Melo Drama

Carmelo Anthony

There is no doubt that if you've lived in the New Jersey/New York area than you have inevitably heard of a certain NBA basketball player who currently resides his talents in the Mile-high City. The back and fourth, 'will they?' 'won't they?' 'if they do will Chris Paul follow?', has been more interesting an more heart breaking turns than Ross and Rachel.

First there was the on-again, off-again relationship with Melo and the Nets. For what seems like ages the Nets and their owner, crazy Russian zillionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, have been courting Anthony and at times seemingly on the verge of landing the star. Unfortunately for Nets fans time and time again they have come up short. Whether it was not enough star power in New Jersey, not a good enough 3rd team, Melo not knowing if he'd sign the extension once a member of the Nets, or the Nets not wanting to pick up the redonkulous contract of Al Harrington the deal has just never been able to get done. 

Unfortunately for Nets fans the real reason that the deal didn't get done was that Melo wants to be a Knick. Unfortunately for Knicks fans this deal doesn't seem to be going too well. Knicks GM Donnie Walsh feels comfortable waiting this deal out knowing very well that if they don't get Melo by season's end they can just sign him without giving up any of their key pieces. The Nuggets see this and are in no rush themselves to give up their elite talent if they aren't going to get top value in return. The Nuggets could end up using rumors of other teams getting involved to help further motivate Walsh and the Knicks.
What should the Knicks and Nuggets do? And what about the Nets? Well here is what The Sports Undergrad thinks:

1. Denver should not give in to the threat of losing Melo for nothing and hurry into a deal where they feel they are being ripped off. Take up all the time until the deadline to push teams and get more teams involved in the sweepstakes. If the trade deadline comes and Denver loses Anthony in return for players like Wilson Chandler, Andy Routins, and a pick... Nuggets fans can officially consider themselves screwed.
2. Originally I wasn't opposed to the idea of waiting for the offseason for the Knicks tog get Anthony and if that fails just use that money to help the team in other places. (after all, I personally think there are other, cheaper moves that could help the Knicks) But, if the Knicks can somehow get Anthony with only giving up Chandler, Routins, Eddie Curry, and Anthony Randolph then that's a slam dunk. Talk about stealing candy form a baby, if the Knicks can pull that deal off all Knick fans can rejoice and the Garden will go nuts. If however, the Knicks can't score Anthony with that lay-up then they might want to consider keeping Galo, Felton and Fields  (Chandler's deal is up at the end of the year anyway) and try adding a few cheaper pieces that can do a lot for their team overall, if and only if they are somehow unable to get Melo in the offseason. Ideally I'd like to see them get a solid big man to put a long side Amar'e  who can play a little defense. (think New Jersey Nets PF, and current boy toy of the stunning Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries) They could also improve their bench by bringing in a back up point guard. But remember Knicks fans this is only if you can somehow not get Carmelo Anthony! But that seems highly unlikely right about now.
3. A great and very wise man once said "I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in." This is probably the best plan of action for the New Jersey Nets. It is clear owner Prokhorov has his mind set on entering their new arena in Brooklyn, there is no better way to do that than to bring in Melo. I know it seems possible and it probably sickens Nets fans just thinking about opening negotiations again. But the Nets need to be that girl Carmelo uses the get the much hotter girl, Knicks, jealous with. No matter how degrading that may seem the Nets need to make this happen by any means possible, and by "deal" I not only mean the trade but also getting Melo to sign the extension. 

By the way make sure to check out the Around the Keg blog for a funny and interesting perspective on various sports topics. Around the Keg Sports!


Class Dismissed,
The Sports Undergrad


SoS