I'll take a stab at responding to Sam's posts about Melo on the Pistons... (actaully what he posted at detnews)

The only thing that stays the same is something that's stale or dead. Stop using the same old tired arguments, and start thinking. I got this lecture from G/man, who challenged all of us vets years ago to raise our game, and stop thinking that if we said it, it was true

I agree with that although the classic topic of stale arguments in the past is the "shoulda took Melo" theme. We're all draft genius' a couple years after the draft.

. Melo is at least 3 times the player Prince is, and the perfect fit for this club. Let's examine a few of the reasons why.
Melo isn't only capable of 30 point games, he's capable of 40-50 point games on a more than blue moon basis. Simply put, Melo is close to a first tier star, while Prince is a 2nd tier star.

True. Carmelo has scored 45 points a couple of times at least but "3 times the player"? That's a bit of subjective hyperbole that is impossible to back up with facts...mostly because it's hard to prove a negative. What exactly does it mean to be three times the player?

Melo is a better shooter than Prince, and a better scorer. He has the one thing we've lacked since Joe got here, a player with a low post game that can't be stopped. Melo will get the score, or like Stack, get to the line, but unlike Stack, more reliably. Of course, if you don't see the value in being dominant down low, you probably discount what this brings to the team.

True. Hindsight is 20/20 for sure. He has even started getting credit for toughness. Remember the game when he got kneed in the face by Eduardo Najera in overtime and came back to play with some cotton stuffed up his nose?
But are there things that Prince gives us that Melo wouldn't?
Versatility

Nice to have a guy that can step in and play point guard if needed.

No Max Contract

Tayshaun's not going to break the bank

Team player

Look at 82games.com and you will see the Pistons +13.4 when Prince is on the court and minus 3.4 when he is off.
Nuggets are -.3 when Melo is on the court and +7.1 when he is off the court.

Also look at the Player Plus/Minus Stats (Last 30 Days). The top 30 players include the 5 Pistons starters in the top 8 and Prince at number 8. Anthony didn't make the top 30.

Prince and Rasheed also lead in Player pair stats at 82games.com.

Now Sam show some stats to back up your subjective musings.

Yea, I noticed that a few weeks ago. Melo is the only "superstar" in the league that makes his team that much worse. He has the lowest overall +/- of anyone on his team (Excluding Nene, who has played all season). It really is hard to grasp what that exactly means unless you see the same player in a few different situations doing the same thing though.

Carmelo is a better player than Tay. Even though Prince has the ring and has accomplished much more in his career, he just doesn't have the selfishness needed to be a superstar.

Although, I do wonder how any knowledgable fan can call Melo a better shooter than Tay. I'd like to see those facts.

We dont need Tay to be a super star. We need him to keep improving (which he has) stay as good defensivley as he is, and make other teams respect his o enough to make it hard for the other team to double our guards.

Tay might not be as good as melo on offense but he is hands down the better defender. Melo has a better post game but he hates to play in the post. Melo would rather be a chucker than a banger.

Tay has done whatever is asked of him from guarding the leagues best scorers (Kobe Dwade even A.I.) and never complained lets see melo go a whole season and not complain.

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" Either you play with a sense of urgency, or you will be leaving. It's that simple." Joe Dumars
Ok Joe it's time to prove it!!!!!!

tayshaun does a lot of little stuff along with ben wallace to make this team win. it may not seem like it but i think that this team wouldn't be champions without tayshaun. melo is very great though, but tayshaun is way more suited for the pistons.

Exactly right,
altered shots... long armed deflections...handling the ball to help out the gaurds... tipped balls etc... a lot of effort plays that Melo isn't interested in.

Melo is certainly more gifted in the post and can command a double... I think he may also learn to be more of a team player (you can get more assists if you have the ball in your hands too much).

I think Tay is much like Rashard Lewis a couple years back... he will gain more strength which will improve his inside play... I still think Tay could be a superstar on a lotto team.

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With politicians the future lies ahead

If memory serves (and it might not be serving), I think the Clipps had two 1st round picks that year, or maybe a high 2nd rounder. Hype is a mutha! I'd trade Darko for Kaman straight up right now. Kaman may not be the "shot blocker" Darko is but he does everything else MUCH better. He is simply a much better player period. Plus he's home grown!

Ahhhh, what I wouldn't do for a "Do-Over" draft!

Would Melo have made this game-saving play (game 2, 2004 playoffs)? I rest my case.

amen brother amen

Would it really have mattered if we had Carmelo Anthony blowing them out offensively?

Nah...I'd still rather have Tay

Carmelo is two thumbs definately down in my books.