Two Carmelo Anthony Related Points

I seriously doubt Carmelo gets many "hockey-assists." He simply does not pass enough.

I'm not too worried about his passing actually. On the one hand, it's disappointing that he has played 7 years and his maturity about the game hasn't expanded to involve more playmaking. But the other hand, at least he has the ability and vision to pass. It's not a hopeless cause like it is with guys like Maggette or Gay who lack the necessary vision, much less the mindset, to add to their game. Under a coach that stresses ball movement, Carmelo should be able to average 5 assists a game.

His defense is another story however. To me, it's more that he lacks the lateral agility to be a good defensive player than anything having to do with coaches or an one-way mindset.

Horseradish is great. Lettuce on...pass. I like to overload on tomato and skip the lettuce.

That's what they said about Nash. Billups is a big guard that relies on smarts, body control, and has a jumper. These are things that don't regress as quickly as other aspects of a player's game. The main thing to worry about is his slip on defense but I think the fact that we have Lowry backing him will help tremendously.

Why Billups would fit better within the next 3 years vs Brooks
1. Championship experience - he's done it before and knows what it takes to get it done
2. Can manage offense and control the tempo better than Brooks.
3. Better post entry passer
4. Better at drawing fouls
5. Mr clutch
6. just as good at 3's for spacing

DOthisNOW,brings up another point about Carmelo.
Even if Carmelo is traded to another team the aftershocks may shake loose someone the Rockets like.
Billups would likely become available-and while I wouldn't trade for him-the Rockets may want him to see if the team could contend this yr or next.(Brooks,Jeffries,non-guaranteed contracts of Harris and Johnson is just enough,saves Denver $4mil+ in salary.)
A trade of Anthony to NJ could see Terrence Williams available.(If he stays in NJ,perhaps Brooks and Taylor.)
The Rockets could even be part of a three-way w/the Ariza TPE and multiple Firsts available to skim off someone else the team has had an eye on.

Billups is 34, he not going to be around for 3 more years.

I know the focus is on Anthony right now but I thought I'd throw in an alternative trade

Rox in: Billups and Iguodala
Rox out to Den: Brooks, Jeffries, Harris, Johnson
Rox out to Phi: Hill, Battier, NY pick(s)

Rox '10-11

Billups/Lowry/Ish
Martin/Lee
Iguodala/Budinger
Scola/Hayes/Patterson
Yao/Miller

Imho, this is a more complete and better balanced roster if our aim is to be championship contenders for the next 3 years.

Then again, Morey does have stats he tracks that we don't. He has mentioned before that Tracy McGrady gets a lot of "super-assists," meaning the pass that leads to the assist. Melo may be above average in something like that, though his shooting inefficiency and lack of all-around game probably cancel it out.

TS% takes into account free throw percentage, not free throw attempts. I singled out free throw attempts because that is Melo's only real skill. I agree that he's underwhelming in every other area.

Morey said one of the reasons he traded for Kevin Martin was that Yao is so much better when teams are in the penalty. If we acquire Melo without giving up Martin, we would have a starting lineup (Lowry, Martin, Anthony) that draws fouls at an alarming rate. Yao would not be able to be defended as effectively, because teams would be giving up automatic points to him at the free throw line if they foul. If that is worth it to Morey, then he will get Melo if he can.

When Morey says superstar, I doubt he means what ESPN calls a superstar. He means a statistically productive and/or defensive superstar. He gave up a minor star in Rudy Gay to get a defensive star in Battier. Melo probably isn't a superstar in Morey's eyes.

/devilsadvocate

Drawing free throws is a nice skill, but it's factored into stats like True Shooting, and who knows what even more advanced metric Daryl Morey uses to filter stuff like TS further. Carmelo Anthony's TS (again, including drawing FTs) is around 55%. But he's also behind peers on other basic measures like rebounding, etc. He takes so many shots to make his nightly 25 points that it's taking opportunities away from other players -- players with a higher TS like Yao Ming, Kevin Martin, and Luis Scola.

I don't think anyone watching the floor would cite intangibles in his favor, either -- there are just very few measures that reflect Anthony glowingly. I believe the only reason why we believe Morey has an interest in Anthony is Morey's stated desire to pick up a superstar because that's what it takes to win in the NBA. That is the *only* reason to consider why he might want Anthony. Everything else seriously questions the decision, and the fact that so many are split on whether we should even pursue him should give serious pause, considering the hefty contract.

Morey wants Chris Paul. Morey wants Ricky Rubio. We briefly flirted with Amar'e Stoudemire, and openly wooed Chris Bosh. I'm not sure if Anthony is on the table, but I am lukewarm about the possibility of his arrival at best.

Should try wasabe on sandwich... puts a real kick into the sandwich

I only do horseradish on Rubin sandwiches.
Other than that, I don't think it's applicable to any other thing I've eaten.

I think Morey's interest would have to hinge on how important he views the ability to draw fouls. That is the one elite skill Carmelo has. If getting to the line is as important to Morey as shooting efficiency, then he would make the trade. However, if that is the case, Kevin Martin could not be part of the deal. He draws nearly as many fouls and shoots much more efficiently. If, as Hollinger has suggested, we can make the deal with Aaron Brooks and the NY picks, I wouldn't be surprised to see it happen.

If Morey does not value free throw attempts so highly, I just can't see him making the trade. He has already shown with the Battier acquisition that volume scoring is not valuable to him. Conventional wisdom goes with Rudy Gay in that situation, just like conventional wisdom goes with acquiring Carmelo Anthony.

I almost spit out this lettuce when I saw that, especially the care used in so aptly titling it: "john cena is legendary"....ya think?

the early choice of subject interest (ie: my sandwich and john cena) do not bode well for the path of this discussion

Bag of Cheetos included obviously.

I'd like to point out as well that the indomitable John Cena greeting me kindly from the NBA video feed is a deft touch. 'Melo has to be a fan of the 5 knuckle shuffle.

I don't know that they will, but they'd be wise to deal him now.

If he's actually willing to go there, and indications are that he is, my money is on the Nets. As far as the Rockets, I'm not completely convinced that they're interested.

how do you think this melo drama ends, will he be traded before the season starts? I cant see the Nuggs holding on until the deadline bc the offers on Melo wouldn't be as good then bc everyone would know the Nuggs had lost all leverage...

If they trade now, are the nets and rockets in the lead in your opinion?

I should add that I'm well aware I'm about to get destroyed for my admission of using horseradish. If you haven't tried horseradish, you haven't lived.

turkey. I like to toast it mildly, then put cheese, mustard, horseradish (yes, horseradish - not a joke), and shredded lettuce and tomato. Don't ever underestimate the impact of lettuce upon a sandwich.

what kind of sandwich?