Carmelo Anthony: Are Melo and Amar'e Stoudemire the NBA's Fiercest Dream Duo?

Now that the New Jersey Nets have backed out of any trade talks to acquire Carmelo Anthony, the favorite to obtain the forward is the New York Knicks.

On the Knicks already is superstar Amare Stoudemire. Knicks fans tuck themselves in at night and wander off to dreamland thinking about 'Melo and STAT pairing up at Madison Square Garden.

How dynamic would the duo be if we did get to see them together? Would they be the best the NBA had to offer?

Let's investigate.

Carmelo and Amare Might Be The Most Explosive Duo in The NBA

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or

Anthony and Stoudemire average a combined 49.9 points per game as it is.

'Melo is one of the best in the league at creating his own shot. Stoudemire is maybe the best package of explosion and polish at power forward in the NBA.

Having both on the floor would only make it that much more difficult on defenses used to only having to key on one.

Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol Might Want a Say

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LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and teammate Pau Gasol #16 celebrate after a play against the Miami Heat during the NBA game at Staples Center on December 25, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. The Heat defeated the

Kobe Bryant is still one of the best scorers in the game. Pau Gasol is the most offensively skilled big man in the game.

Bryant also doubles as a lock-down defender. Gasol can block shots and has an annoying ability to draw offensive fouls.

These guys are one of the best duos in Lakers history.

Carmelo and Stoudemire Have Plenty Of Time

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DENVER, CO - JANUARY 13: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts as the ball goes out of bounds against the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center on January 13, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Heat 130-102. NOTE TO USER: User express

While many of the great pairings in the NBA have one or two of their members nearing retirement, Anthony and Stoudemire have plenty of years ahead.

Stoudemire is 28 and Anthony is 26. They easily have six years ahead of them. With the recent blueprint provided by Shaquille O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and other big men, a seven-footer can stay in the NBA for a long time.

'Melo should start taking tips from Kobe on how to remain youthful.

The Heatles Have Some Pretty Solid Combos

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MIAMI - JULY 09: LeBron James #6, Dwyane Wade #3 and Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat show off their new game jerseys before a press conference after a welcome party at American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty

Pair up LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Or make that Dwyane Wade and Bosh. Or maybe James and Wade.

No matter which two of the three you pick, its one of the most dominant and talented twosomes in the NBA.

Putting Bosh with one of the other two would provide the best results, considering the possibility of an inside-out game.

Carmelo and Stoudemire Know Each Other From Team USA

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LAS VEGAS - SEPTEMBER 2: Amare Stoudemire #12, Carmelo Anthony #15, and Chauncey Billups #4 of the USA react from the bench as they watch teammates score during the FIBA Americas Championship 2007 Gold Medal game against Argentina at Thomas & Mack Center

Amare and Carmelo played together on Team USA in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, winning a bronze medal.

That time together gave them an opportunity to play together. They shouldn't be as far behind other duos in the NBA in terms of knowing each other's games.

They Arent Exactly Defensive Stoppers

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NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 17: Steve Nash #13 of the Phoenix Suns drives to the basket against Amar'e Stoudemire #1 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 17, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees tha

Stoudemire, in particular, has come under heavy criticism for he defensive play, or a lack thereof.

Sure, he grabs his fair share of rebounds, but many coaches and scouts believe he has the physical tools to be dominant but doesn't put in the work.

Part of the blame has been put on the system of his coach for most of his time with the Phoenix Suns and now the Knicks, Mike D'Antoni. The system is a run-and-gun that puts more emphasis on offense.

But Carmelo doesn't wow anyone with his defensive game, either.

Amare and Carmelo Want at Least One Ring

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PHOENIX - NOVEMBER 15: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on November 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Nuggets 100-94. NOTE TO USER: User express

Both Amare and Carmelo have made deep runs into the playoffs, but both are ringless. Championship rings are a tremendous tool used for judging players' careers.

They both are expected to win one considering their immense talent.

That type of expectation can bring out the best in players. Teaming up with that goal in mind could be the catalyst for 'Melo and STAT.

Tony Parker and Tim Duncan Are Still in The League

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 08: Teammates Tony Parker #9 and Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs walk onto the court against the Charlotte Bobcats before their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 8, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO US

If you haven't noticed—and most people haven't—the Spurs have the best record in the NBA at 36-6. That's thanks to Tim Duncan and Tony Parker.

They have brought three NBA Championships to the Spurs and continue to be the most reliable duo in the NBA.

Fierce, however, may not be the best way to describe the mild-mannered duo.

Stoudemire and Anthony Could Play Their Games in Madison Square Garden

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NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 17: Spike Lee celebrates during the game between the New York Knicks against the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden on December 17, 2010 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading

It's often call the Basketball Mecca. It's where all of the NBA stars want to have their biggest games.

It's Madison Square Garden.

For whatever reason, the Knicks' arena brings out the best in players from Michael Jordan to LeBron James.

Stoudemire is having a terrific season in the building. Could Anthony's performance's get a boost from it as well?

Don't forget about Spike Lee's influence with him trash-talking the other team.

Baron Davis and Blake Griffin Are Becoming Pretty Fierce

Baron Davis and Blake Griffin know all about fierce. Amare saw Griffin's fierceness up close and personal already this season.

Griffin is young, and he and Davis have some energy in the Staples Center even when the Lakers aren't playing.

As nasty as Griffin's dunks are, Boom Dizzle's beard may be the fiercest thing about them.