6th Annual SI Player Rankings: #5 SF

[RipCity32]

We will be starting our 6th annual SI player rankings.  
 
Don't be afraid to share your opinion, whether it's a popular one or not.  We will once again be going 10 spots deep at all 5 positions.
 
Please remember these two things, please vote on the polls and vote for the best player, don't be a homer.  Most of the polls will be open 24 hours, but if the first place vote getter gets 5 or more votes than the second vote getter than I will close the thread if I'm around. 
 
 
Remember, this is based on who is currently the best player, not who has the potential to be the best.  Who would you take today?
 
2016 SI SF Rankings
1) LeBron James
2) Kevin Durant
3) Kawhi Leonard
4) Paul George
5) 
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
 
2015 SI SF Rankings

 
2014 SI SF Rankings

 
2013 SI SF Rankings

 
2012 SI SF Rankings

 
2011 SI SF Rankings

 

[RipCity32]

melo

 

[Boogie]

Rudy

 

[bosoxlover12]

Rudy

smh

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Gordon Hayward. I can't see any reason to take Melo over him.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Except for the fact that one guy used to be an elite player, of course.

 

[Pugz]

melo is not the player he was.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

melo is not the player he was.

He really isn't. You can think of really simply.

Who's the better scorer?
Who's the better passer?
Who's the better defender?
Who's the better rebounder?

Etc. I mean Gordon is more efficient and is a very good scorer, he's a better and more willing passer, he's definitely the better defender. He's going to play hard every night and not just when he feels like it, etc.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

He really isn't. You can think of really simply.

Who's the better scorer?
Who's the better passer?
Who's the better defender?
Who's the better rebounder?

Etc. I mean Gordon is more efficient and is a very good scorer, he's a better and more willing passer, he's definitely the better defender. He's going to play hard every night and not just when he feels like it, etc.

 
Eh I think you're overstating a lot of those. No one is taking Hayward over Melo as a scorer, period. Melo had better assist numbers than Hayward this season AND better rebounding numbers. Like where are you even getting those two?

 

[bosoxlover12]

He really isn't. You can think of really simply.

Who's the better scorer?
Who's the better passer?
Who's the better defender?
Who's the better rebounder?

Etc. I mean Gordon is more efficient and is a very good scorer, he's a better and more willing passer, he's definitely the better defender. He's going to play hard every night and not just when he feels like it, etc.

I would take Melo for every single category over Hayward, except maybe passing. He's definitely not the better scorer, and Melo's defense is incredibly underrated imo. Yeah Gordon is a more willing passer but that doesnt mean necessarily hes better. and melo is definitely the better rebounder

 

[jonathanlambert33]

 
Eh I think you're overstating a lot of those and asking questions. No one is taking Hayward over Melo as a scorer, period. Melo had better assist numbers than Hayward this season AND better rebounding numbers. Like where are you even getting those two?

I'm not overstating, just making points. Of course no one would say Hayward is a better scorer, but my point is we aren't talking about 28 year old Melo when he led the league in scoring, we are talking about 32 year old Melo who at this point in his career isn't THAT much better at scoring than Hayward. I know he had better assist numbers, but passing is a broad term. Melo doesn't care about defense 90% of the time and even when he does he's not a good defender. I think Gordon is more complete.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

My point is that in 3 of the 4 questions YOU brought up, Melo is better. So you answered exactly why people would vote for Melo

 

[jonathanlambert33]

I brought up those questions because they are simple to ask, like I put in the original post to Rob. Melo is obviously a better scorer and rebounder, though I'd heavily disagree that Melo is a better passer.

 

[bosoxlover12]

You don't take the inferior scoring SF because he's a better passer, especially when the defense is damn close and similar

For a PG? Sure. For a SF? Not a chance

 

[jonathanlambert33]

You don't take the inferior scoring SF because he's a better passer, especially when the defense is damn close and similar
For a PG? Sure. For a SF? Not a chance

The defense isn't anywhere near "damn close." Hayward was about as close to being a net positive defensively as you could be without actually being there, ranking inside the top half of the leagues SF's, while Melo was in the bottom 37% of all SF's.

Neither guy is a good defender, neither guy is taking a bottom dweller and making them league average, but Hayward is atleast adequate. Melo wasn't a good defender in his prime, and has certainly not added that aspect to his game in his later years.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

and I must admit, some of my decision has to do with you having no idea what you are going to get from Melo from night to night in terms of interest, focus, etc.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Thats funny, I'm taking Melo because he's the better basketball player

 

[Pugz]

gordon is a better team player. he would fit into almost any system, and still be able to excel. thats why i voted for him.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

Thats funny, I'm taking Melo because he's the better basketball player

I really don't think he is at this point in his career. Hayward is a more complete player, and for the reasons Rob said.

 

[jonathanlambert33]

To me, Melo is a scorer who doesn't give you much else, and has seen his percentages drop over the past few years.

He has gone from 17th amongst SF's in 12-13, 18th in 13-14, 36th in 14-15, to 38th in 15-16. He's a scorer who doesn't score all that efficiently.

On top of that you have to worry about whether he is interested in playing from night to night, whether he's willing to play within the offense or if he's just going to do his own thing, and so on. Not worth it.