NBA Basketball purists, please avert your eyes from this abomination

[UpAndComing]

 

[Don Homer]

the most "no, no, no. yes!" player since JR Smith

 

[who_better_than_me]

the most "no, no, no. yes!" player since JR Smith

Nah that’s still Russ

 

[Remote]

Yeah you take the 2 in this particular situation.
It worked out that he made the 3, but it wasn't the best play available.

People like to talk as if the math suggests that everyone shoots a 3 all the time. But it depends. If you have a clear lane to the rim....I don't know what that is...99% chance of making a layup/dunk? Versus 40% (best case scenario) of making the 3? You take the layup.

 

[Cladyclad]

Duran would put that shyt on glass or fouled the shyt out of him.

 

[TAYLONDO SAMSWORTHY]

This nikka is literally everything I hate about today’s NBA

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

I see nothing but a smart play here.

Melo doesn't play above-the-rim; he only has 7 dunks across 71 games this season.

Which begs the question - what could he possibly have done to get up a shot against two bigger, more athletic defenders right on his hip? Duren was all ready to jump and punch his shyt and since Melo is well aware of his own limtiations at the rim, the best course of action was to fake out both defenders and then find an open shot.

I get the critiques around his style of play that he plays too much, but he made the right decision on this possession.

 

[bigde09]

I see nothing but a smart play here.

Melo doesn't play above-the-rim; he only has 7 dunks across 71 games this season.

Which begs the question - what could he possibly have done to get up a shot against two bigger, more athletic defenders right on his hip? Duren was all ready to jump and punch his shyt and since Melo is well aware of his own limtiations at the rim, the best course of action was to fake out both defenders and then find an open shot.

I get the critiques around his style of play that he plays too much, but he made the right decision on this possession.

It’s like a bat signal any time someone criticizes your beloved league

 

[UpAndComing]

This nikka is literally everything I hate about today’s NBA

Stop your hating!!!

3 is better than 2!

 

[DonB90]

Watched most of the game until the 4th when it became a blowout.

Hornets are not a serious team and Melo is part of the reason for that.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

For anyone criticizing Melo, can someone point out where the wide open 2 was on this -

Since it's already been established he's not Ant where he can rise above the rim, what other possible option could he have taken on this possession? Attempt a layup with 6-10 Duren on one side and 6-8 Holland II on his other side (both of whom can jump out the gym)?

The only wide open shot that he was presented with on this possession was the 3.

 

[NotAHotep]

He wasn’t “open”. He more than likely would’ve gotten his shot blocked so opted for the better play. The open three.

Nice engagement bait, ESPN.

 

[Tribal Outkast]

I was at the game and we were like

Then he made the three and had us like

He really plays ball like he has no cares in the world. Like he be skipping singing la la la and shyt.

He’s earned his keep in Charlotte. That team is decent, they just revert back to what they were before going on this run.. they can score definitely… they just don’t play enough defense. They can shoot you out the gym if they’re on and your shots off. They have to figure out what to do with these top teams. Now Charlotte is in the play in. They better ball out for real now.

 

[badboys11]

That layup would've been ripped out the sky and lamelo would've went flying into the stands

He didn't go out like Iguodala/LeBron, he made the right call.

 

[UpNext]

Yeah Duren was ready to put that man on SportsCenter for all the wrong reasons lmao.

LaMelo is also underrated as a set shooter. Like in terms of in game wide open three making, dude gotta be top 10 on the planet.