I love the Knicks trade

[Phil125]

As a Celtics fan I love this trade.  It makes the Knicks a good entertaining team that has no chance of winning a championship for the next decade.  I missed Knick games being fun.

James Dolan has to be the worst ownder in pro sports.  You can make an argument for Al Davis but he's senile.

[Cman]

As a Celtics fan I love this trade.  It makes the Knicks a good entertaining team that has no chance of winning a championship for the next decade.  I missed Knick games being fun.

James Dolan has to be the worst ownder in pro sports.  You can make an argument for Al Davis but he's senile.

TP.  I agree with your points. 
I also like this trade, because it now means other teams can move forward with their trade deadline plans.
Should be a fun time to monitor NBA news!
It also frees up some players so that the Cs can perhaps make a slight upgrade at the SF position. 

[Kwhit10]

The only way these "super teams" are going to win is if they can fill their bench with decent people who want low money.  With all the 'stars' on a few select teams that leaves all the other teams overpaying for everyone else.  Teams like the Celtics, Spurs, Lakers, and Mavs who are deep and have actually built a team will always be at the top.

[Phil125]

The only way these "super teams" are going to win is if they can fill their bench with decent people who want low money. 

I don't think you have to worry about the bench. The two best players and the coach on that team just don't play championship basketball.

[footey]

Actually, I think the Knicks are headed in the right direction. They have signed two Cornerstone forwards and a very good (though aging) PG. They will be in a position to make a play for another free agent after next season, when Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Dwight Howard could become available. They have the buzz of NYC which, like the glamour of LA, is enticing to many people including young NBA players. I think the Knicks are finally getting it right. 

[wdleehi]

They have three good players.  One of which will be a big expiring contract next year when these other teams will feel the pressure to trade their stars or watch them walk out.  

And as Melo just showed, you can force a trade in this situation to the team you want by refusing to sign an extension with other teams.  



The Knicks have put together two players that other stars want to play with.  They have a max (or near max) expiring contract.  And there is always vets out there willing to sign for low money in the search for a ring.  




Knicks made a great move by adding a true 2nd star.  In the NBA, stars win.  More then any other sport.  Successful teams pay the price for stars.  

[Phil125]

Knicks made a great move by adding a true 2nd star.  In the NBA, stars win.  More then any other sport.  Successful teams pay the price for stars.  

Stars win games and defense wins championships.  That team will never play one ounce of defense.

[nba is the worst]

They have three good players.  One of which will be a big expiring contract next year when these other teams will feel the pressure to trade their stars or watch them walk out.  

And as Melo just showed, you can force a trade in this situation to the team you want by refusing to sign an extension with other teams.  



The Knicks have put together two players that other stars want to play with.  They have a max (or near max) expiring contract.  And there is always vets out there willing to sign for low money in the search for a ring.  




Knicks made a great move by adding a true 2nd star.  In the NBA, stars win.  More then any other sport.  Successful teams pay the price for stars.  

I'm with Phil125 - these "stars" guarantee more disappointment in the playoffs for Knicks fans.

[Roy H.]

I think this was a trade the Knicks had to make.  Where were they going with a core of Amare / Gallinari / Chandler / Felton?  That team's ceiling seems to be the second round of the playoffs every year.

Obviously, Amare + Carmelo (plus Chauncey in the present) isn't enough to win a championship.  Their title chances will largely be shaped by what happens in the summer of 2012, with CP3, Deron, and Dwight.  However, the Knicks are now in position to set up a future title run, when they weren't before. 

[Greenbean]

I think this was a trade the Knicks had to make.  Where were they going with a core of Amare / Gallinari / Chandler / Felton?  That team's ceiling seems to be the second round of the playoffs every year.

Obviously, Amare + Carmelo (plus Chauncey in the present) isn't enough to win a championship.  Their title chances will largely be shaped by what happens in the summer of 2012, with CP3, Deron, and Dwight.  However, the Knicks are now in position to set up a future title run, when they weren't before. 

Exactly. CP3 is the next domino to fall.

This makes me want Dwight so much more in 2012. The East is set up to be super competitve for the next 5-6 years and I dont want the Celts to be left out.

We are talking about possible legendary playoff series.

Miami, Chicago, Ny, and Boston. 4 major US cities with championship rosters. Im not sure we have ever seen anything like this. If it is Orlando representing that 4th team instead of Boston I will be really sad.

[Who]

PG - Billups - average defensively
SG - Fields - very good defensively
SF - Melo - slightly above average defensively
PF - Amare - average defensively
C - Turiaf - slightly above average defensively

Looks like a solid defensive team to me. Their lack of depth will make things problematic whenever the starters aren't on the floor altogether though.

If they can acquire a top defensive center in the offseason and move Turiaf to the bench in the process ... NY will have a very good defensive squad.

[Who]

Obviously, Amare + Carmelo (plus Chauncey in the present) isn't enough to win a championship. 

I think an Amare, Chauncey and Carmelo troika is a good enough core to form a Championship caliber ball club.

They just don't have enough talent in their supporting cast.

[Moranis]

The Celtics did essentially the same thing as the Knicks i.e. gutted the team except for one star to pair with 2 other veteran stars.  The Knicks also kept a promising young player, just like the Celtics.  I doubt Fields develops into the player Rondo is, but you never know.  The Knicks did not however give up the 5th pick in the draft or multiple future firsts like the Celtics did.  Obviously Melo, Amare, and Billups aren't the defenders that Garnett, Pierce, and Allen were, but then again Melo and Amare are also much younger and have a much longer window.

The reality is, veteran players will sign for cheap money at the end of their careers for a shot at a title.  The Celtics know this first hand.  I don't know if the Knicks will hit that criteria, but it is certainly possible.  The Knicks can buy late first round picks and 2nd rounders to try and get lucky and maybe come away with a Big Baby, Erden, or if really lucky a Perkins type player as well.  

At the end of the day without the superstars nothing else matters, the Knicks now have 2 superstars.

[Phil125]

SF - Melo - slightly above average defensively
 

Melo is a horrible defender and going to be coached by a guy who is allergic to defense.

[Moranis]

PG - Billups - average defensively
SG - Fields - very good defensively
SF - Melo - slightly above average defensively
PF - Amare - average defensively
C - Turiaf - slightly above average defensively

Looks like a solid defensive team to me. Their lack of depth will make things problematic whenever the starters aren't on the floor altogether though.

If they can acquire a top defensive center in the offseason and move Turiaf to the bench in the process ... NY will have a very good defensive squad.

My concern is that Walsh and company convince Dolan that CP3, Williams, and Dwight are a pipe dream and get him to go hard after Perkins this summer.  They should have the cap room to make a fairly hefty offer to Perkins, which if nothing else would force the Celtics hand.