The Time Is Now

The time is now.  The time has never been better.  Carmelo Anthony needs to become a member of the New York Knicks.  Throughout the entire process, I have watched Knicks fans flip flop back and forth, showing just how emotionally attached they are to these Knicks.  The bottom line is, this is not an emotional decision.  It is a business decision.  The two players at the forefront of the fans lust are Landry Fields and Danilo Gallinari.  Landry Fields, the second round steal that has provided stability at the two guard throughout the season.  The same man who has endeared himself to fans with his personality and consistency, but by all accounts will not become a "star" in this league.  Now, this does not mean to demean what Fields has done and will become, but at 2nd round pick should not hold up the acquisition of arguably one of the top 10 players in the NBA. Then we move onto Danillo Gallinari, the Italian Stallion.  By his own account, Gallinari does not see himself becoming a star in this league.  He stated very clearly in a recent radio interview, that he does not see himself on the same level as players such as Amare or Kobe.  In addition, in 2012 Gallinari will become a restricted free agent. This is the same off season when Landry Fields will become a free agent.  What most pun dents tend to disregards is even role players command a salary in the range of $4-$8 million dollars (see Darko Milicic, Mike Miller).  If Fields and Gallinari remain playing at this consistent level they could possibly command around $12-$16 million during the 2012 off season.  This is the same off season that the organization has made it a priority to sign Chris Paul or Deron Williams.  The Knicks most certainly will not be able to retain the services of these players and still acquire Paul or Williams.  This argument is similarly structured to the argument made in regards to the Felton and Billups swap.  Felton was viewed as a rental for two years until the Knicks could make a run at an elite level point guard.  Even though his play has exceeded expections, he is still not the caliber of player that Paul or Williams is.  In addition, Billups excelled at the world championships running D'Antoni's speedball offense.  With Felton being viewed as a rental and Billups contract expiring in 2012, I don't believe there should be much trepidation about completing this deal.  With Billups, the Knicks will also receive a proven leader and winner that will not be afraid to step up and take the big shot in the playoffs.  This deal significantly improves the Knicks execution and options in close games.  You go from having no one to take the last show down by two, to two of the best big shot takers in the league.  A Trade of Gallinari, Fields, Felton, and Eddie Curry is both reasonable and necessary for the team's future.  While I do not agree with a reported trade that included the above players, as well as Chadler and Mozgov, some thought does need to be given as to why this trade scenario was leaked...was it leaked by Knicks brass as an excuse to fans for this trade not being completed? 

Mozgov is Not the Answer, He is an Aid

Mozgov, Mozgov, Mozgov.  Lost in the euphoria that was experienced Sunday night at the Garden was Stoudemire's 33 and Gallinari's 29.  Also lost in the euphoria was the Knicks 3-7 record over the last ten games.  While many look at Mozgov's performance on Sunday night as some sort of sign from the heavens, I am here to say that one game does not make a career.  While it deserves praise, it does not deserve a monument in front of MSG.  How soon we forget that Eddie Curry averaged over 19 points a game FOR AN ENTIRE SEASON!!  Also, as an exercise, would someone please name the centers on the Pistons....cricket....cricket.  The Pistons do not have one player on there roster that registers more than 7 feet.  Not one!  This is not to take away from Mozgov's performance.  The man got up and down the court for 40 minutes after not playing in the previous 10 games.  Even though his first shot was reminiscent of a CBA 12th man (yes, I said CBA.  The same league that Isiah ran into the ground), he responded after a put back dunk and continued to haunt the basket for the remainder of the game.  While the 23 points and 14 rebounds that Mozgov puts up most certainly deserves a second look, I am more interested to see him against a center taller than 6'9".  While Mozgov has the size, he does NOT have the strength.  Both Mozgov and Randolph look like one of those infomercials to donate money to feed children in Africa.  Not simply against, Tyson Chandler (Mavericks - who has a similar build), but against some of the stronger Centers in the league.  Tonight will be a test more of D'Antoni than of Mozgov.  How will he incorporate Mozgov into the rotation with both Chandler and Williams returning? 

Reeling and Hopefully Dealing!

Yes, Yes.  The Knicks do enter the midpoint of the season with a 22-19 record.  A record that by all intents and purposes is much improved over same point last season.  But the Knicks have had to stomach a harsh reality over the last few weeks.  Losers of their last four and winners of only four of their last ten, there is only one explanation.  To put it in football terms, "THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE!”  The Knicks are a .500 team, that in spurts can play with some of the best teams in the NBA.  HOWEVER, the Knicks lack the consistency both offensively and defensively to seriously contend for a top playoff position.  Their defensive effort tends to take the blunt of the criticism, but there is also a need for a consistent scorer.  This was not more apparent then against Houston, where Stoudemire scored a tough 25 and no one else showed up.  This is all too familiar theme.  Of course, there are games like the San Antonio game, when the engine is running on all cylinders and everything they throw up goes in.  However, this is not the norm.  Too many fans became enamored with this Knicks team and began to think they were more than they were.  Even Amare was guilty, when he went on the David Letterman show and proclaimed that he could see the Knicks making a run to the finals.  This is not going to happen, I repeat, this is not going to happen.  The Knicks lack both defensive and consistent scoring.  One move can improve both (even if everyone does not agree).  By making a deal for Carmelo Anthony both the defense and the offense can improve.  This is accomplished not solely through Anthony but by the opening up of a roster spot in order to sign another big man (Earl Barron) who played quality minutes for the Knicks at the end of last season.  The move will most likely leave you with a starting lineup of Felton, Chandler, Anthony, Stoudemire and Turiaf, with Shawne Williams, Earl Barron and Toney D. coming off the bench.  This will also provide an opportunity for guys like Roger Mason Jr. to find some playing time.  While we all love Fields and Gallinari, this lineup is better both offensively and defensively.  It is much harder (as we have seen in Miami) for defenses to plan to stop multiple superstars.  The defense will be less quick to double Stoudemire, if they know he is kicking the ball out to Anthony.  Many people think this can't work, I propose that there is no way it cannot.  This move will also pave the way for another high quality free agent to join the team next offseason, and in less than 5 years Donnie Walsh will have completely transformed the team to one of the best in the NBA.  Write that down.

Is Carmelo Weighing on Current Knicks Player's Minds?

Some could also argue that the weight of the Carmelo Anthony situation has begun to weigh both on the Knicks players minds and shown with their performance on the court. While the Knicks have steadfastly remained they the team does not need Anthony to be successful, those with a strong knowledge of the situation understand that the Knicks are simply a second tier team without another superstar.  In Today's NBA it is hard enough to win a title with two superstars (as we have seen with the recent injury to Lebron James and the subsequent losses suffered by the Heat), Stoudemire has been great, but he needs another consistent scorer who can put up 25 each and every night.  A player that will smile and take that last second fadeway with their arms raised as they run off the court.  If the Knicks had Carmelo Anthony, would that last second defeat at the hands of the Celtics been a win? Maybe, maybe not.  But he would have loved the opportunity.  There is a reason why post players rarely take the last shot, they lack the ability to truly create their own shot.  The double team comes quick and then decisions must be made.  A decision that would be a lot easier for Stoudemire if he was kicking it out to his good friend Carmelo.

Knicks Looking to Bounce Back Against Suns!

The New York Knicks (22-17) are looking to bounce back from a dismal performance against the Sacramento Kings, as they take on the Phoenix Suns (17-21) in a Martin Luther King Day matinee at the World's Most Famous Arena.  The Knicks are 5-5 in their last ten, coming back down to earth after a glorious win streak followed by a great win over the league best, San Antonio Spurs (35-6).  While the Knicks have been uninspired as of late, the same can be said of the Suns, who suffered a convincing defeat at the hands of the Knicks on January 7th in the desert.  The Suns have struggled since the NBA landscape altering trade that saw the Magic becoming a powerhouse, and the Suns setting.  The Suns are led by Steve Nash (10.8 assists per game) and Vince Carter (17.8 points per game), but their veteran leadership has not been enough to keep the Suns relevant within the Western Conference.  The Knicks are going to look for Amare Stoudemire (26 points, 9 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game) to bounce back from his dismal shooting over the last four games, in which his health and durability have been questioned.  The Knicks will also look for Raymond Felton to neutralize the 2 time NBA MVP Steve Nash, as he was successful doing earlier in the year.

NBA LOCK OF THE NIGHT!!

JL (5-3, $2000) bounced back with the Bulls shellacking of the Pacers and is looking to continue rolling today.

NBA LOCK OF THE NIGHT!

Lakers +6 over the Clippers - $2000

The Lakers are rolling and will continue their dominance over the Clippers.  Blake Griffin is the latest phenom but the size of the Lakers will just be too much.