Sunday, December 12, 2010

Carmelo a Knick??



I was looking around the Internets and noticed that Melo is telling the Nuggets that the only team he will sign with is the Knicks. I'm sure that a majority of Knicks fans are rejoicing about the idea of landing another max-contract player to put alongside Amare. On paper, you would think that getting another player like Melo just makes too much sense. Then again, people need to think about who the Knicks currently have, who they would give up and how their two alpha dogs will interact.

Chris Sheridan was speculating that the Knicks would have to give up Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, Eddy Curry's expiring contract and a number one pick. That is a boat load to give up for any player. I'm not saying that Danilo or Landry are as good as Carmelo but you can argue that they are young, have a lot of potential still and fit certain roles on a team that is playing well right now. Throw in an expiring contract and a draft pick, most likely from the Anthony Randolphy trade and you could be giving up a bit too much. I like Anthony's game but I have never loved it. He is a pure scorer and is rebounding a bit better but he isn't the type of player that makes his teammates better and he is never going to lock anybody down defensively. You have to think about all those pieces you would be giving up Knicks fans and also if Melo is worth it, especially when playing him with Amare.

You know how I feel about Amare in terms of rebounding and defense. He is also not a stellar passer. He is great on the run and spotting up on the hedge in the half court. Carmelo is great in the half court as well, spotting up in a very similar fashion. Who gets the ball on offensive sets? I think that Amare could coexist with a great player, he already has with Nash in Phoenix. Carmelo is not as selfless as Nash and I don't know if he could handle being second fiddle on some nights. It would be fun to watch but you could have a Lebron/Wade issue on the horizon.

Carmelo could help bring even more excitement back to the Garden. He could also cause a log jam in the half court on offense and the Knicks would still be lacking what they need most, somebody in the middle to cover up for Amare on the glass and on D. Carmelo certainly doesn't achieve either of these really and I honestly think money spent on somebody like Marc Gasol in the offseason may make more sense, especially if you have to give so much up. Buyer beware is all I say.

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