Just because Melo is a Knick doesn't mean you have to defend him by default. I mean it's not like he's elevated his play from when he was in Denver, since being here....Player comparisons are what they are and often times it can come down to preferences. I want a player who does more than one thing well on the court and Blake does more things for the benefit of a team than Melo and the number says that he does.
But to switch gears as so many think Melo is the greatest thing since sliced bread here's where I ultimately judge him....Against competition that matters
From Basketball Reference Dot Com
Playoffs As A Knick:
Melo shoots +40%: Knicks are 5-1
Melo shoots -40%: Knicks are 1-5
That's a mediocre 6-6 record and in half the games he plays like trash offensively(his supposed strength)
Playoffs As A Nugget:
Melo shoots +40%: his teams are 15-17
Melo shoots -40%: his teams are 7-24
That's still a mediocre 22-41 record and in half the games he plays like trash offensively(his supposed strength)
In 66 playoff games Melo has failed to shoot over 40% in 34 of them. Does Melo have somewhat of a clutch gene...yeah in comparison to the league he's one of the best at it, although those who are clutch still fail far more often that they succeed. Also the last time I checked players/teams don't win Championships clutching their way through most of the playoffs. I'd wager to say most tight games won in the clutch during the playoffs is probably somewhere between 5-10% if that, of all games played IN THE HISTORY OF THE NBA.
Nevertheless great players.... those who are considerd all-time greats.... the greater majority of them ELEVATE their play in the post-season. Melo has yet to do this in his career over any stretch of sustainable games. You can't pay a guy asking for $26-28mil/yr, who's never even come close to doing so. Stop looking at objective criticism of Melo as hate and accept it for what it is....HE JUST NOT THAT GOOD