Aside from being the smoothest shooter we've had in a really long time, he was good vibes and a good locker room leader. I know a lot of guys downplayed the significance of that role and those players (McGee, Dudz, 'Do) but our locker room hasn't been the same since and we've had issues there since they left. It's a more important role than several are willing to admit. If we can never ever play Melo over 24 minutes or in a back to back, I'm all for another year. He's a great teammate, easy to cheer for, and hosts a nightly masterclass in buckets. He deserves a better send off than this past season.
I saw him in the post and shooting trees. Don't think he has anything else at this point of his career I'm good with him as our 3rd PF, playing 12-15min and sitting some nights. Coming just with a focus to score. Shoot 5-10 shots, bumping the crowd when he gets in and makes a few buckets. I think he's a positive influence in the locker room too
I was referring to his minutes usage. Way up and down. When he was fresh he was effective. Defense will always be an issue though, but some members were appreciative of progress and effort he showed on that end when his legs weren't toast.
Ah ok, but it was due to injuries and awful roster construction. He actually stayed quite healthy. I saw him being targeted many times. It's normal he doesn't have the quickness and defensive habits. But he tries for sure, that's why I believe a 12-15min range would be good for him and the team Won't mind if he goes away though, it gives us the chance to add an additional strong forward, that can make the difference in playoffs matchups
Pretty much why I want him back, plus it would add SOME sort of continuity. If he does come back, I hope its with a lesser role than last season.
Whatever works for Melo. I’d love to have him back but whatever he wants to do is cool. He’s earned that.
love melo, and i felt like he brought what he could. if he wants to come back as an end of bench guy, i love it (same with dwight). if he wants to ring-chase or seek a bigger role, i'm also fine with it (again, dwight).
I’m not sure why people didn’t like what Melo brought last season, he played great. It’s our fault that he was thrust into such a big role with AD and Lebron out. I mean at times we had him playing C minutes - that’s on us. Melo stayed super professional and competed really hard. I also think he was a great part of keeping our team together as a locker room presence. If he has 10-15 mins of playing time as the backup floor spacing PF - sign me up. There aren’t really any options for the minimum that can out play and out produce him.
agree that he was (counter to narrative) a good locker room presence. and yes, him playing center was mostly a team-building issue. i actually think he'll be back. why not live in la with your friends? i don't think anyone's showing up with a huge role. maybe bkn calls him, but is that any better?
His shooting and locker room presence were great and a highlight to me in a crappy season. If he’s back as a ten minute a game off the bench scorer I’m good with it.
I'm fine with as much as 18 mpg, if we're smart about it. No back to backs, never at C, never when it doesn't make sense matchup wise (especially against gazelle teams). DNPs are going to happen. He was one of the only reasons to watch a lot of these awful games. His attitude and mid range master class session were HUGE attributes to this team. I haven't seen anyone do pull off some of those moves since Kobe. At his age, he's still an elite bucket getter. As long as it makes sense with roster construction, I absolutely want him back. His positivity was huge and you need his good vibes in the locker room. I enjoyed the games where I got a headache from joining in with the 3 to the dome celebrations.
The thing with Melo is, he can still explode for 10 quick points. That’s SO useful. These kind of offensively gifted players win you games you have no business winning. You rest your starters at the beginning of the fourth and Melo buries two threes and a fade away in the post and you got 8 easy points. We never really got to see a Lebron at point with a Melo & AD front court with two other 3&D threats either. Imagine batum, ingles or Warren. That’s an interesting lineup. Like JSM, I still think Melo can be useful in 18 mins.
Also with those scoring bursts comes crowd energy. Staples/Crypto truly loved Melo. They were all in on day one. Every 3, as soon as it left his hands, you could hear commotion from the crowd. There aren't a lot of those guys available. And there's close to none of those guys available for the minimum. That has value.
