Carmelo Finally a Knick

The trade details got tweaked along the way.  We lost Mozgov and gained Cory Brewer.

The Nuggets made out well.  Compare their haul to what Cleveland got for LeBron and there's no comparison.  The former Knicks will represent well in Denver and surprise that fan base.  The Knicks traded a lot of heart, talent, and good citizenship in this deal.  While none of these players are superstars of the Carmelo Anthony variety, Denver  fans need only examine the heated and frantic pleas of New York fans NOT to do the deal to realize they have acquired a core set of players who will compete at high levels for a long time.

Critics like to point out that the Knicks were *only* two games above .500 at the time of the trade.  Lost in the analysis are 6-8 games lost either early in the season due to unfamiliarity with Felton and STAT or during these trade talk times when the team lost focus.  Denver will rock in the West.  Book it.

On our end we all know Anthony is a perennial All-Star and a scoring machine.  And his availabilty in trade became a necessity for the Knicks.  You can't compete with Miami or Boston with what we had and expect a long playoff run.

But aside from Anthony the Knicks acquired a handful of talent hardened by George Karl and a number of valiant Denver playoff campaigns of recent years.  First that means that New York has bulked up for a playoff run.  Gone are half of the kiddie crew we nurtured and incoming are some hardened talents.

Let's break it down:

In Billups, the Knicks upgrade the most important position on the court.  While Felton's heart and energy will not be forgotten, in Billups the Knicks have a third All-Star who is a deadly three-point threat, floor-general, and someone who will get the ball to the right place at the right time.  He's a step or two older as well.

The insurance backup point guard the Knicks have been seeking was also part of this deal, Anthony Carter.  Carter is a pro who was buried on the bench in Denver but who maintains a professional composure to keep himself in shape and ready to play.  He's also a vet who will stabilizes  the bench.

And let's not forget Toney Douglas was kept out of the Denver trade.  He's will back up Billups and he's a defensive force to be dealt with.  He disspells all myths that the Knicks don't play defense.

So the point guard position is locked down.  If Boston considers Ray Allen and Miami considers Chris Bosch part of their "Big Three" then NY can credibly claim Billups as part of their "Big Three" as well.

At shooting guard what needs to be said about Landry Fields?  He's a throwback to the seventies Knicks - unselfish, gifted, and plays within his game.  Another youth who wasn't included in the Denver trade.

(to be continued)