On one hand yes on the other no. I would feel better about it now that we’ve added plus defenders on the wing in Covington and jones. Melo could still have a role but we wouldn’t need to rely on him as heavy.
Melo looks better than ever. He's working out, got serious spring in his giddy up, and is really zero'd in from distance. To me, a MUST re-sign to complete a fantastic offseason. Melo won me over. Bigtime!!
The only role for him on this team is low minutes backup, and from just listening to the dude he is not going to be okay with that.
Low minutes backup? Whatever. There are minutes at PF to be had. I like Zach bigtime! But he hasn't proven he can stay healthy, or come up big on offense yet. The minute are there. Unless the Blazers go small, Cov is best suited to play SF, IMO.
If the Blazers are playing Melo 30+ minutes per game, and they have any intentions of contending for a title, they better hope to gods hell that their offense is far and away the best in the NBA, because they sure as hell are not stopping anyone on the other end. I know this is just my opinion, but I’m fairly confident on this one.
Fine! Didn't say he needs to play 30. How 'bout 22-25. But low minutes is like 5-10. He's WAYYYY better than that.
If that's the case, then you move on. I'm just saying you don't push a guy who can score consistently against good defense on all three levels out the door if you can make it reasonably work. Players like that are rare assets. When you are making a comeback and he need someone who can fill it up in a hurry, you want a Melo to at least give you a chance. When teams are making it hard for Dame and CJ to get quality shots, a player like Melo is a tremendous weapon, because few teams have a third defender who can handle him. He also provides a market inefficiency as a low post scorer, which can open up the offensive side of the floor in ways a lot of teams don't even attempt anymore, playing inside-out. But I don't think the original question was can we make it work with Melo. It was should we. Those are different questions entirely, and, since I don't have Melo on my psychic friends network, I have no idea what his priorities are right now to make him want to come back.
IFFFFFF: Melo is in even better shape, strengthened up and has improved quickness... ANDDDD: He is willing to play his ass off for 12-18 minutes a game most likely not being a starter but maybe closing at times.... THEN: Perhaps there is a spot for him here. He can hit bit shots but needs to be more effecient, make more plays for his teammates and improve defensively.
The idea that he’s a good scorer is not even true. His efficiency numbers are not good for someone that uses as much possessions as he does. His best use on offense is staying in the corner and making catch and shoots, but the guy himself talks about how he’s a rhythm player. He needs minutes, he needs to touch the basketball. We had the minutes and the need last season. We don’t this season. Love the guys impact off the court last season but there’s no on court role for him this season.
The question I have is how does Melo score? He stops the ball and does his iso thing... this stalls the offense. How does Melo defend? He doesn't. We can't even afford to have CJ doing these two things to us, so we definitely can't have Melo doing them at the same time. For those of you who are so against RoCo playing the four what position do you think is Melo's natural position? Who do you think has more starts at PF in their career? What Melo did for us last season was play poorly at PF and was one of the main reasons why going into the bubble we were on the outside of the playoff picture looking in. The guy can still play... his best position is probably being in great shape and playing at SF, he did help us when playing that way. We have enough of those and I would take RoCo at PF 100 times out of 100 over Melo. Let Melo go somewhere he can feel appreciated because with the roster we're assembling here he just wouldn't feel the love.
Seems like there are minutes at the PF spot to start the season since Zach isn’t likely going to be ready for a month or two. Is Melo the right guy? Don’t know. Is Gabriel going to be re-signed? Is there another cheap PF out there who’s available and a better player/fit? Doubt it.
Assume for sake of argument the team wants him back. Can we offer him the most money? Can we offer him the most PT? Can we offer him the best chance to grab a ring? What exactly is his reason for returning?
Bingo...he was interested in us last year as he wasn't getting calls from anyone else. Which is cool, helped us both. If he gets other opportunities now it ay be best for both he goes elsewhere, just depends on motivations.
If they are truly trying to keep Melo; I think it's a big mistake. This is not good team-building by the GM. Throwing a bunch of guys together, almost all of them one way players (and mixed on which way!) and depending on a coach with little time to gel before the season and a shorter season and a coach who I don't think is great at figuring out how to meld a team and reluctant to ask the team to do the work to figure out how to work together. Not a good situation.
I want him back at 20-23 minutes a game. I think he is the one other vet presense this team still needs. He proved himself to this team and showed he is willing to work hard and be a team player. We just nailed down a bunch of defense. Id welcome him in a heart beat on a friendly contract now.
