Lemur wrote:lmao. you're not only saying that Kawhi Leonard is better than Carmelo, but you also think Dwyane Wade, Tony Parker, and George are better than Melo and CP3?
Yes because they did so much better than him when they faced each other in the playoffs... oh wait...I forgot...he wasn't even in the playoffs.
First, you are REALLY overrating Kawhi. Put Kawhi on the Knicks last year with the same roster and same coach. The Knicks don't suddenly become a playoff team. In fact, they would lose a lot more games than they did with Melo.
That's speculative, you don't know how Knicks would fare with Leonard in them. In my opinion they would definitely be a better team defensively, his teammates would feel more like they play for a team and not playing so that one guy gets all the credit.
Sure, Kawhi is better defensively than Melo but Melo is better in nearly every other aspect. He is a much better shooter, better rebounder, and averaged more assists.
You're quick to point out stats when it helps you validate your point, but you ommit stats when it doesn't. Kawhi has 52.2 FG percentage and Carmelo Anthony has 45%. Carmelo has a slightly better 3pt percentage (40% vs 38%). How does that make him a better shooter, please explain it to me. Does shooting more shots during a game make you a better shooter?
He has 1 more assist and 2 more rebounds per game but bear in mind he plays 10 more minutes average per game than Leonard. I think we're all aware how Popovich shares playing time between starters and bench for various reason (players get less tired during the season, bench players feel more involved etc).
Kawhi's rating is at max an 85. Averaging 13 points a season doesn't get you a 90 rating when only 4 players have 90+ ratings.
Making PPG the ultimate factor to measure a player's worth... well, I don't even want to reply to that. It kind of makes me aware that I'm in a video game forum and not in a basketball forum.
Second, Dwyane Wade is old. He disappeared in the playoffs last season and doesn't have the athleticism he had in his prime. Max for him is probably mid-high 80s.
You know who else disappeard from the playoffs...Carmello Anthony.

Third, CP3 is the best PG in the league. Tony Parker is great, probably the 2nd best, but if CP3 doesn't get a rating above a 90 then TP doesn't either.
That's a valid point, but it goes down to personal opinion I think.
And finally, Paul George. He was pretty mediocre this season. Definitely not better than Melo. IMO his rating should be about the same as Kawhi's, maybe slightly higher.
Paul George is not as quick or as good a defender as Kawhi is.
Just so you know man, no hard feelings, I enjoy a good debate.