STAT & Melo Will Work, And Here's Why

So for weeks and months everybody in the Basketball world was basically saying that the Knicks HAD to get the trade done for Carmelo Anthony to be relevant again in the NBA, to bring life back to the Knicks fans and the Garden, to show everyone they were headed in the right direction.

 So they finally complete the trade for Melo by giving up a few starters who are average at best, one of which has the ability to be like David Lee -- successful in D'Antoni's system and bum away from it -- I mean no offense, I love Gallo but you have to wonder if he's just a product of D'Antoni's fast-paced system. Luckily Denver runs a very fast offense as well so he should have a fairly comfortable adjustment. However, ever since the trade suddenly everyone is split on whether it was good, whether or not it will work out for the Knicks..... and I can't help but ask where this is all coming from?

It's quite simple. People want a reason to doubt. They need something to write; it's that easy to understand. Look through the glass my friends. Mike Francesa said a few days ago that everybody thought the same thing when the Knicks acquired Earl Monroe -- they believed that the Knicks would need to play with two basketballs for Earl & Walt Frazier to coexist.  But the thing that will transform this team is how Carmelo and Amar'e both change their games -- which is exactly what they do. They both knew that was the case before this trade went down. Prior to the trade Amar'e was all offense and no defense because he had to avoid getting into foul trouble since he knew the team needed him out there on the court from start to finish. With another big offensive presence, Amar'e can now focus on his defensive play.

Carmelo understand's that as well, as proven by the press conference to introduce him. The first thing Carmelo said at the conference was that they now had to focus on rebounding and defense. He acknowledged that the team has enough offensive ability to score 120 ppg, but to be successful they NOW have to focus on improving their defensive gameplay.Chauncey Billups reiterated that, by noting that it's not that simple to accomplish, but after they work at it fro 2 or 3 weeks their defense will improve drastically. Walt 'Clyde' Frazier said the other day said

"On the nights Earl was hot, I'd just keep giving him the ball.  These guys are both smart. They'll figure that out, too."

And that is exactly what Carmelo Anthony said.

"I'll just ride [Stoudemire's] coattails,"

There is no reason why these two cannot coexist. I honestly believe that Chauncey Billups will convince the coach Mike D'Antoni to emphasize defense a lot more. He'll probably tell him 'We can run the offense. We have that talent and that ability and the BBIQ to do that. What we need is for you to help us on the defensive end.'  I'd say to expect the Knicks to drop somebody and sign Earl Barron soon. I know they are signing Jared Jeffries but there is no way the Knicks can pass up on a solid rebounding center like Barron.