Carmelo Anthony: How Spike Lee Will Deliver Melo to the New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony trade rumors are again flying and Spike Lee is front and center. 

The legendary filmmaker has been rumored to be making inroads between Carmelo Anthony and Lee's favorite team, the New York Knicks.  Initial reports have the Knicks sending Eddy Curry's dead weight, Anthony Randolph and possibly Danilo Gallinari to the Nuggets in exchange for Carmelo Anthony.

It is interesting to see someone not employed by an organization to go to lengths to secure success for the team he roots for.  Could this be the start of something new?   Will we now see Jack Nicholson courting high priced talent for the Lakers?  If successful, Spike Lee may start a little trend.  Here is how he will nab Melo.

10: Basketball Man

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LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Director Spike Lee sits in his seat by the Laker bench as Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers rests during a time out in the game with the Denver Nuggets on November 21, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Californi

For starters, Carmelo Anthony has to trust Spike Lee.  Well, he can trust that Lee is a basketball man who is knowledgeable on the game and it's nuances.  Advice given should not be taken from anyone less. 

Besides being a regular at NBA games, he has also directed a basketball movie, He Got Game, and a basketball documentary, Kobe Doin Work.

The latter should prove that Spike Lee is an admirer of the game above all else.  He is not just a Knicks fan, but a hoops fan.

9: Knicks Historian

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PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Director Spike Lee attends NBA All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and

Before making his decision, Carmelo has to digest all he knows about the Knicks and their organization.  There is no better man around to take on the roll of educator as Spike Lee. 

Spike Lee is a gifted story teller and historian.  Any little tidbit Melo would want on the franchise, Lee could answer.  He is also an author on the subject of being a Knicks fan, writing the memoir Best Seat in the House.

8: Commercials

Here we have a young Spike Lee with a young Michael Jordan.

Now think of what could be done with a much more seasoned Spike Lee and one of the most prolific scorers in the NBA.  The commercial would be hilarious. 

7: Movies

Forget commercials, what about movies. 

He did just that with Ray Allen.  Allen took on the part of Jesus Shuttlesworth in Lee's movie He Got Game.  A promise of even a bit role in an upcoming film could do the trick. 

6: Spike Lee Is New York

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ORLANDO, FL - JUNE 09: Director Spike Lee attends Game Three of the 2009 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Orlando Magic on June 9, 2009 at Amway Arena in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by d

Carmelo Anthony already likes Spike Lee.  Rumors are that he has been talking to him about a move to New York.  Well, that friend of his, is New York.

Lee is flashy, glitzy and hard working.  He is the personification of New York.  If Anthony likes Spike Lee he has to assume New York is going to be just fine. 

5: Media

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NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Director Spike Lee yells at the referee from the sideline during the New York Knicks game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on November 13, 2006 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Cavs defeated the Knicks 102-96. NOTE T

These trades can get a bit tricky.  Sometimes the media can ruin or help a trade along with the amount of information that is released.  It also helps to shape the minds of fans on either side. 

Spike Lee is in the very unique position of being moderator and story teller.  He can leak information as he sees fit and help Denver feel safe that an Anthony departure is the wise decision at this time. 

Already, we see that the Nuggets want get at least a small return on Carmelo.  Lee could help sell that to Nuggets fans. 

4: Carmelo Likes the Limelight

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Sean 'Diddy' Combs and director Spike Lee talk during half time of Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO US

If you play for New York, you have to be able to take the pressure that comes with being a celebrity.  Carmelo Anthony does not shy away from something like that. 

Most recently this was illustrated at Anthony's wedding to TV personality LaLa Vazquez.  The wedding was well covered and more importantly well attended by celebrities.  Those in attendance were LeBron James, Kim Kardashian, Ludacris and Serena Williams among others.

With Spike Lee comes a great deal of exposure and press.  Carmelo does not mind either. 

3: Close To Parties That Matter

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 31: Spike Lee watches the New York Yankees take on the Philadelphia Phillies in Game Three of the 2009 MLB World Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 31, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

One of the bigger reasons Spike Lee could help is that he has the ear of two interested parties.

Trade talks rarely have a liaison with such close ties to both parties.  Spike Lee is good friends with Carmelo Anthony and a trusted ally to Knicks resident Donnie Walsh.  Those ties could make the transition that much smoother. 

2: New York Wants Him

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 16: Director Spike Lee waves to the crowd during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks at Staples Center December 16, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 116-114. NOTE TO USER: User expres

It is nice to feel loved.  With dismal showings the past couple of decades, the city of New York would sure love themselves some Carmelo Anthony. 

Well, it is tough to illustrate the love of a city to a potential recruit.  You have to stage a rally.  There must be news coverage and so on.  Spike Lee cuts all of the affection to the proverbial chase.  He can put a face to the affection Knicks fans will deliver. 

1: He Can Tamper

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BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 10: Director/filmaker Spike Lee of '30/30 Documentary' speaks during day three of the ESPN Channel 2008 Summer Television Critics Association Press Tour held at the Beverly Hilton hotel on July 10, 2008 in Beverly Hills, Californ

Above all other reasons, the main one has to be Spike Lee's ability to tamper.

Current NBA rules prohibit Donnie Walsh from making assurance to Carmelo Anthony.  Similarly, Anthony can not reassure Walsh that he will resign with the Knicks if he is traded.  This is where Spike Lee comes in. 

There is nothing restricting him from just, chatting with his friends.  If those chats happen to fall onto the topic of recent rumors and speculation, so be it.