Even If Knicks Gave Away Promising Talent, Carmelo Anthony Installs Prominence

For now, anyway, it's about survival for the New York Knicks, an urban community that can finally sigh relief with the Carmelo Anthony acquisition to significantly cease the perpetual drama in the Big Apple, to diminish the mystery of uncertainty amidst the melodrama and even to abate prolonged and strange rumors which had been fueled by the over-hyped business issues.

This isn't the same team that we saw at the beginning of the season, not after the Knicks wisely chose to upgrade its roster, not after the Knickerbockers pulled off a massive deal, probably one of the most blockbuster deals in franchise history, for an opportunity, a chance to contend in the Eastern Conference.

All of a sudden, as the NBA advances near the midway point, the Knicks resurrected, and for once, aren't a mortal franchise deprived of talent or a shot to rise to preeminence or even into top-notch contention, maybe not this season, but a couple of seasons from now, if the Knicks manufacture talented role players to supplement in the company of a legit superstar tandem.

It's as if a party visited Broadway for a celebration to welcome the Knicks newest addition, and as it all ended so sweetly for New York; owner James Dolan finally relaxed after he won the Anthony sweepstakes over the Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov and his cryptic Nets. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers poured onto the streets, perhaps to crowd the busiest location in the urban town, thrilled over the business deal that sent Anthony to the Knicks, tempted to dispatch a horrid era of woes and heartaches when traditionally the franchise was once well-known in the NBA.

It was all done by Dolan, one of the richest owners in the league, when he moved late Monday night to put a halt to the drama that lingered forever it seemed. That's how the Knicks were brilliant buyers and also granted Anthony his wish to play in New York, a place that will uplift his professional status. It's the opposite of Denver, a place he called home, but he truly had the enthusiasm to join the Knicks and had regularly begged to migrate to the East Coast.

Thing is, if he had never pulled the trigger and traded for 'Melo, Dolan would have clearly been lambasted for turning down a proposed deal from the Denver Nuggets in hopes to obtain Anthony. Point is, if he had never aggressively invited in offers for the availability of the targeted star on the market, Dolan would have obviously been labeled a moron for not constructing a deal to lure Anthony to Broadway, where he'll be a primary asset for a revitalized basketball team that obliges fans.

There's no doubt that the Knicks needed Anthony, just as much as he really wanted to wear a Knicks uniform, that fans implored for him and he wanted to form a sturdy nucleus with Stoudemire. All along, the Knicks were one player away from climbing into contention, and with Anthony, a clutch superstar and one of the centerpieces to the recreation of a championship-caliber team, New York has reclaimed relevancy and ended abysmal disasters.


The reality is that the mediocrity has faded away, as the Knicks are at long last, relevant by the creation of strong talent to frighten its opponents if they dominate at will. What could be a way to bolster the likelihood of a championship, is clearly the main attraction on Broadway, particularly if he delivers the prize to New York. The fear of gambling a promising lineup wasn't a problem for Dolan, a brave chairman who decided to trade his stars in the future in exchange for Anthony, the Brooklyn-born All-Star forward and former Syracuse star.

When he chose to send his promising stars elsewhere, mostly anxious to win a title sooner than later, the Knicks theoretically vaulted to the top of a premier franchise. For months, as we know already, Anthony had aimed to be a resident of the Knicks, and indeed, his dream came true after all. Growing up in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Brooklyn, he was optimistic that he'd suddenly land with the Knicks as they plan to retool in what has been a rebuilding mode.

It's apparent that the Knicks ambitious plan to likely bring in either Chris Paul or Deron Williams next season is the next priority, when Dolan was dauntless to do away with point guard Raymond Felton, 26, although he averaged 17 points and 9.0 assists. That is, of course, only a bit of the nucleus lost. The price for Anthony was steep, but the Knicks are winners after all and benefited in the end.

This forced Dolan to make drastic maneuvers in which he traded his two talented forwards. He shipped off Danilo Gallinari, a sharpshooter who had posted nearly 16 points a game, and he sent away Wilson Chandler in that deal also, a shooter who was having a breakthrough season. Throw in his rookie center Timofey Mozgov, who was sent to the Nuggets.

So mostly, the Knicks mortgaged the team's future to take a gamble on 'Melo, daring enough to threw in his club's 2014 first-round pick, two second-round picks it possessed next year and in 2013 from the Warriors, $3 million in cash. Alas, he could have sadly ruined his relationship with veteran general manager Donnie Walsh, a mastermind who may opt to leave after he had disapproved of selling much of its current roster.

Was Dolan listening to Isiah Thomas, the juvenile manipulator and instigator? Maybe he took advice from a former NBA personality with no coaching personality whatsoever. Maybe he's close to rehiring Thomas, coach of Florida International University, a mediocre basketball program with no driven mindset or spirit.

If he does rehire Thomas, we can imagine the dispirited souls of basketball fans in Time Square and the local tabloids ridiculing the outrageous decisions. Meanwhile, the Knicks received Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman and Anthony Carter. In a three-way deal, obviously, the Knicks traded Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to the Minnesota T-Wolves and will reportedly send Corey Brewer in return.

The awful thought of it is the Knicks gave up all of this for Anthony, and in all honesty, the Nuggets amazingly earned more in return, although the Knicks win the 'Melo sweepstakes. So this deal won't be a waste by the offseason, Anthony is expected to be given a three-year, $65 million extension. The addition of Billups is useful for the fact that he provides veteran leadership, but at the age 34, he is well past his prime.

The folks on Seventh Avenue will still celebrate for, surprisingly, the stud Landry Fields, an impressive rookie, who wasn't part of such a colossal package. Although he's the star player everybody in New York longed for, Walsh had not expressed interest in Anthony and didn't envision him in the future plans.

Whatever anybody believes, the Knicks improves greatly, without question.

Knicks Could Implode With Isiah Thomas Rehiring, James Dolan Is to Fault

There is, no doubt, a dumbfounded surprise immensely is purging the feasibility of the recovery on a wealthy franchise. But with impetuously pulling off bad choices to solidify an uncompetitive texture, the New York Knicks, a team tormented of Isiah Thomas’ acquisitions and lawsuit in his regime as an executive running a mediocre organization, is constantly punctuated by troubles or afflictions that dismantle hopefulness.

In retrospect, the return of Thomas is utterly repulsive and risky as the Knicks are seeking to rebuild as a prime contender and escape the disastrous letdowns. With any improvement in a doomed culture, the daunting assignment of revamping an unfavorable team is to assign someone other than Thomas the consultant role.

But evidently, however, the Knicks are foolishly trusting in a heedless and insidious man who stifled the Knicks on the possibilities of rising as a flourishing contender in the Eastern Conference. So often it’s the devastating egos that threatens, and then suddenly ruptures a developing team with all the drama.

He is, without debate, a consultant for the Knicks, but could potentially sabotage the pursuit of a reconstructed organization and could malign the team’s image. The most impressive thing about this confusing hiring, though, is what was on the mind of owner James Dolan, who wrongly allowed Thomas to rejoin the Knicks and employed an embattled executive to endure in making all the drastic advancements and decision-making. That’s genuinely not such an exceptional idea when he is reputed to be the next general manager and demand much credit in the front office, despite that he is disapproved and chastised for greatly embarrassing and slaughtering the Knicks.

If ever there were a less stubborn and inattentive ownership, the reunion with Thomas would have never happened. By reputation, he wouldn’t have qualified, and shouldn’t have been hired in the first place for leaving behind stains and heavy burdens when his successor, Donnie Walsh, arrived to eradicate destruction that had poisoned and hindered the persistent vanity of reaching unbelievable heights.

Therefore, the truth is that Thomas is ultimately justified as someone who arrogantly initiates confrontation and divides a unified core, even though he assembled a fairly reliable team, but in the end, it collapsed as players abruptly left to avoid the discontent and verbal feuds. Why must the Knicks, as one of the wealthiest enterprises with an intellectual chairman, bring aboard the instigating and adolescent Thomas, who rapidly dragged down the assurance?


Consider it a misfortune, at a time the Knicks were looking to rise on the NBA scene as a growing and young core, that they chose to rehire Thomas to be affiliated with the team he badly mishandled and let down time and time again. Instead of curing mediocrity and restoring a sense of righteousness, the maniacal feuds between him and former point guard Stephen Marbury delayed the Knicks progress of sprouting as typical opponents.

It’s amazing how no one took notice of the time when a federal court jury found Thomas’ employer, Madison Square Garden and Dolan guilty on a sexual harassment lawsuit. And nonetheless, the Knicks are giving a troubled Thomas a second chance, unwilling to quit on him even when he cost the team $11 million in a shameful lawsuit, and even when he traded the No. 9 pick overall in the 2010 draft to Phoenix in the Marbury deal.

It’s too bad Knicks fans cannot fire Dolan. It’s impossible to fire the chairman of the team, when he possibly wouldn’t fire himself until he sells the team. But as long as Dolan is the owner of the Knicks, the disoriented and bombastic franchise will topple. A few days ago, Dolan announced that he allowed Thomas to return, perturbing fans awaiting a postseason appearance, and better yet, a championship appearance.

But none of that is happening anytime soon, and as long as Thomas is voicing the calls, the Knicks fans are faced with sadness, anguish and hopelessness, while anxious to figure out why Dolan is fascinated with Thomas. He’s fortunate the Knicks have handed the general manager gig to him, arguably the most powerful assignment as Dolan continuously engages in pampering Thomas, even when he underachieved and failed constructing a productive team or installing urgency of managing the most dysfunctional team in the NBA.

For nine consecutive seasons, it has been painful to watch and endure the disappointing losses, but now it should be more hurtful to hear the Knicks hand the hardest task and heavy responsibilities to Thomas. In every way, he hadn’t delivered a winning or an efficient team and was unsuccessful in overhauling a lousy team, but was always in disputes with Marbury and unwisely demolished the Knicks when he overpaid Jerome James. It’s still really bonkers that he tossed out unproven money to Eddy Curry. In other words, Dolan is rehiring a fool, a fool, I tell you.

For all the damage he caused, there’s no way in my mind I would have brought back Thomas. Outside of the world’s famous venue, the Madison Square Garden, that is, they should have hung a sign on the door or placed a billboard on a ten-story building nearby that said “NO THOMAS ALLOW, NO BRAIN DEAD IDIOT ALLOW!”

But this hiring is enough to make me nauseated and disgusted, with the Knicks refusing to understand that he didn’t only destroy New York, but the Continental Basketball Association as well. There are red flags, Dolan. However, you ignored everyone. You rehired him. Without reflecting back on the misery, he desperately gave the duties to Thomas, ignoring the availability of Golden State’s GM Chris Mullin, a familiar name that Walsh requested Dolan to hire.

Now that Dolan has similar habits as the Oakland Raiders sullied owner Al Davis, he’s watching a promising franchise attenuate completely by refusing to listen to Walsh demands after he pledged that he would be able to voice all the personnel decisions. Well, he lied. And he whispered sweet things in his hear, and as usual, Walsh fell for it.

It was an elementary strategy for alluring the masterminded architect, but according to reports he is distraught with Thomas rejoining and threatened to quit. In a matter of time, the local tabloids in New York will likely ridicule the Knicks and Dolan for making the dumbest choice by giving Thomas the duties of recruiting and assisting the franchise, as the newspaper stands may become the hottest spot in the urban communities.

There were, however, other candidates more worthy, such as Mullin, Kevin Pritchard or Mark Warkentien, but out of all the potential candidates to fill in the vacancy, he was aroused with Thomas, something I never understood. To put it into perspective, it was a very faulty choice, a regrettable decision that wasn’t worth the hassle.

So now Dolan has confidence that he’ll be a brilliant recruiter, meaning Thomas can talk Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul into joining forces with Amar’e Stoudimire in New York, and eventually he’ll become the general manager. But as we know, Thomas is inept. Dolan is a fool. And I am his worst critic. This is a disadvantage and a downfall, but we can enjoy it before it shrinks greatly. And perhaps, it won’t be very long before it happens.

Good luck.

Knicks Gets Stoudemire Amid Rebuilding Stage, but Need LeBron at Garden

It’s a no-brainer within a doleful sporting community that the biggest and cleverest makeover happening on Fifth Avenue is the New York Knicks, reducing all the ridiculous signings and additions that tragically dragged down the richest franchise for all the ill-advised upgrades.

There’s a brighter chance the Knicks will intensify the volume in New York, louder than the typical opera heard daily on Broadway -- the active location in an urban environment that will soon welcome Amar’e Stoudemire, an aspired superstar ready to contend in a high-market business and hoist a champion. It’s virtually clear that he’s a needful prize amidst a free-agency frenzy, when all the focus swirls around the recruiting bid revolving LeBron James -- the more attractive megastar during the most anticipated free-agent class in NBA history.

And while it’s the biggest class for sale in the market, not to mention the most hype generating mysteries and speculations, the Knicks cleared a bundle of salary-cap space last winter and intended to reach an agreement with James. But it figured that New York was more intrigued in signing a big man to mend the interior game and build a massive post game.

For a very long time, the Knicks lacked a powerful roster and haven't been thrilled by much success since the 1990s era, when they were deeply artistic and effectual and when they had the beneficial pieces such as Patrick Ewing, Allen Houston and John Starks. The local residents in the Big Apple are gushing over Stoudemire, who can sign an enormous contract for five years and worth $100 million no later than Thursday, breathing a sign of relief and having much gratitude in the recent upgrading.

He delivered remarkable dunks in the desert, aggressively ran the floor and had self-awareness, an energized and useful necessity formerly uplifting the Phoenix Suns when he was a resident in the desert the last eight seasons. For those of you not familiar with his productivity and scoring ratio over the last eight years, he had polishing numbers and averaged a staggering 21.4 points per game with a 54.4 field-goal percentage, though he had an easier task sharing the ball with an elite point guard, Steve Nash, who dishes off quality passes and stockpiles assists.

While some are worried whether his prosperous post presence and scoring would descend, Stoudemire can rise and be a remedy on an unlucky franchise that had issues and were delayed by draining misfortunes. Surely, he heightens the chances in Madison Square Garden, despite that he’s not the captivating attraction all New Yorkers admire watching in the world’s most famous venue.

It’s unveiling that he will draw a national audience and expand ticket sales for a depleted crowd within a high-market region, a location where temptations and expectations are immense. No disrespect to Amar’e, but he’s not King James. However, he’s the new addition and a marquee player to earn significant stardom without even officially signing his signature on documents.


It was only a matter of time before the Knicks and Stoudemire reached an agreement, when executives were leaning towards grabbing the 27-year-old center/forward during his tour in the lively town and after spending hours at owner James Dolan’s party last night, all indicators that he was close to finalizing a deal with the Knicks.

As the basketball lords wait anxiously for James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh to decide their futures, Stoudemire toured the sites of the Big Apple and began his pleasant afternoon having brunch with Mike D’Antoni and then glanced at fireworks at Dolan’s summer estate. It was clear that if he had attended a Yankees game, he would have been implored and pampered at the colossal palace where the enthusiastic fans gulp on expensive ribs and purchase a glass of beer, becoming intoxicated before the seventh inning stretch comes.

My guess is that he felt welcomed, sitting behind home plate with his agent, hearing the warm receptions and amiable chants. What’s interesting to see now is whether the Knicks could woo James, who might be willing to join Stoudemire and elevate his legacy in a city where the fans have tampered and recruited for the premier prizes in free agency, realizing Amar'e somewhat has an interior presence and if James does come to New York he can be a counterpart -- but a missing piece that could dismay Cleveland.


While the presence of a global megastar would build a foundation and be an increase in revenue, based on his enthralling accomplishments and proficient traits on the court, he’ll wait until after a three day Nike camp in Akron is over, a festivity he’s hosting for the top high-school recruits.

Realizing that it would be awkward to participate with his native town and work with growing prospects outside of Cleveland, James is expected to make an announcement and sign by the end of the week, whether his new address is at South Beach, at his rocking town, at Brooklyn, or even at Madison Square Garden.

But as of now, the Knicks formally met with Stoudemire to organize a deal that will benefit his living arrangements and solidify his chances to winning a championship. It’s obvious that his presence will make an immediate impact, but it may take a few seasons before the Knicks contend on the grandest platform.

“I feel great about being a pioneer and showing my leadership,” Stoudemire told reporters at Madison Square Garden.

But sometimes there are hidden flaws when you wonder about his blemishes, of course, when it involves Stoudemire, a 6-foot-11 forward who has battled with ailments and defensive inefficiencies. Remember, he had four knee surgeries and microfracture surgery, but played at an all-star level in the postseason as the Suns benefited by his physicality and effort.

Not long ago, they advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time under D’Antoni in Phoenix. With a much-improved Stoudemire, maybe he will tighten the fragile defense and help the Knicks erase their bungles. Last season, the Knicks failed miserably in stopping penetration and defending the perimeter, allowing opponents to shoot a league-best 48.6 percent, the obvious evidence that D’Antoni is best known for his up-tempo style offense.

Some will consider it a risky and ill-advised move by guaranteeing Stoudemire with a max offer. In this situation, it’s not bad to take such a risk, given all the helpless travails and what he can bring to the table, with his incredible size advantage and instrumental force in the middle. If the Suns would have offered him a max contract for five years, and if he was assured a profitable paycheck and more minutes, he may have considered staying in the desert instead of departing elsewhere.

This offseason, the rebuilding project has been done brilliantly, following the clever business plans by president Donnie Walsh and D’Antoni, who both brought much hope to the town two years ago and gave reason for Spike Lee to believe in the rebirth of the Knicks. As for the troubling nonsense in Phoenix, you wonder if Stoudemire can monitor his self-control and attend all team meetings, unlike a few years ago when he was dispirited about undergoing rehab and was careless about his teammates and coaching staff.

There were moments when he felt disengaged and worthless, distancing himself from his teammates and became a cancer within a diverse organization that was bothered by an uproar. But even though he was a saboteur, Stoudemire is solely appreciated and admired heavily for his assurance and energy.

If he wanted, he could be a general manager today, following his announcement that his motive was to persuade San Antonio’s Tony Parker and Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, who are both confident of building a Superteam in New York and playing with Stoudemire -- aiming to win his first title and obtain eminence in a new environment.

His self-proclaimed nickname is STAT—it’s not representing statistics—but signifies how to “Stand Tall and Talented.” At least we know he has matured and mellowed as a reliable teammate, a commodity missing at times in Phoenix and caused much disappointment for his underperformance.

But now, he’s the biggest building block for the Knicks, a gigantic man joining a franchise with a sturdy front-court if the Knicks re-sign center David Lee and hold on to forward Danilo Gallinari. Meanwhile, there are enduring questions whether James will join forces with him and dish off passes, playing alongside Stoudemire, a post-present and pick-and-roll player.

For now, he gives us something to gush over.

For LeBron, Flight No. 23 Next Destination Is New York

Considering the NBA has turned into an entertaining site, rather than an average basketball contest, LeBron James is globally admired across the world and emerged into the worldwide leader in basketball. If he migrated to Europe, the Euroleague would grasp our attention and routinely become an organic site for entertainment I suspect.

The entertainment capital of the world doesn’t reside in Los Angeles, Chicago, or even Cleveland; the town where amusement precisely rocks. The famous rock band, the Beatles, might have rocked the town of Cleveland, aggrandizing the music industry of course.

But not since 1969 has sporting supremacy rocked staining a starved sports town, cursed with sporting indignities. The Shot, The Fumble, The Drive and The Choke are features of the hapless town’s debacles, which held an entire community under affliction until James engendered and rejuvenated greatness in Cleveland

Calmly, a flustered fan base waited and welcomed in the arrival of a newborn superstar, James, to overhaul a renaissance era. Greeted with open arms, James emerged into a global superstar and franchise icon, showcasing high-flying dunks and unprecedented up-tempo style, which no other athlete could imitate.

Lately, observers are curious and speculating on LeBron’s next destination. A departure from Ohio to a new state is crestfallen for average Ohio natives, but the Ohio native himself, cannot appear anywhere without been pestered with endless questioning, regarding his next home when he’ll become a free agent in 2010.

Guessing with all the idolatry and praise he offers to the Big Apple, it delivers unanimous vibes to overjoyed Knicks fans that King James’ next flight is a one-way ticket to New York. In addition, James is a popular superstar and suitable for playing in publicized state.

He fits in well, given the enthusiastic reception shown proudly to the New York Yankees in recent memory. Remember, James made his presents at the American League playoff game in Cleveland a few years ago, and elicited controversy for wearing a Yankees’ cap when the Indians hosted New York.

That’s not all.

He co-hosted the NBA All-Star Weekend party last February with good friend and Nets co-owner Jay-Z. But what bothered Cleveland fans the most, was the promotion of his shoe when Nike announced the introduction of a new shoe endorsed by LeBron containing pinstripes and Yankees' colors, specifically created to produce revenue in New York. From all the chronicles, it is logical to forecast where Flight No.23 will wind up come next summer.

LeBron’s lifestyle will drastically relocate from the rock and roll site to the biggest stage on America at Madison Avenue. A Night on Broadway will transform into A Night on LeBron’s Stage, and longing fans will suddenly get their wishes. At the world’s most famous arena, each time the King enters the building, an energetic crowd goes nuts.

In a celeb atmosphere, fans share their appreciation for LeBron in an entertaining contest where all eyes anxiously stare at the league’s most entertaining guard, waiting for the next breathtaking moment to turn it into a Kodak moment. On Seventh Avenue, the communities' love for LeBron is obvious with the advertisement of a 10-story billboard, attempting everything to persuade the league’s most admired star.

If so, they’ll become the next witnesses of the high-flying, action-packed intensity. Whenever LeBron showcase an epic masterpiece at the Madison Square Garden, fans lobbies for his assistance in the 2010 season. Turns out, fans are thrilled watching and worshiping James more than the Knicks as a team. The sporting scene alters an entertaining and intense show, erupting a screaming party among celebs and non-celebs.

In the course of a century, players have elevated to an apex, posting high-scoring stats, dazzling observers who stares onto the hardwood from inside the world’s most notable arena. Before LeBron even came along, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan dazzled and finished nights off in an epic theater. A year from now, LeBron’s legacy might live on at New York, where he can rejuvenate a downcast town and uplift the Knicks as he has done for the Cavs for the entire decade.

Immediately, his presence will produce ticket sales, television ratings and apparel as LeBron gradually emerges into a role model and celeb. The Knicks are willing to pay a stud as dominant and famous as the King, which explains their reason for clearing salary space. President of basketball operations, Donnie Walsh, clearly knows what type of superstar fans is pleading for in renewing aspiration.

And the Knicks as an organization knows a superstar is important if seeking to regain spotlight and return to championship favorites. Fittingly, LeBron is coach Mike D’Antoni’s guy mainly for the up-tempo offensive system he’s committed to running, and with LeBron’s sterling playmaking it can bring memories back to MSG. His ability to drive in traffic and find open shooters is helpful to an undefined team.

In Cleveland, LeBron is fantastic at expanding the floor and racing up and down the court to create peerless plays. Being an unselfish superstar who believes in passing the ball first and getting teammates involved reminds us he’s the reigning NBA’s Most Valuable Player, after stockpiling the most votes last season. He’s also one of the richest athletes in salary and endorsements, and an idol for children globally at the age of 24, which are admirable honors.

It remains uncertain if LeBron will actually take his next flight to New York, though I personally believe all the speculations and predictions on that his next flight is to the Big Apple. On July 1, the entire world is going to be on LeBron Watch, trying to figure out his next destination.

As of now, we are curious to see where he lands, counting down each day and wondering if he’ll abandon his native town. One thing left on his agenda is winning his first championship, following multiple titles elsewhere if he decides to migrate elsewhere. Amid the season, LeBron is focus on winning a title with Cleveland and ignores everlasting speculations, pondering every NBA free agent rumor.

He’ll, indeed, be free to move across country next summer. If he leaves, it probably will be for NY.