Carmelo Anthony To the New York Knicks: A Second Chance To Cement His Legacy

I want to make it clear right away—this is not an in depth basketball analysis of what the Carmelo Anthony trade does to the Knicks roster.

I will not describe how the trade effects Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense, or break down in detail the defensive struggles that may ensue the rest of the season due to a lack of bulk and length.  

Rather, think of this as a form of cultural analysis; sentiments on the Carmelo trade from the perspective of a lifelong ‘Cuse and NBA fan.

My grandfather, grandmother and uncle went to Syracuse. I began yelling at Syracuse sports, on TV and in person, when I was four.

In second grade, I started skipping school on the Thursday and Friday of the Big East Tourney to go to Madison Square Garden, to the games; best in person tourney game was Allen Iverson vs. Ray Allen in 1995.

I shook Derrick Coleman’s basketball sized hand in the Detroit airport during an ice storm when I was eight. I’ve seen Donovan Mcnabb dunk as a member of the Orangemen. I remember, vividly, jumping around my uncles living room in pandemonium, celebrating as Hakim Warrick’s outstretched hand tipped, blocking the game tying 3-attempt in 2003 against Kansas in the national title game.  

To paint the picture more clearly, I was a resident of the New York Metro Area, including Manhattan, from age two to fourteen. 10 years later, I still hold the mindset of a New York sports fan, going strong; being loud, passionate and knowledgeable. Three qualities that ultimately create obnoxiousness to varying degrees is the only way to support your team.

I don’t like the Pacers, Heat or Spurs. There will never be another Michael Jordan. I am not a fan of Reggie Miller and the thought of Patrick Ewing in the 1995 playoffs makes me shudder. Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy, former Knicks player/coach combination, are my favorite duo of NBA commentators.

I hate the Yankees, will root for the Jets and am generally impartial towards the other New York area teams. If you think I’m pulling the “’Melo just got traded to the Knicks and I’m a fan because I lived there over a decade ago” card, you would be mistaken.

Carmelo Anthony helped create one of my single greatest sports memories. That is, Syracuse University’s only NCAA Basketball title. It also happened to be the first full NCAA season after the death of my grandfather. If you don’t believe that I think he had a fingernail on that Warrick block, guiding the ball to safety, you would be mistaken.

To me, the Carmelo trade is one of those experiences that are in no way personally related to me, nor did I expect it to affect me, but it struck a chord. Carmelo helped create one of my most personal, meaningful fan experiences. Now, he’s a member of the other basketball team I associate with my childhood.

I do think the way the trade negotiations were dragged out, the distraction it caused and Anthony’s dictation of where he ultimately played via the trade is questionable. The fact that superstars can determine their future is an inherent part of dealing with the game’s biggest personalities and Carmelo’s is billboard sized.

The trade was a great move for the Knicks—and no, I’m not saying they will win a title this year. It was a move for the future, focused on future acquisitions. They'll be a tough out in the playoffs and could cause trouble, maybe a run into the second round.

Please, don’t ignore the fact that former NBA Finals MVP and Team USA veteran Chauncey Billups is a Knick, too. The current Knicks “Big three” is no slouchy trio; Billups and Stoudemire are ‘Melo’s 2010 NBA equivalents of Warrick and Gerry McNamara in 2003.

Their depth will be tested and new players will be in the rotation. Former lottery pick Corey Brewer comes from Minnesota, Landry Fields will get his opportunity to step into a larger role and role-player Bill Walker, a former NBA champion, could see increased playing time, too. Toney Douglas or off season acquisition Kelenna Azubuike, almost back from injury, can also find room in the rotation—and might former Syracuse guard Andy Rautins see the floor?

Another question is: Does the deal signal the beginning of the end for Knicks GM Donnie Walsh? Isiah Thomas reportedly played a big role in this acquisition, after all. But surely Walsh deserves credit for getting the Knicks to the point where they had all the players to acquire Carmelo in the first place?

These are all questions that will be debated for years to come. Regardless, Carmelo Anthony is coming home. He was born in Brooklyn and hopes to further the legacy of his childhood team. In no way has he been shy about his dream scenario of winning another title in New York.

Carmelo of course won a National title in his only season in college; brought the Nuggets to the playoffs in his rookie season but could never reach the finals. Everyone, even the haters, are anxious to see what’s going to come next—what develops into free agency in 2012 and beyond.

When ESPN Sports Center relayed the fact that a front row seat for Carmelo’s debut on Wednesday hosting the lowly Milwaukee Bucks is around $9,000 dollars, all I could do was smile.

I can’t wait to go to a Knicks game the next time I’m in New York. It’s going to be rockin’ in the nose bleeds of Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are about to get that 1990's swag back.  

And I can feel the pulse nearly 3000 miles away.