Official 2013 NBA Offseason Thread

[shoeking2101]

How is cp3 not a reliable #1 option? Though he can put it in the basket, you do not have to score to be a #1

I disagree with this notion. To be a number one option for a WINNING team? You have to be able to fill it up,prolifically, especially when the lights are on in the playoffs. Paul can't do that well enough to win.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

I disagree with this notion. To be a number one option for a WINNING team? You have to be able to fill it up,prolifically, especially when the lights are on in the playoffs. Paul can't do that well enough to win.

I guess I just have more faith in a Paul led team than Melos. Again that's not to say melo isn't a number one option, there aren't many better options than him. The style of play that melo has to me has less of a chance of leading a team to a title than what Paul can do with his

 

[ballinsam23]

Both Melo and CP3 are #1 options. They just need a better #2 option.

Granted the Clippers are deeper, have a better coach, and a better #2. So there should be no excuses for CP3 at this point.

 

[black migo]

04 and 07 was the last time a team won a title with the pg being the #1, before that it was isaiah and magic, so you can say its rare to win a title with your pg as a #1

 

[shoeking2101]

I guess I just have more faith in a Paul led team than Melos. Again that's not to say melo isn't a number one option, there aren't many better options than him. The style of play that melo has to me has less of a chance of leading a team to a title than what Paul can do with his

Well as of right now neither one of them have come close to leading a team to a title so what makes CP a better number one option than Melo?

 

[shoeking2101]

04 and 07 was the last time a team won a title with the pg being the #1, before that it was isaiah and magic, so you can say its rare to win a title with your pg as a #1

04 was an anomaly because Billups although was there number one option, there wasn't a real number one option on that team. Equal opportunity.

07 Tony Parker. But he had the greatest Power Forward of all time playing with him.

It's their size and there ability (or lack thereof) to be able to score at will. Normally, all it takes to completely disrupt them is a physically better player. That is, one who's bigger, stronger, taller, longer, etc. It's vital when in the playoffs to have a guy that can get a good shot up regardless of the defense.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Both Melo and CP3 are #1 options. They just need a better #2 option.

Granted the Clippers are deeper, have a better coach, and a better #2. So there should be no excuses for CP3 at this point.

Yep, agree with you there. Paul really has no real excuse. Blake Griffin's development is still coming around but it's time to get to the conference finals.

Well as of right now neither one of them have come close to leading a team to a title so what makes CP a better number one option than Melo?

Again, style of play. ISOMelo aint my cup of tea. As I said before, you can poke holes in any superstar's resume/skill set, so I don't mean to hang Melo out to dry but I find Paul's ability to raise his team's play more appealing than Melo's ability to score a ton and rebound well. I trust Paul's IQ and decision making more than anyone in the league.

Bottom line, there are only a handful of "number ones" in the league and there aren't many better than Melo. When it comes to comparing players at the top, you're really just splitting hairs and it comes down to personal preference.

 

[ny mavurs]

If I remember correctly, Paul and Melo, each, have only passed the First Round twice?

 

[dmbrhs]

If I remember correctly, Paul and Melo, each, have only passed the First Round twice?

To be fair, George Karl was Carmelo's coach a lot of those seasons. As in, Mr. First Round Exit, George Karl lol.

 

[Vincent Van Goat]

Let's not bring coaches into this lol

 

[dt43]

Exactly. Like I said, to be fair to melo there are only a few guys who are better number one options. Bron, kd.. Paul maybe rose maybe dirk maybe

But my thing is, With the exception of Born and KD, who else in the NBA are better number one options than Melo and what makes them better #1 options?

It can't be winning because as of right now, today, Only Lebron has been doing that and KD actually got to the finals. Paul? Nope. Rose? Nope. Dirk as of right now, today? Nope. He's 27 7 and 2 every night. That's a number one option.

Lebron, Durant, Kobe, Harden, Paul, Dirk, Rose, Howard are better #1 options than Melo.

And I would rather have guys who aren't currently clearcut #1 options like Westbrook, Parker, Duncan, Wade, Marc Gasol over Melo as well.


Not too many teams would want a forward who takes 30 shots per game in the playoffs and doesn't play a lick of defense.

 

[hyunsoochoi3]

Both Melo and CP3 are #1 options. They just need a better #2 option.

Granted the Clippers are deeper, have a better coach, and a better #2. So there should be no excuses for CP3 at this point.

Also, I think it's easier to pair a guard or center with a #2 and make it work than it is to take a forward with a #2 and make it work.

I was going to say look at lebron, but I'm still not sold on lebron's ability to be a #1

 

[dt43]

Both Melo and CP3 are #1 options. They just need a better #2 option.

Granted the Clippers are deeper, have a better coach, and a better #2. So there should be no excuses for CP3 at this point.

Also, I think it's easier to pair a guard with a #2 and make it work than it is to take a forward with a #2 and make it work.

Historically speaking, it's easier to build around a forward.

Lebron is a forward with a #2. Durant is a forward with a #2. The problem is when your forward is a chucker who doesn't know how to impact games other than shooting.

 

[MambaMentality824]

Also, I think it's easier to pair a guard or center with a #2 and make it work than it is to take a forward with a #2 and make it work.

I was going to say look at lebron, but I'm still not sold on lebron's ability to be a #1

Bruh...

 

[shoeking2101]

Lebron, Durant, Kobe, Harden, Paul, Dirk, Rose, Howard are better #1 options than Melo.

And I would rather have guys who aren't currently clearcut #1 options like Westbrook, Parker, Duncan, Wade, Marc Gasol over Melo as well.


Not too many teams would want a forward who takes 30 shots per game in the playoffs and doesn't play a lick of defense.

As of today, right now, Kobe, Harden, Paul, Dirk, Rose, and Howard are better #1 options?

Really? Why?

The Same Kobe who could barely get his team in the playoffs this past year?

Harden? Really? Like I said, he's completely unproven in this regard. He's been the number one option for one season and got bounced in the first round.

Paul, Dirk, Rose? Really? Why? What makes them better number one options than Melo? None of those guys have won. CP doesn't win in the playoffs. Neither does Rose. Dirk has before, but he isn't RIGHT NOW.

Dwight? As a number one scoring option?

All of those guys you listed won't get past the 2nd round in all likelihood unless their other option(s) play HUGE roles. As a number one option, none of those guys are any better than Melo. If success measures how good a number one option is, then none of those guys are better number one options than Melo.

 

[hyunsoochoi3]

Historically speaking, it's easier to build around a forward.

Lebron is a forward with a #2. Durant is a forward with a #2. The problem is when your forward is a chucker who doesn't know how to impact games other than shooting.

Really? Maybe it's not fair to look back on two guards initialed MJ, Magic and Michael. And then Kobe, Shaq, I consider Duncan more center than forward, I don't know. Maybe I'm being short-sighted

 

[dmbrhs]

Also, I think it's easier to pair a guard or center with a #2 and make it work than it is to take a forward with a #2 and make it work.

I was going to say look at lebron, but I'm still not sold on lebron's ability to be a #1

I quit. I've officially seen it all.

Unless you're just trolling.

 

[shoeking2101]

Historically speaking, it's easier to build around a forward.

Lebron is a forward with a #2. Durant is a forward with a #2. The problem is when your forward is a chucker who doesn't know how to impact games other than shooting.

No. The key word you used is "Building" around a forward. The two people you've cited have had the pleasure of playing with Hall of Fame talent has their #2 Option. Melo has had that on one other occasion with Allen Iverson, and they lost to Championship caliber teams.

You can build around Melo. Give him a running mate that is as good as Westbrook, or Wade and see what he does.

 

[tyonenine]

I'm feeling the same way

 

[Humbled]

Both Melo and CP3 are #1 options. They just need a better #2 option.

Granted the Clippers are deeper, have a better coach, and a better #2. So there should be no excuses for CP3 at this point.

Also, I think it's easier to pair a guard or center with a #2 and make it work than it is to take a forward with a #2 and make it work.

I was going to say look at lebron, but I'm still not sold on lebron's ability to be a #1

This is without a doubt the dumbest statement I've seen in S&T since I joined. :x

 

[dt43]

Lebron, Durant, Kobe, Harden, Paul, Dirk, Rose, Howard are better #1 options than Melo.

And I would rather have guys who aren't currently clearcut #1 options like Westbrook, Parker, Duncan, Wade, Marc Gasol over Melo as well.


Not too many teams would want a forward who takes 30 shots per game in the playoffs and doesn't play a lick of defense.

As of today, right now, Kobe, Harden, Paul, Dirk, Rose, and Howard are better #1 options?

Really? Why?

The Same Kobe who could barely get his team in the playoffs this past year?

Harden? Really? Like I said, he's completely unproven in this regard. He's been the number one option for one season and got bounced in the first round.

Paul, Dirk, Rose? Really? Why? What makes them better number one options than Melo? None of those guys have won. CP doesn't win in the playoffs. Neither does Rose. Dirk has before, but he isn't RIGHT NOW.

Dwight? As a number one scoring option?

All of those guys you listed won't get past the 2nd round in all likelihood unless their other option(s) play HUGE roles. As a number one option, none of those guys are any better than Melo. If success measures how good a number one option is, then none of those guys are better number one options than Melo.

The same Kobe who was won 2 championships and countless playoff series as a #1 option. This past season for the Lakers was notably derailed by injuries. He was able to will them into the playoffs while putting up equal/better all-around numbers than Melo. So yes, I think Kobe is a superior #1 option to Melo. Obviously.

Harden is a more efficient scorer and a significantly better playmaker than Melo. Both qualities I would want in a #1 option.

Dirk carried his team to a championship in 2011. He is a better player than Melo and always has been.

Dwight Howard was the #1 scoring option on a Finals team and an ECF team. I'd say that qualifies as having more success than Anthony.

I think you're forgetting the fact that there's more to basketball than scoring. Having your #1 option take significantly more shots than everyone else isn't necessarily a good thing, especially if they do little else on the floor.

Historically speaking, it's easier to build around a forward.

Lebron is a forward with a #2. Durant is a forward with a #2. The problem is when your forward is a chucker who doesn't know how to impact games other than shooting.

No. The key word you used is "Building" around a forward. The two people you've cited have had the pleasure of playing with Hall of Fame talent has their #2 Option. Melo has had that on one other occasion with Allen Iverson, and they lost to Championship caliber teams.

You can build around Melo. Give him a running mate that is as good as Westbrook, or Wade and see what he does.

You can build around Melo, but it's a lot more difficult to build around a player like him than it is any of the players I named in my post. That's why I'd take them over Melo.

Of course he would have more success with a #2 like Westbrook and Wade, but not as much as they're having with their current #1 option teammates (both of whom are superior to Melo).

 

[Deleted member 38182]

 

[shoeking2101]

The same Kobe who was won 2 championships and countless playoff series as a #1 option. This past season for the Lakers was notably derailed by injuries. He was able to will them into the playoffs while putting up equal/better all-around numbers than Melo. So yes, I think Kobe is a superior #1 option to Melo. Obviously.

Harden is a more efficient scorer and a significantly better playmaker than Melo. Both qualities I would want in a #1 option.

Dirk carried his team to a championship in 2011. He is a better player than Melo and always has been.

Dwight Howard was the #1 scoring option on a Finals team and an ECF team. I'd say that qualifies as having more success than Anthony.

I think you're forgetting the fact that there's more to basketball than scoring. Having your #1 option take significantly more shots than everyone else isn't necessarily a good thing, especially if they do little else on the floor.

Bruh, right now though...

Kobe hasn't gotten touched the WCF in 3 years. That plus his age and the success of LA last year suggest him being a number one option right now won't get you anywhere.

Harden as a number one option just lost in the first round to a depleted Thunder squad. Granted, this was his first year as a number one option and that Rockets team wasn't a legit playoff team anyway, but if you're going to say he's a better number one option than Melo then we have to call it as it is. As of right now, him as a number one option hasn't done anything noteworthy. Certaintly not anything that Melo hasn't done. You could say that in the future Harden will be an awesome number one option (which I said earlier that he would) but he could also be a non successful one. Who knows. What we do know, is that him as a number one so far hasn't amounted to much.

Dirk since 2011 has gotten bounced out of the playoffs and this past year didn't even make it. Again, right now. Dirk is a better number one option than Melo? Please, spare me.

Dwight Howard hasn't done much success wise since that championship run. Again, as of right now, what has he done recently as a number one? Get bounced in the first round consecutive years. That's the facts of it.


Now if we were saying who would be a better number one option for their careers? Then sure all of these guys (sans harden) would be a better number one option. But not right now. No Way. Like I said, if success is what you measure how good your number one option is, then Melo is behind Lebron and Durant. That's it. And Melo does not only score by the way. He's a very good rebounder, and although his statistics may say otherwise, he is a solid playmaker.

 

[shoeking2101]

Of course he would have more success with a #2 like Westbrook and Wade, but not as much as they're having with their current #1 option teammates (both of whom are superior to Melo).

Can't say this because you have no idea how playing with a talent like Westbrook or Wade would affect his game. Melo could thrive with that kind of talent and challenge for rings every year....or he could be where he is today with those guys. We don't know so to assume he wouldn't have that kind of success is unfair.

 

[jumpmanpro97]

Historical speaking PG/PF combos can make it to the finals KJ/Barkely Payton/Kemp Stockton/Malone Kidd/Martin too bad they always end up playing against a Phil Jackson lead team with hall of famers on the roster. I am a big Chris Paul fan but I don't think he can win a title with out a legit big man that can get easy buckets in the playoffs. The Lob City act is fun for regular season but just like 7 seconds or less it won't make any noise in the playoffs. The whole pace slows down. Blake and DeAndre have no post moves to get themselves easy buckets.