In spite of the public panic in the city that never sleeps, pertaining to the Knicks blockbuster trade, that netted (pardon the pun) them Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets, it really is a bit rediculous to hear and read how there is almost a game by game countdown, as to how long it will take for the new look Knickerbockers, to become a consistently good or very good team, that is able to prevail over opponents on a regular basis, with the nucleus of the team composed of Anthony, Amare Stoudemire, and Chauncey Billups.
There is no question that they have struggled as a team to incorporate coach Mike D’Antoni’s system so far, in terms of getting positive results. There have been a few memorable wins, including one over Miami, and recently, a victory over an injury decimated Orlando Magic squad. The Knicks are good enough to tease their fans into some guarded optimism, but the frequent losses seem to have convinced some fans and media, that this acquisition of the New York born, and Baltimore raised Syracuse alumnus, may not have been a wise move.
In most games with the Knicks, Anthony has been productive on offense, to a level that matches his skill, although he has been criticized for not being attentive enough to the defensive part of the game. Melo has his own explanation for the tough month that is drawing to a close, with New York’s record as of Tuesday, 6-11 in March. He told the Associated Press: “ This month has been just brutal. It’s been nonstop ever since the trade. I came straight from the trade off the plane to play in a game. We’ve been playing every other day, nonstop, back-to-backs. …….But we knew as a team this was going to be a brutal month for us, so we just wanted to get through it to prepare for the playoffs.” Amare Stoudemire also agreed about the wear and tear of the schedule, referring to March as “ maybe the hardest month I’ve ever played in my career…….and on top of that, we’re trying to get used to our new teammates.” The bottom line, is that there is not enough depth on that roster, which can provide support, if anyone of the big three have an off night for any reason. The Knicks are a puzzle that is not yet complete, and wont be until additional talent is acquired, whether,as widely rumored, that might be New Orleans guard, and Anthony’s good friend, Chris Paul, or another player or two.
There is a tendency among most sports fans and many in the media as well, to want to evaluate trades in all professional sports, sometimes on a game by game basis. It may be fun to participate in those discussions, because initially there is no right or wrong answer.There are very few trades in any sport, that can be properly assessed after a few weeks or a couple of months. That is especially the case with blockbusters like this one. The truth of the matter, is that it will take a few years to properly grade the gamble taken by New York and Denver.
Suffice to say that if the Knicks qualify for the playoffs this season, in spite of their struggles, what team would want to play them in the first round ? They would be a very scary opponent for Miami,Boston, or Chicago.
The Nuggets have played very well since the trade, and they, especially coach George Karl, should be applauded for their smooth transition and winning ways. Even with that, it is way to early to conclude anything at all about this transaction. It may turn out to be a win-win scenario over time, and that is exactly the most important element in this discussion, that being time, as in a long time, to fairly evaluate this much discussed deal.
At some point in the future, this swap will likely be seen as a smart one by the Knicks, who in spite of their disappointing display overall, did add a superstar to their roster, and have given themselves the best chance they have had since the days of Patrick Ewing, to perhaps win a championship, if they can find the right kinds of players to fill out the rest of the roster.