Erick Blasco Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2011/3/23/2067274/new-york-knicks-carmelo-anthony To lash out at the Knicks in a macro view right now is to show some level of disconnect with the realities of NBA basketball. The Knicks simply were not very good before the trade. The team had a tenuous grasp on above-.500 basketball, unable to mount an attack on the squad above them in the standings (the Atlanta Hawks), a team that happens to be one of the worst good teams ever. The offense was just fine; the defense was abysmal, as bad or worse than it had been for any of Mike D'Antoni's Phoenix Suns teams. As it turns out, trading for 'Melo, a scorer known to concede with some regularity on defense, didn't fix the defense. Who could ever have guessed that? As it also turns out, 'Melo isn't quite as valuable a scorer as he has widely been considered to be. Anthony isn't terribly efficient; when Kevin Durant, LeBron James or even Kevin Martin drop 25, they typically do so on fewer shots than someone like 'Melo would need. That matters! Some discount Anthony's shot creation value too much, and those who claim he's not even a legit All-Star level player are being disingenuous; the Knicks' offense, after all, has performed statistically better since the trade, hellfire and all. But 'Melo isn't one of the top five or 10 players in the league. It appears the hype of his months-long courtship by the Nets and Knicks (and a few other teams) blinded enough people to that fact, given the shock and dismay his sub-MVP performance in New York has drawn. If fans expected Alexander the Great and instead got Mithridates, well of course they'll be disappointed, even if he turns out to be pretty good. So much of our sporting satisfaction and pleasure is tied to expectations; how else can you explain a fanbase being so ginned up for Amar'e Stoudemire's .500 Knicks and crushed by Carmelo Anthony's .500 Knicks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reno Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 I agree, knicks imo used to be a dark horse team before the trade, now they seem like garbage. Melo cant play any defense which hurts ny and is very overrated, him and amare are not a great combo. Hopefully this will send a league message that its not always a good idea to leave your team/system behind in order to team up with another star. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Truth Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Stat and Melo aren't the problem. the defensive ineptness of the entire team is the problem. they already have a solid foundation in Stat, Melo, and Fields. they have to build around those guys by surrounding them with solid defenders. they definitely need to improve at the center position. whoever they get to play there should be a great defender. I also think extending Billups (which it sounds like they're trying to do) is a bad idea. this guy is well past his prime and he's not a long-term solution for New York. they need to be on the lookout for defenders and they need to shed some cap. that way when 2012 rolls around, they'll be able to court Howard, Paul, and Williams. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owner Real Deal Posted March 23, 2011 Owner Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Wait...so the real reason is Melo's scoring (or lack of efficiency)? I don't buy that. New York has no defense, they have no depth, and they have no size. In fact, if we're talking efficiency, the Chicago Bulls shoot nearly the exact same percentage as the Knicks, but it's their defense that clears the way for the top seed in the East. Chicago is also a top five rebounding team in the NBA, and the Knicks struggle to board. If we're looking at offense, they need to stop shooting threes. Every single time I tune in, they are launching from 25 feet out, and it has been that way all season long. It does make sense, though, because Amare isn't a back-to-the-basket post, and they don't have the facilitator to create shots for anyone (not sure why people thought Melo facilitated). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JYD Posted March 23, 2011 Report Share Posted March 23, 2011 Wait...so the real reason is Melo's scoring (or lack of efficiency)? I don't buy that. New York has no defense, they have no depth, and they have no size. In fact, if we're talking efficiency, the Chicago Bulls shoot nearly the exact same percentage as the Knicks, but it's their defense that clears the way for the top seed in the East. Chicago is also a top five rebounding team in the NBA, and the Knicks struggle to board. If we're looking at offense, they need to stop shooting threes. Every single time I tune in, they are launching from 25 feet out, and it has been that way all season long. It does make sense, though, because Amare isn't a back-to-the-basket post, and they don't have the facilitator to create shots for anyone (not sure why people thought Melo facilitated).Well said..... And I believe the Knicks started the season 3-12, or something like that. I'm not panicking yet. They are still trying to figure things out. We've seen flashes of greatness from this team, flashes of mediocrity, and flashes of awfulness. What are they? I'm not sure yet. I'm leaning towards mediocre with the roster and holes they have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Check my Stats Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 The Knicks don't trade for Carmelo Anthony to win in the year 2011. I don't think a new coach would hurt either, but then again I hate D'Antoni. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I wasn't expecting anything more than a first round exit for the Knicks after the Melo trade. They just don't have the depth to win a 7 game series but they do have the cornerstones for what could be a great team. If the Knicks do want to get deeper in the playoffs next season though, they need to squeeze the best talent out of their first round pick and the MLE/bi-annual exception. They have nothing to offer trade wise unless they're willing to part with Landry Fields. A new coach would help too but I wouldn't fire D'Antoni unless its for a proven head coach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NomarFachix Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 I hate D'Antoni. Me too bro, high five Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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