Carmelo Anthony Trade: Re-Ranking the East with Melo on the Knicks
Now that Carmelo Anthony is officially with the New York Knicks, the NBA’s Eastern Conference is really going to experience somewhat of a shakeup.
The Knicks will be on the rise and will undoubtedly be gearing towards making a run to the top of the standings.
Let’s take a look at a re-ranking of the East now that Melo is with the Knicks.
15. Cleveland Cavaliers
1 of 15
“This fall...I am taking my talents to South Beach...”
14. New Jersey Nets
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The Nets may be able to make a few trades that could salvage this season for them, but as of right now they have dropped all the way to the bottom of the East in my opinion.
Truthfully, I’d rather watch Jersey Shore than the Nets right now.
13. Toronto Raptors
3 of 15
It’s hockey season, man.
Does anybody in Canada even realize the Raptors are still playing?
12. Washington Wizards
4 of 15
Remember when they used to be called the Washington Bullets?
At least John Wall is fun to watch.
He’s got some sick dance moves!
11. Detroit Pistons
5 of 15
If the Pistons can’t make a few trades before the deadline, you might as well drop them all the way down to the bottom of the rankings.
It’s sad to see how this franchise has fallen.
Thank God for the Red Wings.
10. Charlotte Bobcats
6 of 15
The Bobcats are a young and exciting team.
They are just a bit too inexperienced to do anything worthwhile this year.
At least Larry Brown is a great coach...oh...wait...he left.
Didn’t see that one coming...
9. Indiana Pacers
7 of 15
Poor Danny Granger...
What else can I say?
8. Philadelphia 76ers
8 of 15
At this very moment Philadelphia is only two games behind the Knicks.
That gap is about to become substantially larger.
Philadelphia is the big loser in this trade.
7. Milwaukee Bucks
9 of 15
The Bucks are only this high on the list because of the division that they are in.
The Central Division is the weakest in the East, and the Bucks might be able to ride Brandon Jennings all the way to a first-round sweep.
6. Atlanta Hawks
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Atlanta is an interesting team and very exciting to watch.
Unfortunately, exciting does not win you games in the playoffs.
They are dropping in the East power rankings with the arrival of Carmelo.
5. Chicago Bulls
11 of 15
The Bulls are still searching for a 2 guard, so if they can snag one before the deadline, then I would consider moving them up in the rankings.
Right now they are no better than fifth, though.
Derrick Rose is great, but he can’t do everything.
Hey, I heard Michael Jordan played in a scrimmage the other day!
Hmm...
4. Orlando Magic
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Orlando has been disappointing this year, but it has to get somewhat of a pass being that its roster has had so much turnover lately.
Dwight Howard is underwhelming as a player, and I think that the Magic will get swept under the rug with the emergence of New York.
Let’s see who gets the last laugh.
3. Miami Heat
13 of 15
The Heat’s biggest concern this season has to be injuries to their dynamic trio. It seems like they rarely are all able to stay healthy at the same time for an extended period of time.
Now that Carmelo is in the East, I think the most pressure is going to shift to Miami, and more importantly No. 6.
I’ve heard the golf courses are pretty nice down in Miami.
2. New York Knicks
14 of 15
The addition of Carmelo Anthony has made the Knicks an instant contender in the East.
They still have another piece to add if they want to have the New York version of a “super team,” but Chauncey Billups will do a great job facilitating the dynamic duo of Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.
Spike Lee has already made their championship documentary.
1. Boston Celtics
15 of 15
Boston’s version of the big three—actually four—will still get the nod for best team in the conference.
They have championship experience and a consistent roster.
That being said, they are going to have to start really worrying about the new-look Knicks.
Carmelo is definitely going to be a cancer to Boston’s championship hopes...
Come on KG...really?
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