Ranking the best NBA small forwards, summer of 2011

[QUOTE=28renyoy]Score, play defense, play off the ball, better intangibles. They're equal passers/rebounders and Melo has better ball security.

Durant is clearly the better player.[/quote]

That is all subjective as hell.

You're arguing Durant is a better scorer when his numbers this past season are identical to Melo's.

Durant is better off the ball because he runs off of screens to take nearly 1/3 of his shots. Melo doesnt need screens, he isolates on the wing and takes his man 1 on 1. Its like blaming Kobe for not being better when playing off the ball than Ray Allen.

What intangibles are these btw? Carmelo has been a winner his entire life/career and has been the guy who carries his team in the clutch. What does Durant have other than scoring numbers? He never even won a state title in high school.

[quote]Anyone actually trying to argue Melo>Durant as a scorer is an idiot. Melo put up far inferior numbers on a run-n-gun offensive team.[/QUOTE]
:oldlol:

Melo puts up inferior numbers when playing on a team that had multiple guys looking for touches. Now you swap out 5 guys in Denver looking for the ball with another high scoring Forward & a shoot first PG. Durant & Westbrook together account for about 2/3 of OKC's offense on a bad night.

[QUOTE]
[B]You're arguing Durant is a better scorer when his numbers this past season are identical to Melo's.
[/B][/QUOTE]

Durant led the league averaging 27.7 ppg on 19.7 FGA 58.9 TS% this past season
Durant led the playoffs averaging 28.6 ppg on 20.3 FGA 58.2 TS% this past season

Melo averaged 25.6 ppg on 19.5 FGA 55.7 TS% this past season
Melo averaged 26.0 ppg on 22.0 FGA 50.5 TS% in the playoffs this past season

Obviously the numbers from this past season are identical :roll:


[QUOTE]Durant is better off the ball because he runs off of screens to take nearly 1/3 of his shots. Melo doesnt need screens, he isolates on the wing and takes his man 1 on 1. Its like blaming Kobe for not being better when playing off the ball than Ray Allen.[/QUOTE]

So you're arguing style>output? Good thing you don't coach a team

Melo these past 2 seasons-26.8/7/3 on 20.7 FGA 48.25 eFG% 55.25 TS%

Durant these past 2 seasons 29.1/7.2/2.8 on 19.9 FGA 51.2 eFG% 59.8 TS%

[QUOTE]Carmelo has been a winner his entire life/career and has been the guy who carries his team in the clutch.
[/QUOTE]

Durant won as many playoff series last season as Carmelo has won in his entire career


[QUOTE]Melo puts up inferior numbers when playing on a team that had multiple guys looking for touches. Now you swap out 5 guys in Denver looking for the ball with another high scoring Forward & a shoot first PG. Durant & Westbrook together account for about 2/3 of OKC's offense on a bad night.[/QUOTE]

Over the past 2 years, Melo has averaged more FGA than Durant while scoring nearly 3 less ppg on far inferior efficiency. Yes, clearly touches is what puts them apart.

[QUOTE=28renyoy]LOL @ this garbage

Apparently 27.7 on 46.2 FG% while taking 5.3 3's a game=25.6 on 45.5 FG% while taking 3.3 3's per game.[/quote]

Apparently shooting 42% from 3 on 4.2 3's a game is superior to a guy shooting 35% from 3 on 5.3 attempts.

[quote]
Durant is EASILY more efficient, while scoring 2 more ppg. God you're such a joke.[/quote]

Based on what?

You're the ****ing idiot saying Durant is a better shooter than when looking at pure stats saying Durant has it tougher to score.

[quote]As for clutch scoring, I believe that is a part of total game stats kid. Not that it matters because Durant still scored more points in the final 5 minutes of 5 or fewer point games.[/QUOTE]

& Clutch stats clearly point to shots in the last 10-30 seconds in a close game as I clearly mentioned Melo will carry you in the 4th quarter then bury the game winner.

Durant shoots 2-11 in those situations.
Melo is 4-6.

Sounds like Durant has a case of LeBrickitis

In terms of Durant scoring more in "Clutch" time than Melo.

Over 48 minutes, Melo averages the same number of FG attempts but shoots 45% compared while Durant shoots 40%. The only reason Durant scores more is due to getting to the FT line thanks to his superstar calls.

[QUOTE=28renyoy]
So you're arguing style>output? Good thing you don't coach a team

Over the past 2 years, Melo has averaged more FGA than Durant while scoring nearly 3 less ppg on far inferior efficiency. Yes, clearly touches is what puts them apart.[/QUOTE]
If you ever watched Anthony play, then you would know that he is the motor of the Knick's offense, especially under D'Antoni's system. It's not like Anthony tries to play "stylishly", but rather he has to in order to create his own offense. Under the Thunder's system, Durant is able to score much more efficiently thanks to the pick and roll offense he does with Westbrook. I'm sure Anthony is able to catch and shoot when shooting off screens, but the system he works under seldom gives him the chance to do so. Anthony has to carry his team himself; thus, he has to attempt more shots, even when he doesn't like to. How often do you see Durant play iso? Not as much as Anthony, for sure.

I'm done arguing with homers. 90% of unbiased posters at realgm, which is 10X the size of insidehoops, believe Durant is clearly superior to Anthony.

Stats back it up. Majority opinion backs it up. What else is there?

[QUOTE=28renyoy]Durant led the league averaging 27.7 ppg on 19.7 FGA 58.9 TS% this past season
Durant led the playoffs averaging 28.6 ppg on 20.3 FGA 58.2 TS% this past season

Melo averaged 25.6 ppg on 19.5 FGA 55.7 TS% this past season
Melo averaged 26.0 ppg on 22.0 FGA 50.5 TS% in the playoffs this past season[/quote]
& the TS% doesnt mean much in this comparison considering the difference in how Melo & Durant get their points. Obviously a guy who spends the game spotting up & getting his shots off of screens will have a higher TS% than a player like Melo who gets his points off of isolations.

Once again, a guy like Ray Allen carries a higher TS% than Kobe simply due to the shot opportunities he gets while Kobe creates his own shot opportunities.

btw Melo plays on an inferior team and only played 4 games in the Playoffs.

Thats such a great stat to go off of, how about we look at what happened to Durant last year against the Lakers. :roll: :roll:

Scoring champ turned 35% FG shooter.








[quote]Durant won as many playoff series last season as Carmelo has won in his entire career




Over the past 2 years, Melo has averaged more FGA than Durant while scoring nearly 3 less ppg on far inferior efficiency. Yes, clearly touches is what puts them apart.[/QUOTE]

The reason being Durant's OKC team is superior to any team Melo has been on.

& Durant makes up the 3 PPG difference due to the previous season in which he got to the line far more times than Melo did.

btw we've talked about efficiency previously.

[QUOTE=28renyoy]I'm done arguing with homers. 90% of unbiased posters at realgm, which is 10X the size of insidehoops, believe Durant is clearly superior to Anthony.

Stats back it up. Majority opinion backs it up. What else is there?[/QUOTE]

Then go back to RealGM and get the **** off our site you phagghot

Why do you even argue with joyner ?

He is the biggest Durant homer out there. Who knows,maybe we have mama Durant on ISH :oldlol:

Lebron is #1

after that comes K.D , Paul Pierce , Mello ...

Lebron
Melo/Durant
Melo/Durant
Pierce
Gay
Granger
Deng
Wallace

1 lebron
2 durant
3 anthony
4 gay
5 deng
6 pierce
7 wallace
8 granger
9 marion
10 beasley

[QUOTE=28renyoy]The Knick/Melo homers are out of control


Durant has more accolades, better career stats, better single season stats, better playoff stats, better career playoff stats, better playoff record, yet they still rank Melo ahead. What a joke.[/QUOTE]

stats stats stats stats stats stats stats

I said in my original list, I'm waiting to hear a justification of Kevin Durant being better than Carmelo Anthony that's not based all on numbers and TS%, because while stuff like that is useful, it doesn't paint the whole picture. Anyway, Melo's TS% went up significantly in New York when he started playing off the ball more, taking more threes, and not creating as many isolation shots as he did in Denver. It just goes to show you that TS% can have a lot more to do with a player's role than his actual ability.

You have to look at how they get their points, Melo can create for himself anywhere on the floor whereas Durant usually shoots off of high screens. This means that if the team finds itself in a situation where it needs a couple of basketballs in the fourth, you can count on Melo to create a midrange shot for himself while there's a good chance Durant is being forced away from the three point line off the ball.

I also love the myth that Durant is better at defense, rebounding, and "intangibles" than Carmelo. They're both pretty good rebounders for their position, but Melo is much better for his height and I would say better overall. Neither of them are great defenders, but Melo is actually a pretty good man-to-man defender. I guess Durant is a better help and team defender because Melo's awful at that.

I know it's pointless arguing with you because you're the biggest Durant homer alive, I just want to have my say anyway.

you guys should check NBA Rankings Before posting non-sense :D melo did nothing comparing to pierce ...

[QUOTE=Da Heroic One]1. Lebron James
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Kevin Durant
4. Paul Pierce
5. Luol Deng[/QUOTE]

I've watched damn every Bulls game in the last 2 years or so and i know for a fact that Deng isnt better than Danny Granger and Crash. Even though the Bulls won the series in the playoffs but Granger was tearing Luol Deng apart in that series.

LeBron James
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony
Paul Pierce
Danny Granger
Gerald Wallace
Rudy Gay
Stephen Jackson
Andre Iguodala
Luol Deng

lbj
durant ( because basketball is a 5on5 game, not 1on1 game ........produces more)
melo
rudy
pierce
gerald wallace
iggy
granger
marion
deng

[QUOTE=Bigsmoke]I've watched damn every Bulls game in the last 2 years or so and i know for a fact that Deng isnt better than Danny Granger and Crash. Even though the Bulls won the series in the playoffs but Granger was tearing Luol Deng apart in that series.[/QUOTE]
Deng is better than Crash, maybe not Granger.

I didn't realize how deep the small forward position is..

I don't care about stats.
But I think that Durant will be way more dominant than Melo throughout his career.
And I like Melo a lot (especially as a Knicks fan :D)... It's just two different leagues.

Without reading the replies I can guess that probably the thread has turned into a Durant Vs Melo argument with Joyner in the center.

[QUOTE=Jasi]I don't care about stats.
But I think that Durant will be way more dominant than Melo throughout his career.
And I like Melo a lot (especially as a Knicks fan :D)... It's just two different leagues.[/QUOTE]


Offtopic whose that guy in your avatar?

[QUOTE=CeltsGarlic]Offtopic whose that guy in your avatar?[/QUOTE]

Janne Sibelius, a Finnish composer of the late classical period

yeah I know, it's a mess... an Italian guy writing on an American forum with the username of a Lithuanian player and the avy of a Finnish musician :D

1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Rudy Gay
6. Danny Granger
7. Stephen Jackson
8. Shawn Marion
9. Luol Deng
10. Gerald Wallace

-It gets messy after #7 for me.

-I don't blame people for having Rudy Gay so low on their lists. After all the Grizzlies did almost made it to the WCF without him.

-I would have no problem of one thinks either Durant or Melo are better than the other. Melo is the more talented one, but Durant is the much harder working one. If Durant isn't better than Melo now, then there is no question in my mind that Durant will be the better player next year or in the next couple.

I certainly prefer Melo's scoring over Durant's due to his post-up ability and his variety of moves. Durant is limited with his scoring moves. There really is no question in my mind that Durant will add moves in the upcoming future. I have confidence in him because he is one of the hardest workers I have ever heard and seen in the NBA. One of the few stars that does NOT take advantage of his stardom.

They are pretty much even in every other department except defense. I think Durant has the edge there.

Simply put, I prefer Melo's game, but I prefer Durant's personality and I would have no issue if one puts Melo above Durant or vice versa.

1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Andre Iguodala
6. Danny Granger
7. Rudy Gay
8. Luol Deng
9. Gerald Wallace
10. Shawn Marion.

Despite all the hate LeBron's getting, you can't deny that he's the best all around guy on this list.

[QUOTE=Da Heroic One]Deng is better than Crash, maybe not Granger.[/QUOTE]

Wallace has a better overall game.

better defender, rebounder, finisher, ect.

hell.. what makes Deng better anyway? :confusedshrug: Deng is only better @ shooting the three ball.

[QUOTE=Da Heroic One]1. Lebron James
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Kevin Durant
4. Paul Pierce
5. Luol Deng[/QUOTE]
Perfect list.

[QUOTE=Bigsmoke]Wallace has a better overall game.

better defender, rebounder, finisher, ect.

hell.. what makes Deng better anyway? :confusedshrug: Deng is only better @ shooting the three ball.[/QUOTE]
Deng is a better on-ball defender, scorer, and finisher. Wallace wasn't able to be that 2nd option for the Blazers to overcome the Mavericks. Using your logic though, shouldn't Wallace be ranked higher than Pierce?

[QUOTE=Eat Like A Bosh]1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Andre Iguodala
6. Danny Granger
7. Rudy Gay
8. Luol Deng
9. Gerald Wallace
10. Shawn Marion.

Despite all the hate LeBron's getting, you can't deny that he's the best all around guy on this list.[/QUOTE]
+1

1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Danny Granger
6. Andre Iguodala
7. Gerald Wallace
8. Rudy Gay
9. Stephen Jackson
10. Derrick Williams

[QUOTE=KGMN]1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony
4. Paul Pierce
5. Danny Granger
6. Andre Iguodala
7. Gerald Wallace
8. Rudy Gay
9. Stephen Jackson
10. Derrick Williams[/QUOTE]


Damn Williams hasn't even played a game yet and you have him on your list....

For next season

1.Lebron James
2.Kevin Durant
3.Carmelo Anthony
4.Rudy Gay
5.Michael Beasley (mark my words..Beasley is gonna be on everyone's top 10 list next season)
6.Paul Pierce/Gerald Wallace
8.Andre Iguadala/Luol Deng

Btw Danny Granger is getting vastly overrated these days SMH

[QUOTE=dunksby]Without reading the replies I can guess that probably the thread has turned into a Durant Vs Melo argument with Joyner in the center.[/QUOTE]

Not really. It was basically 5 or 6 Knicks fans putting Melo ahead of Durant while everyone else on the forum lol'd

[QUOTE=8BeastlyXOIAD]Damn Williams hasn't even played a game yet and you have him on your list....

For next season

1.Lebron James
2.Kevin Durant
3.Carmelo Anthony
4.Rudy Gay
5.Michael Beasley (mark my words..Beasley is gonna be on everyone's top 10 list next season)
6.Paul Pierce/Gerald Wallace
8.Andre Iguadala/Luol Deng

Btw Danny Granger is getting vastly overrated these days SMH[/QUOTE]

You know I'm a Wolves fan and I want a Timberwolf on this list.

[QUOTE=Da Heroic One]Deng is a better on-ball defender, scorer, and finisher. [B]Wallace wasn't able to be that 2nd option for the Blazers to overcome the Mavericks. [/B]Using your logic though, shouldn't Wallace be ranked higher than Pierce?[/QUOTE]


same way deng wasnt able to step up as a second option in chicago's series against miami

1. LeBron
2. Durant
3. Melo
4. Pierce
5. Iggy
6. Granger
7. Gay
8. Wallace
9. Deng
10. S-Jax


What do I win?

[QUOTE=28renyoy]The Knick/Melo homers are out of control


Durant has more accolades, better career stats, better single season stats, better playoff stats, better career playoff stats, better playoff record, yet they still rank Melo ahead. What a joke.[/QUOTE]

because of the 11-1 record. melo is a winner while durant? i dont know

I laugh my ass of to people that put Granger over Rudy in their list. Rly?

1. Lebron James
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Kevin Durant
4. Paul Pierce
5. Danny Granger

The real top 10 is

1. LeBron
2. Durant
3. Carmelo
4. Pierce
5. Gay
6. Granger
7. Wallace
8. Deng
9. Prince
10. Chandler

[QUOTE=28renyoy]The real top 10 is

1. LeBron
2. Durant
3. Carmelo
4. Pierce
5. Gay
6. Granger
7. Wallace
8. Deng
9. Prince
[B]10. Chandler[/B][/QUOTE]

:oldlol:

[QUOTE=Jasi]:oldlol:[/QUOTE]

I don't consider Gallo a SF and he's better than Marion