Klay Thompson vs. Carmelo Anthony

[Im Still Ballin]

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?

[Im Still Ballin]

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

[SouBeachTalents]

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.

[RRR3]

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.

Incoming PeroAntic meltdown

[Full Court]

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.

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

[Xiao Yao You]

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

[SouBeachTalents]

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

How the fck do you bring LeBron into this? Absolutely deranged

[tontoz]

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.

[Phoenix]

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.

[HoopsNY]

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.

[ArbitraryWater]

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.

[BigShotBob]

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.

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

[ArbitraryWater]

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

the WCF, in 2016.

[SaltyMeatballs]

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

[SaltyMeatballs]

How the fck do you bring LeBron into this? Absolutely deranged

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