O.T. - "Does not want to compete"

Post #1 » by **Mr. E** » Thu Aug 3, 2017 3:13 pm

I keep seeing this phrase around these forums.

It is always in regards to Carmelo Anthony, as one might imagine. The general use has been that Anthony "does not want to compete" because he won't expand his preferred destination list beyond Houston and...well, Houston.

I see people state that if Carmelo "wanted to compete" then he'd accept a deal to the Cavs, the Thunder, the Blazers, the Washington Generals, etc. I do not understand what they are saying. How would Melo be "more of a competitor" if he went there rather than Houston?

Houston had a better record than all of those teams. Houston has greatly improved their roster while maintaining strong consistency with key starting and bench players. Houston has a bench, front office stability and a core roster that is set for years.

I'm thinking that the "if he wanted to compete" narrative is being written so as to begin framing Carmelo Anthony as "the Bad Guy" if the Knicks do end up trading him to Houston, or if he is bought out. It seems to me that he is pushing to go to the one team that actually has a fighter's chance of going against the Warriors. I'm still favoring the Champs in that scenario, but at least there should be a fight.

K_chile22 · Post #2 » by **K_chile22** » Thu Aug 3, 2017 4:31 pm

I've only seen it from bitter Cavs fans who thought they were the leader to get him most of the off season :lol:

texasholdem · Post #3 » by **texasholdem** » Thu Aug 3, 2017 4:56 pm

So what is the situation if the Knicks do buy him out. Is it basically just like Josh Smith and the Pistons. We'd keep Anderson and get Anthony for the vet minimum for 1 year? Ryan could still be useful off the bench.

K_chile22 · Post #4 » by **K_chile22** » Fri Aug 4, 2017 1:00 am

texasholdem wrote:So what is the situation if the Knicks do buy him out. Is it basically just like Josh Smith and the Pistons. We'd keep Anderson and get Anthony for the vet minimum for 1 year? Ryan could still be useful off the bench.

Yeah, but then they won't have bird rights, so retaining him would be an issue. Not preferable

texasholdem · Post #5 » by **texasholdem** » Fri Aug 4, 2017 3:36 am

K_chile22 wrote:
texasholdem wrote:So what is the situation if the Knicks do buy him out. Is it basically just like Josh Smith and the Pistons. We'd keep Anderson and get Anthony for the vet minimum for 1 year? Ryan could still be useful off the bench.

Yeah, but then they won't have bird rights, so retaining him would be an issue. Not preferable

That might be true but it would be a free look at how the three could play together. If they make the conference finals it will be a success and Anderson will be easier to move with just 2 seasons left and Gordon should be easy to move and Ariza is expiring. So they could use that space to sign him and re-sign Paul and Capela, whose Bird rights they will have. It will be a lot of money tied into 4 players but better than giving up too many draft picks.

Basketball1981 · Post #6 » by **Basketball1981** » Tue Aug 29, 2017 10:27 am

The does not want to compete stuff is complete and utter bull. As a knick fan I can tell you that Melo definitely IS a competitor. Remember 2011 when he joined the Knicks. We weren't good back then and many star FAs had ditched us over the years. Putting himself in the spotlights and trying to turn the Knicks around surely needs someone with a competitive spirit.

That being said however, Melo is also after the money big time. It is not clear what is more important to him, the money or the ability to win. Many say money is his biggest motivator. He could have joined NY in 2011 just a couple months later during FA so we wouldn't have to give up any assets. Howver that would have entailed him taking a financial risk due to the CBA change. Melo declined that and there were rumors he'd be traded to BKN if the Knicks didn't pony up. So that forced out hand.

Melo was also happy in NY despite the losses piling up. He actually wanted to finish his career here despite no shot at winning anything. This type of stuff makes some question his competitiveness. I can however tell you that he definitely is a competitor on the court. There was a time where he even played very solid defense for us. He is definitely not afraid of the big moments. The reason why he insists on Houston is threefold:

1.CP3---Melo and D'Antoni to not have a great relationship and I don't think he'd have Houston on his list without CP3. These guys have been talking for years about playing together.

2.Houston team---This team is strong enough to be a top team over the next 2-3 years (till Melo and CP3 decline more strongly). They are a playoff lock.

3.which leads to reason 3: With CP3 and Harden here he can opt IN for the final year of his contract. I think it is obvious that at this point Melo will havve trouble getting another HUGE contract. 28mill. in his final year is something he does not want to give up on. With Houston he knows he'll be on a strong team for the next 2 years. In Cleveland, if Lebron leaves, he may be looking at another trashy situation basketball wise. Thus could be forced to opt out so that he can join a winning situation. For someone like Melo who prioritizes money , Cleveland would be a very risky move. If Melo had an expiring contract, I think he would be much more open to joining other teams. I think the only reason he is considering Portland is that 1)Lillard and McColum and Nurkic are young and that team will also be very solid for years to come. Portland does take care of their players in Free agency. Portland is also the type of team/town that if Melo joins them and they have two solid playoff years---that ownership would be inclined to give Melo a final good contract to keep the team intact. Melo knows that. That's why I think he'll extend his list to Portland if it is 100% sure that a deal with Houston cannot get done.

MovieMuscle · Post #7 » by **MovieMuscle** » Mon Sep 4, 2017 8:35 am

texasholdem wrote:
K_chile22 wrote:
texasholdem wrote:So what is the situation if the Knicks do buy him out. Is it basically just like Josh Smith and the Pistons. We'd keep Anderson and get Anthony for the vet minimum for 1 year? Ryan could still be useful off the bench.

Yeah, but then they won't have bird rights, so retaining him would be an issue. Not preferable

That might be true but it would be a free look at how the three could play together. If they make the conference finals it will be a success and Anderson will be easier to move with just 2 seasons left and Gordon should be easy to move and Ariza is expiring. So they could use that space to sign him and re-sign Paul and Capela, whose Bird rights they will have. It will be a lot of money tied into 4 players but better than giving up too many draft picks.

Don't think the Rockets are going to be interested in an even older Melo a year from now. They'll probably be going all out to land LeBron. I hope the Knicks get stuck with Melo if that new stubborn GM really doesn't want to budge now.