Melo vs BKLN
Chall is right. The first thing I noticed in training camp was how slim and fit Carmelo was. He was visibly lighter, quicker, stronger and more explosive than last years out of shape and often injured version. The Olympics served as an early training camp, and almost everyone who participated, namely Carmelo, Durant, Kobe, and Harden have all looked significantly sharper than I thought they would.
The pacing they've put themselves through, I think, conditions a player to be in basketball shape year round. This is vital for a team that rarely makes the Finals gets there, and aren't used to playing in May and June. For some players who've always used May and June as a rest period, the body's chemistry may be geared toward winding down. I don't think playing in some of the most competitive practices ever seen on a basketball court can be ignored.
Lastly, Carmelo was personally hurt for the attacks of him being "selfish", a "team destroyer", and a "me first player". He defended himself by saying I was only doing what was asked of me to win games. However this year, he has truly taken on the mantle of a complete player. He may not average a ton of assists, but he keep the ball moving unless there a clear iso or open three. He taking smart shots, getting aggressive at the right times, playing very good defense, hustling after loose balls, and finishing games. He has, as much as a person can do in only 21 games, dispelled every notion about his shortcomings and the Knicks are reaping the rewards.
And I am loving it as much Bill Simmons weasely ass is hating it right now.
Melo's off to the best start in his career, IMO, but he's not a clear cut favorite
Durant is dropping 27 ppg 8.5 rpg 4.3 apg 1.3 spg 1.3 bpg on 50 % FG 44% 3 PT 89% FT
Now that Lebron James is hitting the boards harder and spending more time in the post he's in the top 17 in points, rebounds and assists,
Those two come to mind, Carmelo absolutely deserves to be in the conversation. He's doing great, but don't over look these guys.
of course i won't over look James and Durant but the fact that melo don't have a high Caliber superstar along side him (no disrespect to felton or chandler or kidd but felton isn't westbrook and kidd isn't wade maybe you can make a case for chandler vs bosh) and the knicks are top in the east, that's very impressive and if the season ended today Melo is the MVP. anw MVP or no MVP melo is without a doubt a top 10 player in the NBA right now i mean its crazy how people argue but you know haters always gonna hate (@charlesbarkley :P). finally i wish all the best for melo and the knicks as they deserve a break after a decades of bad results .
the biggest number is in the knicks win column. The fact that he his improved play has 'turned' around the team, or that opwould be the angle on the story. Obviously we know its much more than that but if the can get a top three record in the east hes gotta be the favorite
It was an awesome game. Melo was amazing. He created easy shots and when he couldn't he hit the hard shots. Kidd was also kind of awesome. Six threes!
Despite the loss, I think the Nets have the Knicks number. Johnson just made a few coaching mistakes. The Nets started out crushing the Knicks. They were up 20 to 5 at one point and had a 17 point lead in the first quarter. Then Avery Johnson started adjusting his team to match the Knicks personnel. For about a 5 minute stretch in the second quarter the Nets played CJ Watson, Joe Johnson, Marshon Brooks, Stackhouse and Humphries. (And this is after Humphries didn't even start.) Think about that lineup. It would be undersized in a good division 3 college game. Basically during that period the Knicks got an offensive rebound on every other shot and with all the extra shots they cut into the lead.
Anyway, I think the Knicks can't handle Lopez, Evans, Blatche and Humphries. Evans grabbed 18 rebounds last night and he was a beast in the first game as well. Blatche dropped 24 on 9 for 13 shooting. But Johnson didn't just ride the big boys. I think Chandler will always get in foul trouble against the Nets and I think no one on the Knicks except for Chandler can keep the Nets (especially Evans) off the glass. It is a problem for the Knicks. I think it is just a matter of getting Evans and Blatche major minutes (like Evans plays 40 or something like that) and the Nets will win more often than not. Lopez is also going to create foul trouble for Chandler when he gets back. Nets are just too big for the Knicks back court. And to take advantage of this all Johnson has to do is to remember to have a Center and PF on the court at all times.
Also Marshon Brooks looks very good out there. He will get more minutes and allows Johnson to rest more very soon.
45 pts 5 rbd 3 asst 15/24 FG 5/7 3pts 10/11 Ft all that against a hard defender G wallace and with an injured finger. Hate him or love him until now he's the MVP!