AFTER a failed experiment the past season where Oklahoma hoped to make their big three version of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, the Thunder cleared about $100 million when Melo waived his no-trade clause, allowing the team to send him to Atlanta in a three-team deal with Philadelphia.
After clearing waivers and a contract buyout, Melo became a free agent. In his fourth team in less than a year, he was welcomed in Houston and inked a veteran’s minimum of $2.4 million for a year. But he still receives his $27.9-million salary next season. Yup, Melo gets $30.3 million this year when the new NBA season opens.
Reportedly, he is on a team that he really wanted to be in, with Chris Paul and James Harden actively campaigning for him to join them and of late had been working out with the two. Melo, now 34 years old, used to be a prolific scorer but last season was the first time in his career where he did not average at least 20 points per game. Despite the low numbers, he did hit a career-high 169 triples.
A reunion between Melo and Coach Mike D’Antoni is happening. They had their issues during their time with the New York Knicks and it would be interesting if broken fences would be mended this time. But as per coach MDA, he thinks Melo will fit into the Rockets’ system.
Their drama in New York probably started when the Knicks traded for Melo from Denver in 2012. Coach MDA was reportedly against getting him but management always have the last say. At the time New York was riding on the crest of the tidal wave called “Linsanity” starring Jeremy Lin. D’Antoni wanted Melo to move to power forward to enable Lin to continue the flow but the star had other ideas. It reached the point when Melo made management choose between him and coach. Well, D’Antoni resigned before the Knicks made a decision and Lin left the next season.
D’Antoni said Melo was a good guy, it was just that he wanted things this way and Melo wanted it that way. Maybe this time things would be different and they could finally agree.
The Houston Rockets will have more offensive firepower this time. CP3 is a pass-first point guard as compared to Westbrook who is more points-oriented and is stat conscious. Despite his infatuation with dribbling, Harden also has the ability to find the open man and this could suit Melo well.
As per D’Antoni, “We’ve got a team that is a whole bunch of veterans that really, we’ve got one thing in mind, and that’s to win a championship, and we have the possibility.” The possibility is sure there. They were just a win away from advancing to the NBA Finals last season.
The Rockets love the 3-point shot and, as per stat sheets, had attempted more 3-pointers than 2-pointers. They had also attempted at least 500 times more from behind the 3-point line than the next closest team. Melo, with his 35.7 percent conversion from the arc, is a good fit for Houston with their 36.2 percent as a team.
It has been 23 years since the Rockets had won the league championship and they hope that adding another star – although kind of losing its luster – will bring them back to glory.
Like Dwyane Wade, Melo must be open to a bench role. He must understand and realize that he is past his prime. He had started in all of his games but this time, he could be forced to come off the bench. The relationship between coach and player could well depend on acceptance of a player’s role. Only then can there be harmony and Melo-dy in Houston. Yup. And sing “Reunited” with feelings./PN
