Simmon's Love and Melo to the Celtics Scenario

[indeedproceed]

Let me say this again, in case you missed it last time. NO. MELO. Kthxbye.

Why not?

I mean I highly doubt Melo ever ends up in green, but why would you not want him on the Celtics?

He's an offensive all-star.

There is nothing about Carmelo Anthony's game, attitude or personality that I like or that will make me want him on my team.

I'd be inclined to agree with you on the attitude front, but I think it's fair to say that Paul Pierce had some similar baggage at one point.

I'm not saying that I know for sure that Melo could change if he were in a better environment, but I think it's possible.

Honestly the one thing I've seen about him that is most concerning is his late-game performance. I don't trust his judgment or killer instinct in those situations.

Beyond that concern his overall performance this year, in a very difficult environment, has been nothing short of spectacular.

I've never seen Pierce quit in a game, and I've never seen Pierce implode as spectacularly in crunch time as Carmelo often does. In fact, I have zero trust that giving the ball to Carmelo will win me a game that's on the line.

In my book, he remains a taller version of Stephon Marbury, and I invariably see him imploding in the same manner over time.

Melo's Clutch Ratings:

http://www.82games.com/1213/CSORT11.HTM 8th in the league 12-13
http://www.82games.com/1112/CSORT11.HTM 3rd 11-12
http://www.82games.com/1011/CSORT11.HTM 9th in 10-11

He's a better clutch performer than you think. Maybe its anecdotal evidence stickin out in your head.

EDIT: But I completely agree, Melo's not coming here kids.

Double EDIT: I didn't list FG%'s for Melo there so its a little disingenuous. He;s not the best clutch scorer in basketball. But he's better than quite a few, and he was better than that earlier in his career.

[bdm860]

Let me say this again, in case you missed it last time. NO. MELO. Kthxbye.

Why not?

I mean I highly doubt Melo ever ends up in green, but why would you not want him on the Celtics?

He's an offensive all-star.

There is nothing about Carmelo Anthony's game, attitude or personality that I like or that will make me want him on my team.

I'd be inclined to agree with you on the attitude front, but I think it's fair to say that Paul Pierce had some similar baggage at one point.

I'm not saying that I know for sure that Melo could change if he were in a better environment, but I think it's possible.

Honestly the one thing I've seen about him that is most concerning is his late-game performance. I don't trust his judgment or killer instinct in those situations.

Beyond that concern his overall performance this year, in a very difficult environment, has been nothing short of spectacular.

I've never seen Pierce quit in a game, and I've never seen Pierce implode as spectacularly in crunch time as Carmelo often does. In fact, I have zero trust that giving the ball to Carmelo will win me a game that's on the line.

In my book, he remains a taller version of Stephon Marbury, and I invariably see him imploding in the same manner over time.

Never seen Pierce implode?  Not like this was a close or important game or anything.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbwm2tolAHo

And let's not forget he then showed up to the press conference all bandaged up:

[Fred Roberts]

No Melo, no Love. Too costly to get and to pay and too weak on Defense.

Those are not my dudes. I wanted Melo about 4 years ago, but I've kinda changed my mind. You gotta be a team guy and make others better. Melo has never excelled at that. We KNOW this!

Love similarly puts up SEXY stats like Melo, but I'm not convinced he's a top 10 player, and I'm not convinced he'll keep playing at his current level another 5 years.

Both players have peaked and will likely be on the decline by the time we get them . . .if we did get them.

Go organic! Long term.

[blink]

Let me say this again, in case you missed it last time. NO. MELO. Kthxbye.

Why not?

I mean I highly doubt Melo ever ends up in green, but why would you not want him on the Celtics?

He's an offensive all-star.

There is nothing about Carmelo Anthony's game, attitude or personality that I like or that will make me want him on my team.

I'd be inclined to agree with you on the attitude front, but I think it's fair to say that Paul Pierce had some similar baggage at one point.

I'm not saying that I know for sure that Melo could change if he were in a better environment, but I think it's possible.

Honestly the one thing I've seen about him that is most concerning is his late-game performance. I don't trust his judgment or killer instinct in those situations.

Beyond that concern his overall performance this year, in a very difficult environment, has been nothing short of spectacular.

I've never seen Pierce quit in a game, and I've never seen Pierce implode as spectacularly in crunch time as Carmelo often does. In fact, I have zero trust that giving the ball to Carmelo will win me a game that's on the line.

In my book, he remains a taller version of Stephon Marbury, and I invariably see him imploding in the same manner over time.

Yeah I kind of agree with you on Melo.  I know he is a great scorer.  But I am never very impressed with his defense, and I don't feel he is as mentally tough as someone needs to be to lead a team to an NBA championship.

Obviously with Love and Melo we would be a lot better.  Our biggest problem is scoring and that solves that issue, but it opens up other problems.  We loose our best young player who is still on a easy to digest rookie contract - sully.  and we give up our lotto draft pick this year and all the cap flexibility that DA has worked so hard to get.

I worry about our D with Love and Melo...maybe I am too picky.

[Finkelskyhook]

"Obviously with Love and Melo we would be a lot better."

Really? 

[kozlodoev]

Melo's Clutch Ratings:

http://www.82games.com/1213/CSORT11.HTM 8th in the league 12-13
http://www.82games.com/1112/CSORT11.HTM 3rd 11-12
http://www.82games.com/1011/CSORT11.HTM 9th in 10-11

He's a better clutch performer than you think. Maybe its anecdotal evidence stickin out in your head.

Eh, sorted by production per 36 minutes, I'm not sure that's a good indicator. Coupled with the poor FG% that you mention, sounds exactly like how I remember him: volume shooter who gets the ball a lot by default, puts up stats, but rarely has too man wins to show for it.

[blink]

"Obviously with Love and Melo we would be a lot better."

Really?

Good job contributing to the thread!

[indeedproceed]

Melo's Clutch Ratings:

http://www.82games.com/1213/CSORT11.HTM 8th in the league 12-13
http://www.82games.com/1112/CSORT11.HTM 3rd 11-12
http://www.82games.com/1011/CSORT11.HTM 9th in 10-11

He's a better clutch performer than you think. Maybe its anecdotal evidence stickin out in your head.

Eh, sorted by production per 36 minutes, I'm not sure that's a good indicator. Coupled with the poor FG% that you mention, sounds exactly like how I remember him: volume shooter who gets the ball a lot by default, puts up stats, but rarely has too man wins to show for it.

Well you have to put it in context. Anthony shoots 37%(last season, he's usually better), but so does Stephen Curry. Russell Westbrook shoots 35%. And Anthony is (was) on a team with zero help, not the case with Curry, or Westbrook, or LeBron..if you watch Knicks games (which I stopped doing, because my eyes would eventually start bleeding), its like someone stacked the deck against the guy. They're all so terrible, and all so poorly coached. I have zero doubt what we're seeing right now is nothing close to the 'best Melo'.

[Fred Roberts]

I'd take Ibaka over Love every day of the week.

You gotta have 2 way players for that max money. Actually, Ibaka doesn't make max, but anyways.

[gpap]

No Melo, no Love. Too costly to get and to pay and too weak on Defense.

Those are not my dudes. I wanted Melo about 4 years ago, but I've kinda changed my mind. You gotta be a team guy and make others better. Melo has never excelled at that. We KNOW this!

Love similarly puts up SEXY stats like Melo, but I'm not convinced he's a top 10 player, and I'm not convinced he'll keep playing at his current level another 5 years.

Both players have peaked and will likely be on the decline by the time we get them . . .if we did get them.

Go organic! Long term.

Love is only 25 and Melo is 29.

I know human years are like dog years when you are playing a sport but at the same time, how much younger would you want to get?

I sorta understand the concern about Melo, but at the same time the NBA is a superstar league and sometimes you've got to strike while the iron is hot like it was in 2007.

Also, I think you are kinda undervaluing Kevin Love as a player. Stats may seem "sexy" but stats are stats and Love's stats this year indiciate he doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Thinking too long term could lead to going 22 years without another NBA title.

[manl_lui]

No Melo, no Love. Too costly to get and to pay and too weak on Defense.

Those are not my dudes. I wanted Melo about 4 years ago, but I've kinda changed my mind. You gotta be a team guy and make others better. Melo has never excelled at that. We KNOW this!

Love similarly puts up SEXY stats like Melo, but I'm not convinced he's a top 10 player, and I'm not convinced he'll keep playing at his current level another 5 years.

Both players have peaked and will likely be on the decline by the time we get them . . .if we did get them.

Go organic! Long term.

Love is only 25 and Melo is 29.

I know human years are like dog years when you are playing a sport but at the same time, how much younger would you want to get?

I sorta understand the concern about Melo, but at the same time the NBA is a superstar league and sometimes you've got to strike while the iron is hot like it was in 2007.

Thinking too long term could lead to going 22 years without another NBA title.

I prefer to get DeMarcus Cousins tbh. Yes, Love is a better player right now, but I love Cousin's game and think he still has a lot of potential to be even better, and he is a lot younger.

[D.o.s.]

Do you think that we'd be closer to winning a ring in the near future with DMC, rather than Love or Melo?

[gpap]

No Melo, no Love. Too costly to get and to pay and too weak on Defense.

Those are not my dudes. I wanted Melo about 4 years ago, but I've kinda changed my mind. You gotta be a team guy and make others better. Melo has never excelled at that. We KNOW this!

Love similarly puts up SEXY stats like Melo, but I'm not convinced he's a top 10 player, and I'm not convinced he'll keep playing at his current level another 5 years.

Both players have peaked and will likely be on the decline by the time we get them . . .if we did get them.

Go organic! Long term.

Love is only 25 and Melo is 29.

I know human years are like dog years when you are playing a sport but at the same time, how much younger would you want to get?

I sorta understand the concern about Melo, but at the same time the NBA is a superstar league and sometimes you've got to strike while the iron is hot like it was in 2007.

Thinking too long term could lead to going 22 years without another NBA title.

I prefer to get DeMarcus Cousins tbh. Yes, Love is a better player right now, but I love Cousin's game and think he still has a lot of potential to be even better, and he is a lot younger.

Hmmm....I don't know about that.

First off, Sacramento just extended Cousins so it would appear he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

Also, it seems (and I hate using this term) that Love has a higher basketball IQ than Cousins.

I love Cousins toughness, don't get me wrong, but he also still seems a little raw

[Fred Roberts]

No Melo, no Love. Too costly to get and to pay and too weak on Defense.

Those are not my dudes. I wanted Melo about 4 years ago, but I've kinda changed my mind. You gotta be a team guy and make others better. Melo has never excelled at that. We KNOW this!

Love similarly puts up SEXY stats like Melo, but I'm not convinced he's a top 10 player, and I'm not convinced he'll keep playing at his current level another 5 years.

Both players have peaked and will likely be on the decline by the time we get them . . .if we did get them.

Go organic! Long term.

Love is only 25 and Melo is 29.

I know human years are like dog years when you are playing a sport but at the same time, how much younger would you want to get?

I sorta understand the concern about Melo, but at the same time the NBA is a superstar league and sometimes you've got to strike while the iron is hot like it was in 2007.

Also, I think you are kinda undervaluing Kevin Love as a player. Stats may seem "sexy" but stats are stats and Love's stats this year indiciate he doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

Thinking too long term could lead to going 22 years without another NBA title.

Totally agree with your points here. I just don't trust Love's ability to stay healthy, I guess. No science behind it, but it's just my gut feeling that he's peaking now and won't stay at this level for a very long time.

Also, if not for the Bias / Lewis double deaths, the C's would have had organic growth translate to prolific success during the dark days of the 1990's/early 2000's. Let's just pray nothing even close to that ever happens again.

[henr1k]

I think people take Simmons too seriously. I love his podcast and the fact he is a C's fan but some of his trade scenarios are so bad it's not even funny.

First of all, if we are getting Love, power forward, why in the world would we be targeting Melo. At this stage of his career Melo is best suited for playing PF position.
I think we can all agree on that just by looking NY's record last season when he played PF exclusively.

Also, Melo and Love in your lineup guarantees that you won't have TOP10 defense in the NBA, which is a must if you wanna call yourself a contender.
 
I am surprised that Al Horford doesn't get mentioned in these type of scenarios. Everyone talks about Melo, Love and even Aldridge, until this season, as guys who might get moved because they are unhappy with their current situation.

Call me crazy but I would take Horford over Love or Melo. He is one of the most underrated guys in the league on a team friendly contract (12M per year) and I am sure he is not thrilled with his situation in Atlanta.