Carmelo's "Defense"

[B-Roy]

https://www.nba.com/stats/lineups/a...ular Season&GroupQuantity=2&TeamID=1610612757

This dude is a -8 or more negative in every 2 man lineup except CJ, Nurk and Cov. It's actually impressive.

What's worse, look at the defensive ratings for the most played minutes: 128.1, 123.7, 116.9, 111.4, 111.1.

Don't worry, Enes isn't far behind:


And before you give me the small sample size talk. YES, it's a small sample size, but this has been Melo for about 5-6 years now. It's nothing new, it's just a continuation of reality.

This is the definition of unplayable, but of course since Stotts isn't going to stop playing him, maybe change up the lineups a bit so we stop hemorrhaging (there's no other way to describe this) points when he's on the floor. Start him over DJJ so he can play next to CJ, Nurk and Cov. And for gods sakes, stop playing Kanter and Melo at the same time.

The Stotts/Olshey/Dame/CJ core is a good reminder why it's not always the greatest idea working with your close friends.

 

[boredinsalem]

I like what Carmelo brings as a third or fourth option in certain lineups, flanked by decent defenders. Basically, he should be a spot up shooter and pick'n'pop guy that's allowed to post up guys if he's being guarded by someone smaller or drive if he pump fakes guys. I think he can accept this role when on the court with Dame (and maybe CJ).

Basically, I think that a few rules would improve the situation:

• Carmelo should not play with Kanter
• There should be one decent permimeter defender (Trent, Jones) and one decent wing defender (Jones, Covington) on the floor at all times
• Kanter should play with Jones and Covington

I think that the best move would be to move Gary Trent and Carmelo into the starting lineup and still play CJ 30-36 minutes a night. Each lineup Carmelo is in should include Trent and one of Jones or Covington + Nurkic.

 

[GDiama]

At this point the last to blame is Carmelo. We knew exactly what he brings to the table and what he doesn't. Olshey and Stotts duo is not working.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

At this point the last to blame is Carmelo. We knew exactly what he brings to the table and what he doesn't. Olshey and Stotts duo is not working.

To blame for what? Getting off to a nice start to the season with a difficult schedule? We already have wins against Lakers, Rockets, and Warriors and we're still learning how to play together. Look to Dallas and Denver and Toronto if you want to play the Blame Game.

 

[GDiama]

To blame for what? Getting off to a nice start to the season with a difficult schedule? We already have wins against Lakers, Rockets, and Warriors and we're still learning how to play together. Look to Dallas and Denver and Toronto if you want to play the Blame Game.

We are off to a nice start or Carmelo is? Both us and Carmelo are definitely not off to a nice start.

Carmelo is a negative on the court and I cannot compare us to the other teams' records. I see the way we play and it's not good, still garbage D and great individual O by CJ and Dame. We have beaten a Rockets team with Harden and GLeaguers, a weak Warriors team that only won against the terrible Bulls and Pistons prior to us and we have a great win against the Lakers. Sorry i cannot be happy with that.

I get that you are always fine with everything the Blazers do, i have higher expectations. Our basketball is not good and there is no difference in the way we play compared to previous seasons. Another 7-8 seed and 1st round exit.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

We are off to a nice start or Carmelo is? Both us and Carmelo are definitely not off to a nice start.

Carmelo is a negative on the court and I cannot compare us to the other teams' records. I see the way we play and it's not good, still garbage D and great individual O by CJ and Dame. We have beaten a Rockets team with Harden and GLeaguers, a weak Warriors team that only won against the terrible Bulls and Pistons prior to us and we have a great win against the Lakers. Sorry i cannot be happy with that.

I get that you are always fine with everything the Blazers do, i have higher expectations. Our basketball is not good and there is no difference in the way we play compared to previous seasons. Another 7-8 seed and 1st round exit.

We are off to a nice start. You only look to blame someone if things are going badly but they're actually going quite well. The teams we've faced have a 19-11 record and we are 3-3 with 4 of the games on the road. I'd say that's a very nice start for the team. The Rockets team we faced had their two best players (Harden & Wood) and strong role players in PJ Tucker and House. Plus, it was an A++ version of Harden. And we still won. The Warriors aren't weak at all. Yes, they beat the Bulls and Pistons. If they LOST to the Bulls and Pistons, THAT would make them weak. They have a 2 time MVP, a DPOY, and the #2 pick in the draft.

My expectations for Blazers is championship and with a new cast of characters, a whole new rotation, and less than a month since training camp started, I am VERY happy with a 3-3 start against a very difficult schedule. I expect us to get hot against the upcoming schedule. If you wanna to talk about bad starts, look at Heat and the Raptors and the Nuggets and the Mavericks. Also- Bucks have same record as us but they got blown out by the Knicks. Are all those teams officially out of contention now? Clippers are shaky. They're 5-2 but one of their losses was by 51 points and they nearly blew a 31 point lead in a close win over the Suns tonight. Shall we talk about the Brooklyn Nets? After a 2-0 start, they've fallen to 3-4. Guess they're done, right?

 

[AldoTrapani]

To blame for what? Getting off to a nice start to the season with a difficult schedule? We already have wins against Lakers, Rockets, and Warriors and we're still learning how to play together. Look to Dallas and Denver and Toronto if you want to play the Blame Game.

Man god bless your fandom lol

 

[GDiama]

We are off to a nice start. You only look to blame someone if things are going badly but they're actually going quite well. The teams we've faced have a 19-11 record and we are 3-3 with 4 of the games on the road. I'd say that's a very nice start for the team. The Rockets team we faced had their two best players (Harden & Wood) and strong role players in PJ Tucker and House. Plus, it was an A++ version of Harden. And we still won. The Warriors aren't weak at all. Yes, they beat the Bulls and Pistons. If they LOST to the Bulls and Pistons, THAT would make them weak. They have a 2 time MVP, a DPOY, and the #2 pick in the draft.

My expectations for Blazers is championship and with a new cast of characters, a whole new rotation, and less than a month since training camp started, I am VERY happy with a 3-3 start against a very difficult schedule. I expect us to get hot against the upcoming schedule. If you wanna to talk about bad starts, look at Heat and the Raptors and the Nuggets and the Mavericks. Also- Bucks have same record as us but they got blown out by the Knicks. Are all those teams officially out of contention now? Clippers are shaky. They're 5-2 but one of their losses was by 51 points and they nearly blew a 31 point lead in a close win over the Suns tonight. Shall we talk about the Brooklyn Nets? After a 2-0 start, they've fallen to 3-4. Guess they're done, right?

Let's agree to disagree then because i don't see good basketball and nothing different in game plan compared to the previous failed campaigns. Same old shit in my eyes. Clearly not in yours.

 

[B-Roy]

Our half court defense was last in the league before this game: 104 points per 100 possessions. With Kanter it was 123. With Kanter and Melo it was 129.

Holy hell. You cannot make this stuff up.

 

[KSF-ERIC]

Our half court defense was last in the league before this game: 104 points per 100 possessions. With Kanter it was 123. With Kanter and Melo it was 129.

Holy hell. You cannot make this stuff up.

And the Nuggets, Raptors, Mavericks, Heat, and Nets will all miss the playoffs this year. Too early to be so judgemental.

 

[TBpup]

That Melo was on the court long enough to foul out should be an instantly fireable offense for 'Coach' Stotts.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

I like what Carmelo brings as a third or fourth option in certain lineups, flanked by decent defenders. Basically, he should be a spot up shooter and pick'n'pop guy that's allowed to post up guys if he's being guarded by someone smaller or drive if he pump fakes guys. I think he can accept this role when on the court with Dame (and maybe CJ).

Basically, I think that a few rules would improve the situation:

• Carmelo should not play with Kanter
• There should be one decent permimeter defender (Trent, Jones) and one decent wing defender (Jones, Covington) on the floor at all times
• Kanter should play with Jones and Covington

I think that the best move would be to move Gary Trent and Carmelo into the starting lineup and still play CJ 30-36 minutes a night. Each lineup Carmelo is in should include Trent and one of Jones or Covington + Nurkic.

I like your ideas ONLY if there is no chance to get Melo off the team.

 

[BBert]

I like what Carmelo brings as a third or fourth option in certain lineups, flanked by decent defenders. Basically, he should be a spot up shooter and pick'n'pop guy that's allowed to post up guys if he's being guarded by someone smaller or drive if he pump fakes guys. I think he can accept this role when on the court with Dame (and maybe CJ).

Basically, I think that a few rules would improve the situation:

• Carmelo should not play with Kanter
• There should be one decent permimeter defender (Trent, Jones) and one decent wing defender (Jones, Covington) on the floor at all times
• Kanter should play with Jones and Covington

I think that the best move would be to move Gary Trent and Carmelo into the starting lineup and still play CJ 30-36 minutes a night. Each lineup Carmelo is in should include Trent and one of Jones or Covington + Nurkic.

I was with you until you suggested starting Trent and Carmelo.

 

[BigGameDamian]

I like what Carmelo brings as a third or fourth option in certain lineups, flanked by decent defenders. Basically, he should be a spot up shooter and pick'n'pop guy that's allowed to post up guys if he's being guarded by someone smaller or drive if he pump fakes guys. I think he can accept this role when on the court with Dame (and maybe CJ).

Basically, I think that a few rules would improve the situation:

• Carmelo should not play with Kanter
• There should be one decent permimeter defender (Trent, Jones) and one decent wing defender (Jones, Covington) on the floor at all times
• Kanter should play with Jones and Covington

I think that the best move would be to move Gary Trent and Carmelo into the starting lineup and still play CJ 30-36 minutes a night. Each lineup Carmelo is in should include Trent and one of Jones or Covington + Nurkic.

I'd like to see Carmelo back in the starting lineup with Covington at small forward.

 

[blazerkor]

I'd like to see Carmelo back in the starting lineup with Covington at small forward.

I'd like to see Melo's minutes cut and him playing the correct role of instant offense off of the bench... against other bench players. Right now the guy ruins the continuity of the offense when he's on the floor and is a huge defensive liability.

Maybe we should just get DJJ cutting more often and get him the ball on the baseline. DJJ has the offensive skill set to give us what we need, he just needs a little time and Stotts to give him a chance. We can't afford to lose his defense.

Starting Dame, CJ and Melo equals teams scoring at us at will especially with the way Nurk has been playing. That being said, I'm sure you're cool with giving Nurk the time to get his shit together. So why the rush to bench Jones?

 

[Minstrel]

I'd like Melo to be put in the role he can be most successful at this point in his career: reserve who doesn't play but is available for autographs for fans.

It leverages his last remaining strength (being famous) while minimizing his current weaknesses (playing basketball at an NBA level).

Seriously, if this were a player with a different name doing exactly the same stuff on the court, no one would be desperate to keep him on the team and give him playing time.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

He can play under one of the following conditions:
1. We're thirty points up.
2. We're thirty points down.
3. There's less than a second on the clock.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

That Melo was on the court long enough to foul out should be an instantly fireable offense for 'Coach' Stotts.

Exception: hack-a-Shaq.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Y'know who'd be a lot more useful than Carmelo? WENYEN GABRIEL.

And yes, I'm aware he's currently not playing.

 

[e_blazer]

I’m not sure why there’s so much bitching about Melo last night. I’m way more disappointed in Nurk this season than I am in Anthony. Nurk is playing soft and his conditioning sucks.

 

[wizenheimer]

I think the best use of Melo is in another team's uniform

 

[TBpup]

Can someone fix the OP title? It really seems like it should be Carmelo's "__efense".

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Kanter and Melo should never be on the court at the same time. It's so apparent I don't know how Stotts cannot see it.

But on the other hand, they should always be on the bench at the same time.

 

[Serbian]

We are off to a nice start. You only look to blame someone if things are going badly but they're actually going quite well. The teams we've faced have a 19-11 record and we are 3-3 with 4 of the games on the road. I'd say that's a very nice start for the team. The Rockets team we faced had their two best players (Harden & Wood) and strong role players in PJ Tucker and House. Plus, it was an A++ version of Harden. And we still won. The Warriors aren't weak at all. Yes, they beat the Bulls and Pistons. If they LOST to the Bulls and Pistons, THAT would make them weak. They have a 2 time MVP, a DPOY, and the #2 pick in the draft.

My expectations for Blazers is championship and with a new cast of characters, a whole new rotation, and less than a month since training camp started, I am VERY happy with a 3-3 start against a very difficult schedule. I expect us to get hot against the upcoming schedule. If you wanna to talk about bad starts, look at Heat and the Raptors and the Nuggets and the Mavericks. Also- Bucks have same record as us but they got blown out by the Knicks. Are all those teams officially out of contention now? Clippers are shaky. They're 5-2 but one of their losses was by 51 points and they nearly blew a 31 point lead in a close win over the Suns tonight. Shall we talk about the Brooklyn Nets? After a 2-0 start, they've fallen to 3-4. Guess they're done, right?

I agree lots of teams are struggling arguably this is most competitive start in nba ever almost no team is a scrub easy victory. The east and west both got much stronger. We did have toughest schedule to start. But i need to see different line ups from stotts. I want to see Dame CJ Giles Rocco Trent jr. have melo and DJ come off the bench . Try this line up lets see what we got?!?

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Kanter and Melo should never be on the court at the same time. It's so apparent I don't know how Stotts cannot see it.

The GS announcers couldn't believe that they kept Kanter in the game.

 

[blazerkor]

I’m not sure why there’s so much bitching about Melo last night. I’m way more disappointed in Nurk this season than I am in Anthony. Nurk is playing soft and his conditioning sucks.

I agree with what you are saying about Nurk but it stands to reason that Nurk has a chance to get much, much better than he has been so far this season. Can you say the same about Melo?

 

[calvin natt]

I’m not sure why there’s so much bitching about Melo last night. I’m way more disappointed in Nurk this season than I am in Anthony. Nurk is playing soft and his conditioning sucks.

It’s funny actually. This place goes round and round on Carmelo, refs, and Harry Giles. Nurkic is a disaster so far. If he had no history and we judged based on this year only, Nurk might not be starting. It’s hard to watch him at times. Lazy passes, zero toughness finishing, it’s a mess. Hopefully he figures it out. Covington is next. Total non factor on offense.

 

[e_blazer]

I agree with what you are saying about Nurk but it stands to reason that Nurk has a chance to get much, much better than he has been so far this season. Can you say the same about Melo?

Of course not, but Melo is exactly who we thought he would be at the beginning of the season: a proven ball-dominant scorer who can help the second unit score, but has the same defensive lapses as he’s had throughout his career. Olshey and Stotts knew what they were getting when they resigned him. Does Nurk look anything like what we were expecting him to be? I’m more disappointed in a guy who isn’t living up to his potential than I am in a guy who is doing exactly what was expected, even if there are weaknesses in that. Apparently, Nurk had family matters to attend to at home and it hurt his prep for the season. Let’s hope he can pull it together quickly.

 

[bobf]

I’m not sure why there’s so much bitching about Melo last night. I’m way more disappointed in Nurk this season than I am in Anthony. Nurk is playing soft and his conditioning sucks.

I am more disappointed in Nurk too. But the bitching is because playing Nurk is not a mistake and playing Melo is.

 

[e_blazer]

I am more disappointed in Nurk too. But the bitching is because playing Nurk is not a mistake and playing Melo is.

I’m not so sure about that. If you’re talking in general, I really don’t have a problem with him getting 15-20 mpg at backup PF. The second unit needs scorers and Melo provides that. If you’re talking about last night when he played in the 4th quarter, the Blazers were down 12-14 points and needed to score quickly in order to have a chance. RoCo wasn’t doing jack on the offensive end. Players were able to cheat off him and double Dame. I’m sure Stotts’ thought process was that having Melo in there provided another scorer and took pressure off Dame. It didn’t work because Curry was thermonuclear hot, but I don’t think that the thought process was wrong.