NBA Rumors: 10 Reasons Carmelo Anthony's Team Beats the Miami Heat

I know, I know, this hasn't even happened. Carmelo is still in limbo as to where he will play next season and Chris Paul, at least for the immediate future, stands as a guy playing in New Orleans. Even with those two factors currently against the Knicks, one can wonder what it would be like having Carmelo, Paul and Stoudemire playing together.

They would encompass a new three in the league following the Celtics and Heat prior to them. I know many are scratching their heads at my belief that the Carmelo, Paul and Stoudemire team could win. If I had to put money on the line, let's be serious, I'm taking the Heat. That still doesn't mean a team can't beat another when they actually play.

Here I will present ten reasons at different strengths which could allow a Carmelo led squad to get the better of a Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James team. This is all assuming that Carmelo Anthony ends up with the Knicks alongside Amar'e Stoudemire and Chris Paul.

1. Chris Paul Is Healthy

Chris Paul has truly not been healthy over the past two seasons. It has shown not only in his diminished statistics, but also in his team's play. New Orleans went from playing in a competitive Western Conference Semifinals against the Spurs a couple seasons ago, to be a no show. An almost completely forgotten member of this league similar to Yao Ming. Paul was the man challenging Kobe for his MVP in 2008.

Chris Paul had been considered the best Point Guard in the league ahead of today's favorite: Deron Williams. Assuming he's healthy and traded to the Knicks, we could see some of what made Paul look more like Isiah Thomas in the past and less like John Crotty in the future.

2. A Fourth Guy Emerges

The Celtics were the Big Three until one, Rajon Rondo, emerged out of nowhere. We have seen what Carmelo Anthony can do. It is known what Amar'e Stoudemire does and Chris Paul can do. What needs to be found out is if there is or will be a man to flourish alongside them. Whether that is Anthony Randolph, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler or some other surprise.

If we stack D-Wade, Lebron and Bosh against Anthony, Stoudemire and Paul there would be a slight edge to the Heat. With that fourth key guy stepping up for the Knicks, it could even up things between the Knicks' best four and the Heat's best four.

3. Carmelo Continues To Grow

For those who have forgotten, Carmelo is still only 26 years old. He was only 18 when he led the Syracuse Orangemen to the National Championship win. What I am trying to say is that he is still reaching his peak. His first All-NBA Second Team this year was proof of his growth. He had been All-NBA Third Team the previous three years.

His maturation is key in continuing to build a better road to traverse. He is the one who moves the ship and unless he continues to grow, the team will stay at a stand still point.

4. Injuries Hit the Heat

Injuries are a part of the game. As much as we can hope players don't get injured and we can see them play at their highest level, that is not always the case. An injury to the big three could be devastating to a team that still lacks any depth outside of Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem.

Dwyane Wade has a history of injuries and I hope he stays at full health, but the reality is he has a strong history of issues with injury. LeBron and Bosh have been healthy throughout their careers, so this probably is not a feasible reason in the end. Still, it has to be seen as a viable reason.

5. Chemistry Issues

A team can have great talent, but that doesn't always relate to wins and championships. Just look at Shaq and Kobe before Phil Jackson to the reins of the Lakers in 2000. The Lakers had as much ability as the Jazz and Spurs, yet they were not mentally together enough to make a dent into their Playoff series.

That is why as much as we like as sports fans to predict things, they still have to play the games. I might think the trio in Miami would be slightly better than the trio in New York, but until they play it is only assumptions.

6. Depth

The Miami Heat have been able to bring in some solid veterans such as Eddie House, Juwan Howard and Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Those to go along with the aforementioned Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem. With the limited cap space there was, only so much talent the Heat could acquire.

Would this be the same for the Knicks?

It could be a wash, but if the Knicks could put together Paul, Anthony and Stoudemire at reasonable prices, there could be more room to retain or acquire players to put around them.

If you've followed the NBA, you know LeBron James makes the players around him better. Chris Paul can do that as well. If Paul can have more talent dispersed around him, it could lead to success for the Knicks.

7. The Celtics or Magic Wear Out the Heat

Every year, the Playoffs are a grueling , lengthy event that is longer today than it has been in the past. With the First Round being a 7 game series instead of a 5 game series and then the other rounds continuing, it is a grind. If the Heat find themselves against the Celtics or Magic, these two teams would have the ability to wear down the Heat and give the Knicks a better chance

This is assuming the Knicks are not wore down in their series as well. This could just come down to match-ups between each team and the health going into their series.

8. Mike D'Antoni Outcoaches Miami

We can't say for sure who is going to be the Head Coach for the Miami Heat in May, we can say that D'Antoni will be at the head position come this may for the Knicks. Chris Paul is a great defensive force to go with Anthony and Stoudemire being great athletes. If D'Antoni can get his team to play defense with the other inventive offensive sets he has put into play, he coach theoretically out coach the opposition.

9. Erik Spoelstra or Pat Riley

Throughout the Season, there will be a strain for the Heat on who is running things. Spoelstra may be the head coach; that is along as Pat Riley feels good. As many feel, I also see Riley taking over as coach if there is any slippage by Spoelstra this season.

This could be a slippery slope for the Heat to try and burn through. If there is a change at the top position, there could be a lengthy amount of time needed to adjust to Riles' Ball. Or, they might just not be able to adjust to Pat as they falter against a team led by Carmelo.

10. LeBron Still Doesn't Have a Title

I consider LeBron as the best player in the game along with Kobe Bryant so with that reasoning it still can be argued his rank should not be as high by people such as I considering he doesn't have a title. His teammate Dwyane Wade, has a title from the 2006 Finals. LeBron however, has yet to achieve the glory of a championship. His teams have faltered under him.

As much as I feel it was LeBron's lack of support around him that has let him down, he still has not won a NBA title like Carmelo Anthony as stated. Having each of these teams led by an Anthony vs. James scenario could lead to a rise in each player's game that has not been reached. Possibly, with a chance to go to the NBA Finals on the line. It could come down to these two deciding the fate of each player's future.