Carmelo Anthony Leaving for NYC?: Why Knicks vs. Heat Will Be a Landslide
This article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
Who would have thought that Professional competitors would want to join their competition and concede defeat in order to win in the long run.
Now it seems that Carmelo Anthony has caught that bug and wants out of Denver.
According to the Denver post, The Denver Nuggets Organization is "planning its separation strategy..." with New York being the one and only viable option for the trading of Anthony.
Ever since Chris Paul made a toast at Carmelo's wedding, it seemed like one day the super trio of Amare Stoudemire, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony would eventually form in the city of dreams.
So what happens if the Nuggets actually do try and trade him?
Well, the idea is that the Nuggets don't want to be left with nothing. If Carmelo is planning on ditching them for the big city after next season, then the Nuggets are going to get something in return and try their best to not end the offseason like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But if the Knicks are going to get Carmelo, then they are going to need to give up everything and the kitchen sink.
Looking at the Knicks roster and their viable trade assets, it doesn't seem that the Knicks have a lot to offer.
Tony Douglas, Wilson Chandler, Bill Walker, Timofey Mozgov, Gallinari... everyone except for Eddie Curry. (Unless the Nuggets want him)
So what would be a viable trade for a disgruntled star?
Well the Knicks don't have any draft picks, so we can throw that out immediately.
The Nuggets would probably want a replacement small forward in return, so I am certain that the Knicks would throw in either Wilson Chandler or Danilo Gallinari.
If not both because they are still on their rookie contracts and are a very cheap replacement.
Toney Douglas would probably have to be thrown in too and I don't think that the Knicks would mind because they would be planning on getting Chris Paul after his contract and for the time being they have Felton to hold down the fort.
So right now we have Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Toney Douglas for Carmelo Anthony.
This is for the Knicks fans: If the Knicks throw in Bill Walker and Mozgov, would that be too much?
I'm not really sure what it takes to get a player like Carmelo.
Especially with the Knicks roster.
Basically the Knicks would be sending over an array of young role players in exchange for an All-Star in his prime.
Doesn't really seem like a fair trade.
But then again, the Nuggets just want to get something out of this Melo issue.
So let's say that the Knicks and Nuggets pull the trigger.
New York's starting lineup would look something like this:
PG Raymond Felton
SG Kelenna Azubuike
SF Carmelo Anthony
PF Amare Stoudemire
C Ronny Turiaf
But is this really enough to challenge the Heat in the playoffs? Not in my opinion. Actually, I don't think it is even close. The Heat will win in a landslide and I don't think it would even be fun to watch.
Now their starting lineup has three All-Stars and three players that could easily average a double double.
Now lets match up the Knicks and Heat:
New York Knicks Miami Heat
PG Chris Paul 18.7 points, 10.7 assists PG Chalmers 7.1 points, 3.4 assists
SG Azubuike 13.9 points, 4.6 rebounds SG Dwyane Wade 26.6 points, 6.5 assists
SF Carmelo 28.2 points 6.6 rebounds SF LeBron James 29.7 points,7.3 rebounds
PF Amare 23.1 points, 8.9 rebounds PF Chris Bosh 24 points, 10.8 rebounds
C Turiaf 4.5 points, 4.9 rebounds C Illgauskas 7.4 points, 5.4 rebounds
So Where do you think the Knicks stand up against the high and mighty Miami Heat?
I still don't think it is that close. But I agree that it is closer.
Here is why:
The Miami Heat have three players that have been considered the best at their position in the NBA at one point or another.
Two of which have been considered the best player in the league at some point. On the Heat you have MVP's and superstars. Players that can drop 30 points a game every single night.
With the Knicks, you have three very good players. None of them have ever been considered the best in the league, but they have been the best at their position for some stretch in their career. You don't have MVP's, but you have perennial All-Stars.
You don't have the best, but you have the next best and that could either be really good for the Knicks, or it could hurt them.
If Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony ask for max contracts, then the Knicks will be in trouble.
Melo could be a max contract player and so could Paul, but I don't think that they are good enough to carry the team to a championship.
In relation to the Miami Heat, the New York Knicks are option 1b.
If the Knicks leave themselves no financial freedom next offseason, then the Knicks will be very good.
If they have cap space to work with, then they Knicks could compete with the Miami Heat for a championship.
As it stands right now, the Knicks aren't a playoff team. If they are able to acquire Carmelo Anthony, then I think they are close to having home court advantage.
Adding Chris Paul will put them in contention for the first seed in the Eastern Conference, but I still give the edge to the Heat. This is not a slight on Amare, Melo, and Paul. They are all great players.
Just LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh are just that much better and that is something that is rather indisputable.
But I think the Knicks fans will settle for option 1b if it means battling the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals.
That is, if the Nuggets and Knicks can get something done. But I think they will.
This article Courtesy Of Rip City Report
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