New York Knicks: Pros and Cons of the Carmelo Anthony Trade
There has been a lot of skepticism for trading for Carmelo Anthony mid-season and giving up some major contributors to the team. The question we're all asking ourselves is if it was really worth it.
In this slideshow, I'm going to break down the pros and cons of the trade, and finally conclude if this was actually a smart thing to do.
Enjoy.
If you have any arguments, feel free to start it up in the comment section.
Pro No. 1: We Didn't Have to Wait Until the Offseason
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We just couldn't wait.
We wanted this guy too much. And so did Donnie Walsh.
This benefitted us because we didn't have to wait to cheer for him in a Knicks uniform. It also allows the Knicks to gel a little bit before next season and build some much needed chemistry. And we all know that chemistry is essential for winning championships.
Con No. 1: We Were so Anxious We Couldn't Wait Until the Offseason
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Raymond Felton. Timofey Mozgov. Wilson Chandler. Danilo Gallinari.
Those are the players we lost to get just one player. The sad thing is that if we waited, we wouldn't even have had to give those guys up.
To me, this is the worst aspect of the trade.
We gave up an emerging point guard in Raymond Felton, an Italian sharpshooter who was building a driving game in Gallinari, a young seven-footer in Mozgov and an athletic wing player that could shoot the three in Chandler.
How are you feeling about it now?
Don't worry, it gets better.
Pro No. 2: We Got Mr. Billups
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Chauncey Billups is one of the crucial players to the new Knicks. He may be old, but he can still ball.
He is one of the major benefits from this trade that we wouldn't have gotten in free agency.
He stretches the floor with his 3-point shooting. He provides that veteran leadership that every team needs. He can run the offense with perfection. He brings so much to the plate which makes him special. He's Mr. Big Shot.
The Knicks definitely benefitted by picking up this guy.
Con No. 2: Just When the Knicks Were Finding Their Groove...
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You can't deny it. As much as you love the 'Melo trade, you need to admit that the former Knicks were clicking just before the trade.
They had their big-time scorer and superstar in Amar'e. There was no need to bring in a second.
That's another reason why this trade was a bad idea. If we had waited until the offseason, we could have seen how far the former Knicks would have gone, and if we actually needed Carmelo in the first place.
This, in my opinion, was a huge mistake by Donnie Walsh. Sorry Donnie.
Pro No. 3: We Got Carmelo Anthony.
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That alone should be enough to erase all the discussion on whether or not it was a good trade.
Nine times out of 10 a team would make that trade. It's the trade of a lifetime.
He single-handedly brought his former team to the Western Conference finals, and with Amar'e Stoudemire you would think that it would most definitely bring a championship home to the city.
We just have to wait and see.
Con No. 3: Carmelo Is Basically the Same Player as Amar'e
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Let me explain myself before you kill me.
Offensively, they are exactly the same.
They get the ball on the perimeter or a little within the 3-point line. They set up in their triple threat position. Jab step. Another jab step. Another jab step. Shot fake. Another shot fake. Shot.
The bottom line is they are both ball-stoppers. Once they get the ball, you know they're not going to pass it. You can't have two of those players on the same team. I'm sorry, it just doesn't work.
Why didn't the Knicks think of going for another star player before the trade deadline? Someone who isn't exactly like Stoudemire offensively. Why not a player that passes the ball? Deron Williams, maybe?
Ask Donnie Walsh for that one.
Maybe he'll have a better answer, but if we had gotten Deron Williams, who, by the way, was available (he went to the Nets), we could have had a little pick-and-roll between him and Amar'e just as he did it with Carlos Boozer. Except Amar'e is better than Carlos Boozer.
If we had gone in a different direction before the trade deadline, maybe us Knicks fans would be watching the Knicks in the playoffs right now.
Conclusion
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You may hate me for this, but I think the trade was a bad idea. We could have waited until free agency. We could have gone for Deron Williams.
We could have done so many other things that would have benefitted the Knicks just as much, if not more.
Free free to comment if you disagree. Hope you enjoyed!
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