Carmelo is a better scorer, shooter, clutch player, and their defense is about even. The only thing held against Carmelo was that he didn't have an MVP and he only passed the 1st round once. Well no one is talking about teams vs teams. When Carmelo did have a championship level team, he did succeed. I'm talking about player vs player. Head to head Carmelo always destroys Lebron
Except he's not a better scorer.
LeBron scores more points, scores those points more efficiently (better eFG% and TS%). Besides scoring LeBron is a better defender, a better rebounder, and a far better passer.
All you're left with is the idea that Carmelo is a better "clutch" (however you choose to define it I'm guessing subjectively) player, and Carmelo is a slightly better three point shooter and free throw shooter.
Head to Head LeBron has also outperformed Carmelo (team record is essentially even 11-10):
http://bkref.com/tiny/TsgDN
I agree with you on the head to head. But you know those stats are for how many Lebron scored whether Carmelo guarded him or not, right? Someone posted what other point guards scored against Rondo to try to prove Rondo was a bad defender, and everyone said thats not a good way to judge that
But the stats doesn't mean anything when you talking about SCORING ABILITY. Its obvious Carmelo is better
Post moves in the paint: Carmelo is better
3 point shot: Carmelo is better
17 ft shot: Carmelo is better
One on one: Carmelo is better
Cutting: Lebron
You can look in at stats all day. But we all know Carmelo is a better 4th quarter clutch scorer
And for Lebron's overrated defense, tell Jason Terry how good Lebron's defense was in the 2011 NBA Finals