Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire a Perfect Fit: Not So Fast, My Friend

If you’re a New York Knicks fan, you’ve been enjoying the rebirth of the team and you’re probably thinking, “I can’t wait until we get Carmelo!”

Most people feel it’s a foregone conclusion that Carmelo will either come to the Big Apple in a trade this season or as a free agent over the summer.  And while the addition of a big name like Carmelo makes sense from a business standpoint (he’ll put people in the seats), it doesn’t make a lot of sense on the court. 

I’m a big NY fan and a big Amar’e fan.  I loved Stoudemire with Phoenix and I love him even more with the Knickerbockers.  Here’s the problem: Amar’e doesn’t play any D.  Oh, he’ll get up and block a shot here and there (he’s averaging more than two a game, ninth in the league), but look at the points he gives up to opposing centers and forwards. 

His defense was a problem in Phoenix and it will be an ongoing problem in New York. 

Amar’e has always come from the Allen Iverson school of defense, believing good defense is scoring more points than the man guarding you.  And right now, it’s working for Amar’e.  He’s second in the league in scoring (26.5 PPG) and had a nice run of 30-plus point games snapped on Friday. 

Here’s the thing: Bring in Carmelo, and Amar’e’s points are going to drop. 

There’s no doubt that Carmelo will be deferred to more often and get the majority of shots.  And when Amar’e isn’t scoring as much, is he still outscoring the man guarding him?  Not if it’s Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, or even KG. 

Continue reading the full article at Double G Sports.