Most people here seem to think Carmelo Anthony sucks for being all offense (even if he’s top 3 in the NBA at scoring and scoring ability), but a lot of people here seem to think Monta Ellis is really good for being all offense, and he’s not anywhere near the ability of a Carmelo Anthony.

I think it’s because Monta is smaller, is newer, and doesn’t have the hype of a Melo. In reality though, when Golden State makes him the dude they build around, they’re just dooming themselves to mediocrity. He isn’t very good at anything but scoring, and as a main player to build around you simply need more than that.

He isn’t a good shooter, isn’t even a good DRIBBLER for a guard, not a good playmaker or passer, and is a God-awful defender. He is extremely one dimensional, even if his one dimension is a fun one and he is efficient at scoring.

Basically, for those who love him, I think he’s way overrated. As a co-star, like Outlaw is for us, you can absorb his holes and let him score. As a main dude and possibly a PG, he’s lacking in many skills a good team needs.

I like the description of Bayless saying he’s the Thinking Man’s Monta Ellis. I won’t mind if he isn’t as good of a scorer as Monta of course, as long as he’s a decent playmaker/defender/shooter.

Mortimer

I just don’t think he does anything but score, which we normally scorn when it is other players.

He’s a horrible defender, bad passer, not a good dribbler for a PG, and doesn’t create for others. He is incredibly efficient scoring, though, and can penetrate at will.

He doesn’t have a lot of natural gifts that would make him more than a scorer; at least he hasn’t developed them. I am generally against SGs who are short so they have to play PG but have no PG ability. THAT’s the problem with Monta…

If he’s your co-star scorer, it’s cool. But he doesn’t have a complete enough game to be a franchise dude. That’s like us giving Z-Bo ‘cornerstone’ status because he averages 20/10 with a good percentage. Monta is much more talented, but he’s too one-dimensional and is pretty bad at the important things he is bad at.

He could learn, but it’s a lot more likely he’ll never have PG skills, than he’ll suddenly blossom into a creator.

Drexler wasn’t a great ballhandler, but he was a really good passer and playmaker, plus a great defender. Monta rates pretty poor in all of those areas. Offensively though, he’s awesome and could be a 25+ scorer for YEARS. But the rest of his game won’t win you much over time, as is. He’s young though…

Mortimer

"He is only the ninth guard in NBA history to shoot at least 60 percent from the field in a single month after making 60.2 percent of his shots."

I know that a serious achievement, but this just reminds me way too much when media/fans in baseball come up with a random stat that highlights a brightspot of a baseball players performance.

“We need to trade for Monty Ellisburger! He has the most RBI’s ever against left handers with runners at 3rd base in the 6th inning in the month of July”

Not trying to discount the achievement, just wanted to give a tongue-and-cheek example of what it reminds me of.

But Monta REALLY reminds me of Steve Francis. His elite athleticism and mad hops carried the guy to the top, and once they failed, left him tumbling back down the mountain.

I love Monta’s game, he’s fun to watch, but I would NOT give up LMA for him and I can’t imagine there are many NBA GM’s who would. McHale maybe…....Isaiah in his prime.