I see one guy playing a role in 50 games and one guy dominating a playoff team’s offense in 81 games.

So the difference between a role player and a dominant offensive player is 17 FGA/36 to 19.2. Are you serious?

We continue to diverge in the evaluation of high usage players, that will probably never change.

You obviously struggle with the definition of “high usage player” if you think that Jabari Parker’s 26.5 USG% isn’t high. Removing players <1000 MP that season, he ranked 31st in FGA/100, just after role player LeBron and before role player Kevin Durant. He also shot more FGA per possession than famed role players Kristaps Porzingis, Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokoumpo and Blake Griffin.

I noticed that your favorite stats du jour BPM and VORP (not to mention WS48 and PER) significantly favor Melo in that year.

They slightly favor Melo (VORP is not rate-adjusted and PER is a total joke), but their ORtgs are the same. Most of this value is from the league average shooting efficiency between lower in 2006 than 2017 (.536 vs. .552). Not a huge jump, but the combination of better-than-average TS% and slightly higher usage means Carmelo was a more valuable offensive player, on the whole. This is not LeBron vs. Joe Johnson, here.

But I did specifically say prime Melo.

Which is why I posted the best comparison we have, as there’s nothing fair about putting Carmelo’s age-28 (or whatever) season against a 21-year-old’s. Their games are remarkably similar, adjusting for age.

Z-man, when you look at this comparison, do you see a significant value difference between the two players?

[He] is on another level from his peers, skill wise … Very strong, bulky forward with elite level face up game for his age … An underrated athlete; plays a smooth, if not overpowering brand of ball, and is more likely to muscle through opponents than blow by them … Possesses very good hands … Shows the ability to grasp nuances of the game … Has a passion for basketball, and this comes out in his play … A la Paul Pierce, is especially good at step back jumper, and can do it in both directions … Creates a ton of separation with his step back … Can go to work in the post, especially against smaller and weaker defenders … Will likely be developed as a small forward in the NBA, where he will immediately become one of the largest and strongest at this position … Work ethic is phenomenal … Really wants to be a leader; wants to be great … Even in high school, practiced with the focus of a pro … Has been a winner every step of the way of his career; won four straight titles in high school … Can create for teammates thanks to his high basketball IQ and overall play making ability … Commands so much attention from opposing defenses that teammates will find themselves with more opportunities to receive the ball in a position to score with him on the floor … Can finish with both hands around the hoop … Solid, but not great ability to knock down the NBA 3-ball … Had some impressive dunks in his freshman season, which proved that he does possess the hops and explosiveness that he often does not get credit for … Also showed surprising body control and ball handling, weaving through defenders for finishes at the rim in the open floor …

Link

Also yes, a version of Jabari Parker that never tore an ACL (he had ACL surgery twice as a pro) and shoots like Tobias Harris would be a franchise piece in today’s NBA.

Funny thing is, those guys even if healthy could never carry prime Melo’s jock, which isn’t a compliment to prime Melo. Harris has a career 21% usage. Melo’s low during his prime was 30.2%. We’ll never know about Parker, but he doesn’t seem to think conditioning (or defense) is all that important. Pretty sad attitude for someone with bad knees.

In his prime, Melo would have been a great 3rd best player on a contender, maybe even a decent 2nd best player (but probably not). He could not ever, ever have been the best player, since that would require a b-ball IQ that he never had and never will, and would suggest that every other player on the team was not all that good.