A Month in Review of the Melo Trade

 

On February 21, 2011, the New York Knicks traded for superstar Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter. The Knicks also got Corey Brewer from the Timberwolves, but bought out his contract a few games later (so no need to mention him anymore). The Nuggets received Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, the Knicks' 2014 first round pick, two second-round picks the Knicks received from the Golden State Warriors in the David Lee sign-and-trade, and $3 million. Since then, the Knicks are 7-9 and the Nuggets are 10-4. That’s not what anyone expected to happen.

The Knicks got off to hot start with the new look with a 6-3 record in their first nine games. Since then, they’ve dropped six of seven including two to the Pacers, one to Detroit, and one to Milwaukee. They also lost to the Celtics in pathetic fashion. What’s been a constant in all these games. 

Chauncey Billups has been lost on the court. Four games after the trade, Billups was knocked out for six games with knee and quad injuries. Toney Douglas played the point during those games and the Knicks went 4-2. Let’s compare their stats since Billups has returned. In the last six games, Billups has 28 assists, 22 turnovers, and 95 points, averaging around 31 minutes. Douglas has 34 assists, 8 turnovers, and 81 points, averaging around 28 minutes. Douglas has been far more efficient, so Mike D’Antoni has to realize this and start Douglas while Billups gains more chemistry in practice until he can step up and truly lead the Knicks. It’s not all his fault though, just a big factor on the offensive end.

 The other reason is the team is lacking defensive presence. The Knicks will play defense if Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony lead by example and play it. So far, that’s only happened in three games, against the Heat, Hawks, and Hornets. Not in the other 13 games, all those other teams scored at least 96 points.

How about the Nuggets? I personally have only seen highlights of their games since the trade. They’ve lost national presence when they lost Anthony, but they shouldn’t care about that with a 10-4 record since the trade. Looking at their roster, they have amazing depth now. Aaron Afflalo, Tyson Chandler, Nene, Ty Lawson, and Kenyon Martin have started most of their games with Danilo Gallinari, J.R. Smith, Al Harrington, and Raymond Felton coming off the bench. All four of those guys on the bench could break off to make another team and compete to be a playoff team. Ty Lawson has managed the transition to starting point guard with ease since Billups left, averaging around 8 assists and 35 minutes.

Nuggets coach George Karl was forced to play his offense through Carmelo Anthony since the Nuggets drafted him, but that’s not how he wanted to do it. He has nine guys who could start on his team. All I can say is, Karl is a coaching wizard for making this work so quickly.

 
The trade gives New York a bigger upside in the long run. When free agency starts, Donnie Walsh (or whomever is GM) can have their picking and choosing to new fits for this team. Also, a summer of training camp will give this team for more chemistry and schemes the Knicks can use to outscore their opponents on any given night.

@abadlani91