Now’s not the time for the Knicks to cave.
The two most recent reports on Carmelo Anthony were one from ESPN saying the Lakers are joining the Anthony talks and the other from the Denver Post saying that the Nuggets are likely to keep their star past the Feb. 24 NBA trade deadline.
The Lakers’ rumor is particularly concerning because the consensus seems to be that Anthony would sign an extension to stay in Los Angeles. But one notable problem seems to be that the Lakers do not want to part with oft-injured center Andrew Bynum, who would be the main piece in the deal with the Nuggets. And the Lakers already have Kobe Bryant, who dominates the ball and is capable of doing every Anthony does except a little bit better.
The Nuggets’ problem is that Anthony’s desire to only play in New York is well-known. It’s robbed Denver of any leverage they had. The Nuggets, and Anthony’s camp, are hopeful the Lakers’ possibility changes that. There is a risk that the Lakers will change their mind and let Bynum go, but you would assume the Knicks would get the chance to top that deal, and Donnie Walsh is savvy enough to know what’s reality and what isn’t.
If we have learned anything about the Nuggets through this process it is that they are in no rush to move Anthony. And if that swap becomes a reality, if the Lakers suddenly stop denying the possibility, then the Knicks should do what it takes to get Anthony. But they have waited this long and there’s no reason not to hold on for the final 15 days. Especially because the Nuggets should be starting to realize that keeping Anthony beyond the deadline will not lead to a championship.
On Tuesday night they put together a dreadful performance against the Rockets in a 108-103 loss at home. Their defense allowed D-Leaguer Ishmael Smith to penetrate at will, leading to wide-open shots both at the net on the perimeter. But more concerning was the lackluster offense and their determination to let Anthony dominate the ball witnessed by his 50-point, 0-assist performance.
It’s tough to blame his teammates at this point. How long do you have to hear that a player wants to leave before you start acting like it’s a foregone conclusion? And this team — currently seeded seventh in the Western Conference — is not as good as the one that was eliminated in the first round by the Jazz last year and miles behind the one that made it to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago. A championship is about as realistic as Anthony signing the three-year, $65 million extension to stay in Denver that has been on the table since the summer.
The Nuggets might have started to face that reality. These leaks could be proof that they or Anthony are panicking, which means the Knicks do not have to follow suit. Not to say the Knicks cannot sweeten the deal a little bit to get the Nuggets to finally complete a deal, but there’s no need to add a Landry Fields or Danilo Gallinari right now.
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The Post reported Wednesday (at the bottom of story) that the Knicks inquired about Aaron Brooks, but the Rockers were not interested in sending him to New York.
But it’s a situation that is deteriorating and worth monitoring. Brooks is growing increasingly disgruntled with the Rockets, which culminated him leaving the bench and going into the locker room after being sat down for the clutch minutes of the Rockets’ 97-95 win over the Grizzlies on Saturday. Brooks was suspended for the win over the Nuggets on Tuesday and returned in Wednesday’s loss to the Timberwolves, going 1-of-8 from the floor in 20 minutes.
Brooks has lost his starting job to Kyle Lowry and is frustrated that he did not get a contract extension last offseason after winning the Most Improved Player award. He is scheduled to be a restricted free agent, but that will depend on how the NBA’s CBA talks play out. Either way, Brooks’ future is not in Houston, and as it gets closer to the deadline the Knicks could look more appealing if there is not an abundance of interest and as Brooks’ stock drops.
He is a speedy guard, with respectable 3-point shot and an ideal for Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni’s offense.
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Now that Rick DiPietro is out with broken bones in his face, Kevin Poulin was happy to play the role of Islanders goalie who gets injured in bizarre ways.
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He’s got my vote for next starting quarterback at UConn.