New York Knicks: Chauncey Billups a Bigger Difference-Maker Right Now Than Melo

Allow me to be the first to say, "Hallelujah, the saga is over."

I've lost a measure of respect for Carmelo Anthony in this seedy media frenzy (shout out to Aesop Rock), but through it all, I've come out of this thing still rooting for him somehow.

I think it's because, even though he leveraged himself off his long-time club and onto his own superteam, he didn't jerk anybody around about where he wanted to take his talents.

But I digress.

In terms of playing winning basketball, the biggest part of the Melo-NY marriage, at this moment, is Chauncey Billups. He not only changes this team the most right now, but acquiring him (and giving up Raymond Felton in the process) could have the biggest impact on the Knicks’ long-term fate.

Carmelo is the top-10 superstar New York fans have been dreaming of for three years now; he spells a moral victory for the franchise and he will be his usual big-scoring self (especially under Mike D'Antoni), but Billups will be the reason the Knicks actually win games in the process.

He should have a stabilizing effect on this high-powered offense, and he could very well have just as immediate an impact as he did when he landed in Denver. Developing chemistry will be a much smoother process simply by having him running the offense, ironing out the offensive wrinkles while everybody gets acquainted.

Plus, he gives the Knicks one more deadly weapon in clutch situations and softens the blow of losing Danilo Gallinari's shooting.

Also, Billups brings intangibles from his Detroit days which the Knicks would not have without him, such as championship experience and, more importantly, a high defensive IQ. He will bring an intimate knowledge of the little things that make up an effective defense, something any team coached by D’Antoni sorely needs.

Maybe he'll show Ronny Turiaf how to unlock his inner Ben Wallace.

• Amar'e Stoudemire

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• Ronny Turiaf

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• still Carmelo

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• Toney Douglas

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• Corey Brewer

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• other

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Simply put, Billups is the best chance the Knicks have right now of really striking fear in anyone's hearts come playoff time, as opposed to being another scoring machine that can't close out a tough series (prove me wrong, Mike).

What the Knicks have also done, however, is mortgage their point guard situation for short-term efficiency.

Raymond Felton was doing just fine and still has young legs; Denver is set for years at the 1. For the Knicks, Billups is an upgrade from good to great, but in the twilight of his career, I give him two more years at his current level.

After that, they had better have some good prospects lined up at the point. If they do, those kids will be under one of the best wings you can find. If they don’t, they might be in trouble in the long run, because between Carmelo, Amar’e Stoudemire and what is increasingly likely to be a hard salary cap, they won’t have free-agent dollars to fall back on for a floor general worthy of this city’s lofty aspirations.

So, in the end, they traded in longevity for immediate results at point guard, and as long as they're committed to keeping the position well staffed after Billups' decline, the decision should prove wise enough.

As far as Carmelo is concerned, barring some meltdown, he should have a long, productive and who-knows-how-successful career in New York. The difference as to how much winning he does, however, may very well rest with the guy that "came with him" to his dream destination.

UPDATE: It seems Billups is none too pleased with being dealt out of Denver, so a potential morale problem may render the above article utterly moot. Stay tuned...

UPDATE: Obviously Corey Brewer is no longer in the picture...