I dont think playing melee now will make you worse. for example, sure after playing melee for god knows how long then switching to SSB64 makes me play worse at first, but after 2 or 3 matches I get back into my old groove and remember what is good vs what is bad in comparison to melee. plus many new things I learned in melee carry over to all fighting games so I actually have been getting better at both games as a result.
edit: I think the easiest way to break any habits w/ melee would be to use a new controler. for me, something about the physical layout of the controler relates to games and how I play them more than my mentality of what is good to do vs what is bad. I took a hit and decided to go get the classic controler, I hope the investment was worthwhile
also I dont see on what grounds any of you are claiming that brawl will be bad for competitive gaming. with melee being excellent for advanced level of play you could never really know. no one will really know AT LEAST until a year after brawl has been out. that goes for all fighting games really. I couldn't say SF4 will be bad for competitive gaming just because right now there seems to be cancels for every move there is.
I'm sure plenty of people thought melee would never reach a level of play equal to something like pro level in MvC2 yet I would say it most definitely has. really you all aren't giving the game a chance and it hasn't even come out yet.
@boba - if money is your incentive to come out I'll do a $20 money match with you ($20 is enough to get you to come out right?). plus next tourney for melee will be $1 entry.
@sint - dont get too cockey! what if I win next tourney singles AND teams? also yes I will still have to beg you to come lol.