceremonial.

[chambers]

Melo would be great next to a pass first guard like Rondo.
He'd get so many more looks off picks and screens, completely wide open.
You'd have to get a defensive big and multiple shooters around him.
In a perfect world if we could afford Melo, Bosh and Rondo we'd be pretty narly.

I'd rather spend 20 million on Bosh over Melo though.
He'd bring scoring, inside presence and defense that's a more complete package.

[Snakehead]

Obviously google points us towards newer news results, but I think the last three of those All-D nods are pretty ceremonial.

Regardless, not at all poor and not in the Dirk, Nash level of poor defenders.  I don't care about the awards much but just throw it in there to say "this guy isn't a poor defender" because he just isn't at all.

[Celtics18]

As far as reputation as a poor defender goes, I don't think you'll find a top twenty player in the league who doesn't have his fair share of detractors about the way he plays defense. 

Defense is almost impossible to really measure, and it comes with the territory for top players to have theirs questioned. 

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on Anthony and his "terrible" defense. 

[D.o.s.]

Obviously google points us towards newer news results, but I think the last three of those All-D nods are pretty ceremonial.

Regardless, not at all poor and not in the Dirk, Nash level of poor defenders.  I don't care about the awards much but just throw it in there to say "this guy isn't a poor defender" because he just isn't at all.

Yeah, I don't think Kobe's a bad defender in that he can't play very good defense, I think he's a bad defender because I just don't think he cares very much about playing D.

[LooseCannon]

The consensus seems to be Kobe is a poor defender now.  He may have been an overrated defender, but he wasn't a bad one in his prime.

Paul Pierce believed that he was an elite defender who was criminally underrated and the KG-era Celtics gave him a chance to prove that by being a guy who was relatively good at guarding Lebron James.  I just don't get the sense that Carmelo Anthony would play defense like he had something to prove to his critics.

[Celtics4ever]

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on Anthony and his "terrible" defense. 

The Knicks did too and we all know how that is working out for them.  Really helped the Nuggets too I might add.   

Just say no to volume scorers.  Are you an AI fan too?

[PhoSita]

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on Anthony and his "terrible" defense. 

The Knicks did too and we all know how that is working out for them.  Really helped the Nuggets too I might add.   

Right, because the Knicks being a bad team is because Melo isn't a great player.

It has nothing to do with the Knicks being a poorly managed team.

[D.o.s.]

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on Anthony and his "terrible" defense. 

The Knicks did too and we all know how that is working out for them.  Really helped the Nuggets too I might add.   

Just say no to volume scorers.  Are you an AI fan too?

You must've been really bummed out when we traded  Al Jefferson instead of The Truth.

[Snakehead]

I think I'd be willing to take a chance on Anthony and his "terrible" defense. 

The Knicks did too and we all know how that is working out for them.  Really helped the Nuggets too I might add.   

Right, because the Knicks being a bad team is because Melo isn't a great player.

It has nothing to do with the Knicks being a poorly managed team.

TP.  I don't know how people don't see these glaring flaws in how their roster has been constructed and understand that part isn't Melo's fault.

Not that he finds a way to help with ball movement or anything.  But Knicks management screws things up at just about every turn.

[Mazingerz]

I'd rather not think about him being in green; It just doesnt feel right;

Imagin him playing versus the nets and KG sees him in green (and he wears the number 5  ), KG will open up a new world of pain for him;

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

No. I think he is overrated! If he isn't the #1 option, maybe... but even then I don't like him. People are going to continue blaming Melo's teammates and team before they ever finally realize he is not the guy. People need to start thinking of Melo as the Chris Bosh of the team... a big component but the 3rd guy who follows and can win you a few games. I'm not saying you don't need a Bosh, I'm saying you let LeBron and Wade shine while kicking butt as the sidekick. Melo's ego is too big for that so I think he will forever be a really good player on teams that make it no further than the 2nd round of the playoffs. Unless he finds his way onto a team similar to Mia, where he isn't the LeBron.

[mgent]

I think Carmelo is sure to win a ring if he continues playing PF.  I think that's what it will take for him just like LeBron.

No PF in the league can defend him.  He would be ideal next to a fast PG like Rondo who can take advantage of the small-ball lineup.  So far the Knicks have gone with either Raymond Felton, Toney Douglas, or a bunch of old guys in Jason Kidd, Prigioni, Billups, Mike Bibby, Baron Davis, Beno Udrih.  It's too bad because they're running out of time with prime Tyson Chandler, who is the ideal big to pair with Melo and cover for his mistakes.

[gpap]

My thoughts on Melo in green are if it's possible, then Ainge should make it happen.

Say what you will about the guy, but he's an elite scorer in the NBA and he's going to win a ring sooner or later.

If the Celts had the "assets" it would take to pry him from the Knicks in a possible deal, (including our 2014 draft pick) then I would do it.

Also, good point about playing Melo at the 4. I think that be a better position for him than the 3.

[BballTim]

I don't know the answer to this, but how often does a legitimate contender have its best player be someone who has a reputation as a poor defender?

Kobe, Dirk, and Nash are the first ones that come to mind. I guess Harden and Curry, depending on how you feel about Houston and The Warriors.

I'm no Kobe fan but poor defender?

Dude has been mailing it in for a few years, and you have to assume that the Lakers were legit contenders back in '10 and '11.

Eh... I don't agree.  He has been doing the opposite of mailing it in, he tries too hard when he should be deferring more as his career goes on.  Regardless though, he always gives defensive effort.

I'm a big critic of Kobe but I have to give him that he always plays hard and defends, even if I don't like how he plays.  The man has made 12 NBA All Defense teams(even if I don't put much stock in those type of awards, 12 is a whole lot of times).

You could make an argument how good at defense he is but you just can't say "poor".  No where near the Nash or Dirk level of defenders.

Don't just take it from me:
http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/55877/an-open-letter-to-kobe-bryant-about-his-defense

http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season

http://www.slamonline.com/online/nba/2012/12/dwight-howard-screamed-at-kobe-bryant-about-his-poor-defense/

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2013/1/15/3877988/kobe-bryant-defense-mike-dantoni

http://www.forumblueandgold.com/2012/12/10/lakers-defensive-problems-include-kobe-bryant/

Obviously google points us towards newer news results, but I think the last three of those All-D nods are pretty ceremonial.

  I'd say he's more of an average (or a little better than average) than a poor defender. Not all defense anymore, but not Nash-like either.