The Knicks did it. They finally got Carmelo Anthony. And Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter and Shelden Williams and Corey Brewer. Oh, and they get Renaldo Balkman back too. Who'd they get rid of? Well, finally Eddy Curry's fat contract, but also Anthony Randolph, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, and Raymond Felton. Curry and Randolph go to Minnesota while the balance of the players end up in the Mile High City. On paper, it looks okay... I guess. Why then do I still have this bad taste in my mouth? Growing up in upstate New York sort of makes me a de facto Knicks fan, and frankly, I can't really say I like this trade, any of it.
Do I think Melo is a bad player? No. Do I think Melo won't help the Knicks? No. But to be honest, I don't see Melo making a big difference. Sure I can make this team on my Playstation, average 36 and 28 ppg respectively with Amar'e and Melo and then go undefeated and win championships, but this isn't a video game. The Knicks didn't really need Melo and Melo honestly didn't need the Knicks, from a pure basketball perspective (I know there are other factors). I could be proven wrong, maybe Melo will learn to pass, Billups and Amar'e run a super effective pick and roll, but instinctively, I want to flinch at this trigger happy trade. Yes, we've been talking about this the whole year, but I can't help but think the Knicks gunned it a little too fast on the green light. First, let's consider the pre-Melo Knicks:
PG - Raymond Felton, Toney Douglas
SG - Landry Fields, Bill Walker
SF - Danilo Gallinari, Shawne Williams
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, Wilson Chandler
C - Ronny Turiaf, Timofey Mozgov
With Kelenna Azubuike still out with a bum knee, players like Bill Walker and Shawne Williams have stepped up admirably, so they've been getting by admirably. The Knicks were a decent team, but not one that could get over the top, so here's what happens after the trade:
PG - Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter
SG - Landry Fields, Corey Brewer
SF - Carmelo Anthony, Shawne Williams
PF - Amar'e Stoudemire, Renaldo Balkman
C - Ronny Turiaf, Shelden Williams
While Melo is the obvious upgrade over Gallo, but Billups and Balkman are both steps down from Felton and Chandler respectively. Additionally, there's no guarantee that Brewer will be a more positive contributor than either Walker or Williams (who are both still on the team) or if he'll even play if/when Azubuike gets back. Furthermore, as productive as Shelden Williams has been, he's no center, and he won't compensate for the lack of defense provided by Melo and Amar'e.
Honestly, it's not that I don't think Amar'e and Melo won't work, but rather that it won't work as effectively as people might surmise. Both can score, but both require more isolation sets to do so. However, that being said, these are two of the most respected players offensively in the entire world. They have a decent core, but any core with Chauncey Billups as a major cog leaves the window very short, and frankly, even in his prime, I don't know Billups could've made up the difference that is between a Melo/Amar'e combination and the remaining elite teams of the league. Of course, Billups did say earlier that if he got traded he may retire, which may be a good thing for New York, not in the short term, but perhaps it means they can go after something they need in free agency. Frankly, all in all, New York got its big name, but is it going to put them over the top? Not really. Seriously though, Melo, prove me wrong. Please.
Pelicans advance, finish 6-0 on season vs. Kings
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