Melo + MDA was doomed from the start.
MDA had the guys he wanted at the start of 2010-11 for the most part - this team got gutted for a ball stopping three forward that really did nothing MDA wanted to do.
Melo came in entitled and selfish, and MDA remained married to his system, a system that by the way has won as many titles in the NBA as Riley and JVG in NY, for what it's worth (two coaches whose era Knicks fans pine for). To MDA's credit, he lived and died by his sword. The ownership clearly chose Melo, that's fine - but several guys thrived here in Melo's absence.
Melo has to realize this is a team game, and what's best for the team might not necessarily be best for his individual numbers. So far, I haven't seen any of it. He has to change his thought process before real progress is made.
I agree to a certain extent.
I don't know how entitled or selfish Melo is for expecting to be put in a position to succeed. Other teams do it for their star players. As big as Durant is, he comes off scripted screens to get open looks. He's not pigeonholed into one spot of the floor for the sake of the "offense."
It makes no sense to have a talented 3, and just treat him like any other small forward out there, and not feature him.
Rudy Gay is feature, KD is featured, Blake is featured, Aldridge is featured, Melo was not featured. Barely even ran the PnR with Lin.
Love him, hate him, indifferent, whatever...you can't tell me that makes any sense whatsoever.
Yes, MDA was married to his system, but when it's clearly not incorporating the most talented player you have on the roster, and it's taking away his opportunity to utilize his talent....I don't see how that's a virtuous attribute. Seems kinda dumb to me.
We have one half of the anti-Melo faction saying his numbers are terrible (which they are) and then you have some saying he's in it for personal numbers, and that's why he hates the system?
His scoring and FG% was a DIRECT result of how many fouls and and-1s he got from operating on the low block. Post, utilize footwork, get fouled, miss the shot, make 2 free throws = points without affecting FG%.
His free throw attempts are down this season, but his shots from the perimeter are up...so you have a guy that will routinely stop the clock and put points up on the board, but you willing to give that up for a "system" an ideology? Is it really worth it?
I don't see how anyone can make that argument.