Putting an end to discussions that seem to have been taking place daily, every hour on the hour, since the end of the Playoffs last season, Carmelo Anthony has finally left the Denver Nuggets for the New York Knicks. And while I'm sure many, myself included, are sad to see him go, no one can say this move was unexpected.
Its been no secret for a while now that Melo has been unhappy in his situation, feeling as though his talent and stardom weren't being used to their full potential. Although I still stand by my beliefs that if Coach Karl were healthy, the Nuggets could have gone much further in the Playoffs, they failed to prove themselves real contenders of the West, once again leaving Melo, an unquestionable superstar, in the shadows of players like Kobe Bryant.
What seems strange to me is that the Nuggets have been deep for a while now, dare I say it even one of the deepest in the league, but yet have not been able to really come together and be as explosive as they should be. Between injuries (Kenyon Martin for example) and attitude problems (J.R. Smith anyone?), the Nuggets have been faced with a handful of obstacles, unfortunately blocking their way to being the team they could be. Obvious examples aside (Melo, Chauncey Billups, etc.), with players like Ty Lawson, Chris Andersen, and Al Harrington, this team should have no problems going head to head with the best of the best, as individual strengths put together should deliver whatever is needed. But as fate has it, the Nuggets cannot seem to move past the little things, and so they must say bye to their hero Carmelo Anthony and start a new chapter.
But Melo is not the only one leaving the high city behind...as the trade goes, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman will join him, sending Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, and Timofey Mozgov to the Denver Nuggets, the Knicks' first-round pick in 2014 and the Warriors' second-round picks in 2012 and 2013,and $3 million in cash included in this as well. And in a separate move the Knicks will send Eddy Curry's contract, along with Anthony Randolph and another $3 million, to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Corey Brewer.
Do I think this was the best move for Carmelo Anthony? No. But I certainly think he could have done worse. While the combination of Melo, Billups and Amare Stoudemire sounds delightful, and after a handful of games may actually get them somewhere, the Knicks have lost some key talent such as Chandler and Gallinari, not leaving much of a bench for the big apple. The rumor mill seems to suggest that Chris Paul will be the next addition to this newly formed group, in which case the chance of the Knicks actually being a worthwhile team increases greatly, but until then, I'm not so sure things will go as smoothly for them as expected. But of course, only time will tell.
While I'm sure hearts are broken all over the place, clearly more so in Denver than anywhere else, I hope this decision is not the beginning of dozen of anti-Melo hate groups, as was the case when Lebron James announced his move to the Miami Heat. Beginning a Carmelo Anthony fan since he was at Syracuse, I wish him only the best, and hope his career really takes off the way he has always not only wanted it to, but truly deserved. He is an outstanding player and his talents should always be used at their full capacity. Welcome to the city that never sleeps Melo. I hope it treats you right.
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