New York Knicks Still Little Brothers in the NBA's Eastern Conference

Congratulations, New Yorkers. After signing Amare Stoudemire in the summer of 2010, you have now picked up Carmelo Anthony, who is one of the best pure scorers in the game today.

But what did you actually accomplish? Are you actually going to be winners? (I know the Knicks wanted to keep him, but getting rid of Timofey Mozogov after THIS travesty is a blessing for both parties.)

Remember the 1991, 1992, 1993 seasons, when Michael Jordan's Bulls sent Patrick Ewing and company packing year after year? The more talented Bulls won 11 of those 16 games to knock the Knicks out of the playoffs in three consecutive years, leaving Spike Lee and the Knicks frustrated time and time again.

But with Anthony and Amare, that's in the past, right?

Wrong.

Look around you to Chicago, where Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer wait in the shadows. Or, more importantly, look to Miami, where LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are laughing at your combination of just two stars.

Can't you just see it: the 2012, 2013, 2014 Knicks exiting the playoffs early because they are again outclassed in a remarkably tough Eastern Conference?

While Carmelo and Amare are a great tandem, Knick fans shouldn't get to excited.

James Dolan and Donnie Walsh are undoubtedly thrilled with their addition of Carmelo, but they are racking their brains as to where more talent will come from. The Knicks aren't expected to have enough cap space to make a run at Chris Paul or Deron Williams in 2012 (assuming the tandem opts out of their current deals and Melo signs a max contract). On top of that, the Knicks don't look like they'll have the same quality pieces next year that allowed them to trade for Carmelo this year, putting them in even more of a bind.

So, Mr. Walsh, Mr. Dolan, don't get to excited about your current addition. There is much work to be done if you want to avoid the fate of Pat Riley and the 1990s Knicks.

Or I guess you could hope LeBron decides to try football like Jordan tried baseball in 1994. That's something to hope for, right?