NY Knicks: Why Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire Can't Succeed Together
There is such a thing as too much of a good thing, and it's a lesson that the New York Knicks will be hit with as soon as Amare Stoudemire returns to a starting lineup.
The Knicks are rolling right now, and it's not because of Jeremy Lin or a player that came out of nowhere to deliver magical returns. Instead, it's the superstar this Manhattan market was lauding with so much praise a year ago.
Melo is back, comfortable and shooting the ball with the same fearless nature that we remember. Per ESPN, he has averaged 33 points on 52 percent shooting in the past 11 games, far better than the 21 points he was averaging before then.
New York Newsday's Al Iannazzone reports Stoudemire will be out the next couple of games, but there is hope he returns by Friday from an ailing back injury.
What happens then?
It's no coincidence that a scoring boost happened when Mike D'Antoni exited and Mike Woodson took over.
Anthony isn't just another piece on the floor, he is an accountable leader and a key cog in the offense. Woodson has done two things in his short tenure.
He has invigorated the defense and placed the onus of the offense on Carmelo Anthony, as he should. Melo isn't a facilitator, he is a player that is best when he dominates the ball and is creating in isolation.
He feeds first, and the rest can pick off the scraps.
It may sound a bit selfish because it is. Players are not called to stand around and spectate, but Anthony is a scorer first. This is precisely what he is good at, and what he needs to continue doing nightly.
A couple of months ago, Bruce Bowen tackled whether Stoudemire and Anthony could co-exist with Jeremy Lin. While Lin may be sidelined, this video is important on a number of levels.
The Knicks are without that prototypical point guard that will run pick-and-roll plays with Stoudemire, something he flourishes at.
Most importantly, the man dominating the ball on offense is not about to spread the love around to the second-best player on the team.
Melo is the perfect player to hog the ball and have the bulk of the offense begin and end with him, but the same can be said about Stoudemire.
He needs to be force fed, and that just isn't going to happen; I'm not about to say it should considering how Anthony is playing right now.
Something has to give.
