With A'mare Stoudemire being the Knicks only maximum acquisition this off-season, New York has enough salary cap space to sign another maximum free agent in 2011. Not only are Knicks' front office associates and fans mindful of this, but Carmelo Anthony seems to be mindful as well. The Nuggets' franchise forward has recently stated that he has no timetable when it comes to signing the $65 million, 3-year extension that Denver has on the table for him.
So how does this have any bearing on the New York Knicks? Melo hasn't come out and officially said anything about playing in New York. Or has he?
Carmelo said that he will make his decision based on his family's best interests. So what exactly do we know about Anthony's family and personal life? He was born in Brooklyn, played his college ball at Syracuse and was recently married to his fiance, LaLa Vasquez, this summer. Anyone notice a common denominator? I'll help you out - New York City.
At Anthony's star-studded wedding this summer, in which many top pros were in attendance, Hornets' guard Chris Paul stated that Anthony, Stoudemire and himself were in the position to form a "Big Three" of their own in New York. We now know that it seems that Paul was just blowing smoke, but Melo may have taken that scenario into careful consideration. And why shouldn't he? New York has been yearning for a perennial all-star, something they haven't had since Patrick Ewing. Anthony could not only step in and fill this void but may even be able to win that ring that eluded Ewing for all those years. That is of course if Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni can surround both Melo and A'mare with the proper supporting cast.
Detract what you may, skeptics and proponents alike, but I think it will be just one more year Knicks' fans. One more year.
Unfortunately, I have to agree. In all honesty, basketball is not my #1 mindset. I don't follow it all that much, but I do know a little bit. I am a guy afterall.
ReplyDeleteI do have to agree about this just being "another year" for the Knicks. Even if they do pick up another top free agent, it is going to be tough to drive a franchise that has recently been lingering around the bottom on the league wins list in recent years, and take them to a playoff bound season. I despise fans and writers who have a mindset to think that one player can lead a team to victory. Can't be done!! It takes so much more. We learn it as children playing at the YMCA or Boys and Girls Club, TEAMWORK wins games. Not one all-star. Look at past dynasties. Lakers had Shaq AND Kobe. Bulls had Jordan AND Pippen AND Rodman. And perhaps I am getting a bit premature, but let's look at the roster for the Miami Heat this upcoming year, Or "sell out city" as I am calling it. Not to mention, the potential of Brandon Marshall in the future haha