Klay Thompson vs. Carmelo Anthony

Title. Saw this on the NBA subreddit; want to see ISH's opinions.

It's an interesting comparison. One guy was the primary option most of his career; another was the second and third option on a dynasty. It depends on what the question is asking.

- Who's higher up on the all-time rankings?

- Who's better as a first option?

- Who's better as a supporting act to a first option?

I suppose those should be the parameters of this thread.

Think about answering those questions. You should consider their respective skill sets, accomplishments, and accolades. How good would Klay be as a primary option? How good would Carmelo be in a sidekick role to a greater player? Whose resume is more valuable all things considered?

Klay as "the man" is an interesting idea. Something like Reggie Miller, Ray Allen, or Peja Stojakovic?

Melo might be the "best" player I think the least of. He couldn't contribute anything meaningful outside of scoring, which he did on average efficiency, and his teams basically did nothing his entire career. Melo still clearly ranks higher based on individual resume, he's a 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, won a scoring title, while Klay could only really fall back on team accomplishments.

Melo might technically be the better first option, but where is that gonna lead you, getting bounced in the first round year after year? I'd take Klay on my team all day over Melo, who I honestly don't even think would be a good fit as 2nd option/sidekick to a superstar teammate.

I would take guys considered a lot less accomplished individually like Middleton, Marion & Schrempf on my team over Melo.

[QUOTE=SouBeachTalents;14752777]Melo might be the "best" player I think the least of. He couldn't contribute anything meaningful outside of scoring, which he did on average efficiency, and his teams basically did nothing his entire career. Melo still clearly ranks higher based on individual resume, he's a 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, won a scoring title, while Klay could only really fall back on team accomplishments.

Melo might technically be the better first option, but where is that gonna lead you, getting bounced in the first round year after year? I'd take Klay on my team all day over Melo, who I honestly don't even think would be a good fit as 2nd option/sidekick to a superstar teammate.

I would take guys considered a lot less accomplished individually like Middleton, Marion & Schrempf on my team over Melo.[/QUOTE]
Incoming PeroAntic meltdown

[QUOTE=SouBeachTalents;14752777]Melo might be the "best" player I think the least of. He couldn't contribute anything meaningful outside of scoring, which he did on average efficiency, and his teams basically did nothing his entire career. Melo still clearly ranks higher based on individual resume, he's a 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, won a scoring title, while Klay could only really fall back on team accomplishments.

Melo might technically be the better first option, but where is that gonna lead you, getting bounced in the first round year after year? I'd take Klay on my team all day over Melo, who I honestly don't even think would be a good fit as 2nd option/sidekick to a superstar teammate.

I would take guys considered a lot less accomplished individually like Middleton, Marion & Schrempf on my team over Melo.[/QUOTE]

Funny coming from you, since you seem to put a whole lot of stock into Lebron's career points record...

Klay one of the best SG ever. Carmelo in a long line of high scoring SF. Many who did it a lot better without as much hype

[QUOTE=Full Court;14752806]Funny coming from you, since you seem to put a whole lot of stock into Lebron's career points record...[/QUOTE]
How the fck do you bring LeBron into this? Absolutely deranged :lol

I was never a big melo fan. Ball stopper with weak efficiency and didn't play defense. I would gladly take Klay on my team over Melo.

Melo's probably the better 'lead' player or individual talent but outside of 2009 ( and I'd argue the Nuggets don't make the WCFs without Billips leadership), he's not getting you too far and doesn't offer anything outside of scoring. Klay is a much better team player and his skillset is infinitely more portable. I don't know if the term 3' n D' applies to him because I think that more applies to role player 3 pointer/defensive specialists, but if that moniker is applicable to Klay he's gotta be the GOAT 3nD who is a legit star and 2nd option on a championship team.

Melo's individual resume would probably land him higher on most lists( consider that he made the 75th team and Klay didn't, for example), but I'd definitely take Klay if GMing a franchise.

I'm taking Klay over Melo any day of the week. Klay can fit into an offense and doesn't need to be the #1 guy. He can also play off the ball really well and was a strong defensive guard at his peak.

as a 2nd man depends greatly on what era, rest of their build and who the first is.

Even though Klay seems to be the greater fit to an already established contender, Melo as a 2nd man seems more likely to win you a title.

If the 3rd guy is peak Draymond and you got Iggy and Bogut and others behind that, you should take Klay.

[QUOTE=HoopsNY;14752861]I'm taking Klay over Melo any day of the week. Klay can fit into an offense and doesn't need to be the #1 guy. He can also play off the ball really well and was a strong defensive guard at his peak.[/QUOTE]

Prime Melo went to the WCF. Where has Klay lead any team to as the primary option

[QUOTE=BigShotBob;14752876]Prime Melo went to the WCF. Where has Klay lead any team to as the primary option[/QUOTE]

the WCF, in 2016.

I'd rather have prime Klay on my team over prime Carmelo all day

[QUOTE=SouBeachTalents;14752812]How the fck do you bring LeBron into this? Absolutely deranged :lol[/QUOTE]

He brings LeBron into everything and still can't see how obsessed he is with him :oldlol:

Tough to say because basketball is a team game and timing is everything.

I think Carmelo in Klay's shoes could have hypothetically done everything Klay did because he was a better athlete and probably would have fell in line with the W's culture.

From what I have seen, Carmelo could play some excellent defense if we wanted to, he had all the physical tools. That is the only advantage Klay really has individually.

Now those 2 on a team together. Watch out

[QUOTE=BigShotBob;14752876]Prime Melo went to the WCF. Where has Klay lead any team to as the primary option[/QUOTE]

Why does he need to be the 1st option? And Melo didn't go to the WCF alone. That was the year they had added Billups, who was a big part of that team's success.

[QUOTE=HylianNightmare;14753132]Now those 2 on a team together. Watch out[/QUOTE]

lottery

[QUOTE=HoopsNY;14753201]Why does he need to be the 1st option? And Melo didn't go to the WCF alone. That was the year they had added Billups, who was a big part of that team's success.[/QUOTE]

His team was deep and talented. I actually had them beating the Lakers but their weakness was execution. Regardless anyone trying to say Klay are talking about the idea of Klay and the hypothetical of a player that has never existed. Klay is a good 2nd/3rd option scorer and defender and he fits in with the Warriors system. But Melo is and always will be a franchise cornerstone.

Think it really makes you wonder more what would have happened if Melo was drafted onto Detroit and brought up in a culture of team first. It would have been a pretty similar path as Klay I think but would this have suited Melo better? Klay is essentially a rich mans RIP Hamilton and Melo probably would have been that plus a killer post up and cutting game. The only thing that would be hard to say is if Melo's ego would have been able to learn to play that way.

[QUOTE=BigShotBob;14753204]His team was deep and talented. I actually had them beating the Lakers but their weakness was execution. Regardless anyone trying to say Klay are talking about the idea of Klay and the hypothetical of a player that has never existed. Klay is a good 2nd/3rd option scorer and defender and he fits in with the Warriors system. But Melo is and always will be a [B]franchise cornerstone.[/B][/QUOTE]
:oldlol: Franchise cornerstones have more than one deep playoff run in their career, sorry.

[QUOTE=Dbrog;14753205]Think it really makes you wonder more what would have happened if Melo was drafted onto Detroit and brought up in a culture of team first. It would have been a pretty similar path as Klay I think but would this have suited Melo better? Klay is essentially a rich mans RIP Hamilton and Melo probably would have been that plus a killer post up and cutting game. The only thing that would be hard to say is if Melo's ego would have been able to learn to play that way.[/QUOTE]

my guess is he would have been crying about being a 6th man. Starter only!

[QUOTE=SouBeachTalents;14752777]Melo might be the "best" player I think the least of. He couldn't contribute anything meaningful outside of scoring, which he did on average efficiency, and his teams basically did nothing his entire career. Melo still clearly ranks higher based on individual resume, he's a 10x All-Star, 6x All-NBA, won a scoring title, while Klay could only really fall back on team accomplishments.

Melo might technically be the better first option, but where is that gonna lead you, getting bounced in the first round year after year? I'd take Klay on my team all day over Melo, who I honestly don't even think would be a good fit as 2nd option/sidekick to a superstar teammate.

I would take guys considered a lot less accomplished individually like Middleton, Marion & Schrempf on my team over Melo.[/QUOTE]

Well Marion was outright better, probably on both ends. So this isn't a crazy opinion.

Middleton is a tougher sell. But defense is very important. Carmelo being a bad defender, AND passer, makes him so much worse than people can imagine. Is it possible to be a good teammate while being completely ass at defense and passing? The most team oriented parts of the game?

I remember Nene Hilario, while he was on the Rockets, years removed from being a teammate of Melo saying he's seen that Melo could've been a good defender but never wanted to do it. Having teammates know you suck on purpose has to hurt chemistry and motivation. Especially when you're just chucking shots and stealing credit from guys like JR, Nene, Martin, Billups, and Andersen who are busting ass on both ends allowing the team to stay competitive deep into the playoffs.

But look, it actually does work off the court. You have grown men, who've spent years watching basketball committing to the opinion that Carmelo Anthony and LeBron would have the same impact on playoff in a year like 2009 no less. Mediocrity sells.

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14752809]Klay one of the best SG ever. Carmelo in a long line of high scoring SF. Many who did it a lot better without as much hype[/QUOTE]

A lot better high scoring SFs than Melo? I can think of max like 2 or 3. And my mind goes to Nique, LeBron and KD. So name them. And Melo was like a hybrid SF / PF tbh

[QUOTE=999Guy;14838662]Well Marion was outright better, probably on both ends. So this isn't a crazy opinion.[/QUOTE]


[IMG]https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/images/story/201701/jackie-story_647_012517032327.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=WhiteKyrie;14838669]A lot better high scoring SFs than Melo? I can think of max like 2 or 3. So name them. And Melo was like a hybrid SF / PF tbh[/QUOTE]

he became a 4 as the game changed and he got older and slower. His old coach A.D. was a lot better. Alex English was better. Bernard King was better. He's more on par with another highly overrated sf Dominique who was never as good as those guys either. More hype sure

Melo is better but I would rather have Klay in my team

[QUOTE=Manny98;14838674]Melo is better but I would rather have Klay in my team[/QUOTE]

Agreed. Klay for a long while was a fantastic defender. Doesn’t need the ball in his hands to score, as odd as that sounds. He just is an electric catch and shoot guy who can fill it up at a high volume. Low maintenance and not a diva. Seems like a great guy too. Perfect teammate.

[QUOTE=Manny98;14838674]Melo is better but I would rather have Klay in my team[/QUOTE]

This is a contradictory statement with all due respect. By definition the player you would rather have on your team is the better player. You can argue Melo is more talented, but talent alone doesn't make you better.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you, just pointing that out. If that's how you really feel, then Klay is better.

[QUOTE=Baller234;14838680]This is a contradictory statement with all due respect. By definition the player you would rather have on your team is the better player. You can argue Melo is more talented, but talent alone doesn't make you better.

I'm not saying I agree or disagree with you, just pointing that out. If that's how you really feel, then Klay is better.[/QUOTE]

yep a big difference between more talent and better player. Would have never wanted Carmelo on my team. Every team would want Klay

Syracuse Melo was legit.

[video=youtube_share;3ymndM_HVKA]https://youtu.be/3ymndM_HVKA?si=vByKOXzeZoXYTo2g[/video]

He was a superstar talent. Playing on the Nuggets and Knicks his whole prime is a lot harder than playing with a top 10-15 GOAT talent like Curry and the warriors elite system.

The Nuggets were nice when they got Billups... but is Billups and Jr Smith and some nice role players enough to beat teams with Kobe, Pau, and Odom? Not really. And then the Knicks to beat Lebron and Wade and Bosh?

Melo is much more deadly as an accessory sniper. And if you look at Klays Finals averages or even playoff averages Melo was capable of so much more.

We saw Melo totally shine in international ball because of his elite jumper. He's almost like a super Klay tbh.

Another thing people aren't looking at is he was way more athletic than Klay. Someone put out a stat Melo was actually taking as many dunks in his prime as Kobe or Vince Carter or Tmac. Klay? Not even close.

You put Klay in those situations Syracuse, Denver or Dolan Knicks he ain't winning shit and most likely producing worse results on all fronts.

I was never a fan of 1st option Melo, but watching that Syracuse video or his Denver highlights the guy was a a great athlete. Not just shooting, but he was fast and agile and springy in a way Klay never was. I tend to think of Melo as Knicks or old Melo where he moved way more sluggish and was kinda stiff. The younger version had a spring in him.

[QUOTE=Im Still Ballin;14752762]Title. Saw this on the NBA subreddit; want to see ISH's opinions.

It's an interesting comparison. One guy was the primary option most of his career; another was the second and third option on a dynasty. It depends on what the question is asking.

- Who's higher up on the all-time rankings?

- Who's better as a first option?

- Who's better as a supporting act to a first option?

I suppose those should be the parameters of this thread.

Think about answering those questions. You should consider their respective skill sets, accomplishments, and accolades. How good would Klay be as a primary option? How good would Carmelo be in a sidekick role to a greater player? Whose resume is more valuable all things considered?[/QUOTE]


Carmelo
Carmelo
Carmelo

easy... all carmelo needed was a good PG he trusted

I don't quite believe Klay can create his own shots. I do believe a lot of his success comes from benefiting from Curry and his off-ball skills and the system -- all pretty much GSW bball.

Klay would put up good numbers as a first, but would probably never win anything Ex. Michael Redd

[QUOTE=tpols;14838704]I was never a fan of 1st option Melo, but watching that Syracuse video or his Denver highlights the guy was a a great athlete. Not just shooting, but he was fast and agile and springy in a way Klay never was. I tend to think of Melo as Knicks or old Melo where he moved way more sluggish and was kinda stiff. The younger version had a spring in him.[/QUOTE]

Melo had an amazing unique body. But he was much dumber and less serious in Denver. He actively made his teammates worse on both ends.

He peaked in 13 or 14.

Melo is a victim of bad circumstance. You wanna talk about a guy that would get your 30 every year nowadays... I'm sorry but Klay is def a good fit on his team, but if you are talking about picking a guy to start a team, if you pick Klay you are just hating. MELO? haha, dudes forgot what he was like when he actually played well.

Edit: and yea no matter what anyone says Melo winning in college does have meaning esp being a FR.

-Smak

Kelly oubre jr. > klay thompson

- Andrew MacFarlane

[QUOTE=ILLsmak;14838783]Melo is a victim of bad circumstance. You wanna talk about a guy that would get your 30 every year nowadays... I'm sorry but Klay is def a good fit on his team, but if you are talking about picking a guy to start a team, if you pick Klay you are just hating. MELO? haha, dudes forgot what he was like when he actually played well.

Edit: and yea no matter what anyone says Melo winning in college does have meaning esp being a FR.

-Smak[/QUOTE]

Freshman were generally the best players in the one and done era. That will be changing somewhat with the NIL. Carmelo playing well isn't a guy I want on my team. Every team would want Klay

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14838796]Freshman were generally the best players in the one and done era. That will be changing somewhat with the NIL. Carmelo playing well isn't a guy I want on my team. Every team would want Klay[/QUOTE]

It's very rare for a freshman one and done to succeed like Melo did. I think someone else did it recently (with a stacked team,) but while they are 'the best players,' they generally aren't ready to go deep in the tourney and win. Look at guys like KD for instance. They get it in, but they don't W. Crazy young team to win with, too.

It's not fair to say every team would want Klay. It's true, but that's because that's the type of player he is. He's basically a star role player haha. It's kind of a theoretical question, do you want the guy who can play second or third option role REALLY WELL + play D or do you want the superstar who can't fit on every team.

In a lot of cases, I think Melo would fit, though. He definitely is a ball stopper, but if he plays with the right guys, it's not an issue. He doesn't stand there and dribble the ball, he gets to his spots and takes the shot. A team of good players would be getting him the ball when necessary and going elsewhere when not.

Melo is also no joke on the boards and he would fit as a 4 on some teams. He's not a great defender, though. Melo is highly underrated and I think he gets a cancer tag when he just had some tough luck with squads.

If you had a coach who was smart enough to find a way to incorporate Melo, I think he would fit on most teams. Most of the teams he wouldn't fit on would be teams with guys who liked to dribble the ball 10 times every possession. He'd def fit on GSW. If you took out Klay and replaced him with an average player and put Melo at the 3 or 4, that would still be a championship team.

-Smak

[QUOTE=Xiao Yao You;14838796]Freshman were generally the best players in the one and done era. That will be changing somewhat with the NIL. Carmelo playing well isn't a guy I want on my team. Every team would want Klay[/QUOTE]

Been watching college basketball since the early 2000s when Jameer Nelson and Delonte West went 30-0 or whatever.

Melo was the most talent having looking young player ive ever seen. I know lebron and Kobe skipped college but Melo looked even better than Wade in college. He was a super elite talent. I don't think his true talent showed itself due to circumstance in the NBA entertainment league.