Melo "resigning with knicks is first priority"

[dAdo dA dEvil]

The Melo hate is unreal to me. Even if the guy doesnt come at worse he's a 5-7 rang player in the NBA today. Media and these computer geeks have ruined hoop. I doubt he comes personally but I'd welcome him with open arms in a heartbeat. George Karl was on ESPN radio recently and said Melo and Kobe believes could work unlike the most others think. If you can sign Melo for 16-18mill range I'm all for it. Anything more then I can understand most of your issues with it. But the player himself is a GREAT PLAYER and if it was for tail end of his prime Kobe in 2009 Melo would have won a ring already in his NBA career

... got your back lee ...

... if he takes a pay cut then sign him ... i can see the Nuggets winning the finals against Orlando ... too bad Lakers got in the way ... the guy is great ... sign him and wait for K Love next year and we'll be fine ...

[leeprettyp]

Its not Melo hate, its just that a lot of people feel that if the lakers sign Melo to that max deal, thats it. Lakers are stuck paying that mammoth contract for a 2nd tier player with no other way to improve. If he's signing for 16 mil though, that a different story, but that doesn't sound at all realistic enough to even consider as a possibility.

Weirder things have happened Doc, the biggest issue I see in the state of Cali is this State Tax puts us a huge disadvantage for any player that would need to already take a pay cut to get here. But like I said if he were willing to take a paycut between 16-19mill then we'd be silly not to go get the guy. He can always make the money up in offcut endorsements, movies, etc.

[iamworthy]

I remember back when Kobe didnt make his teammates better

[LApwnd]

I remember back when Kobe didnt make his teammates better

Kobe proved otherwise for the 02' chip IMO but haters tend to ignore that fact because of the Det. finals and then again for B2B with Pau but some stating Pau deserves all the credit. What has Melo done to prove otherwise? Of the few NYK games I watched, the only time he passes is when he's doulbled/trippled team and even then he wants the ball back right after the pass, I'm shocked he even avg those assst #'s at all. I'm sure its NYK horrible offense but all he does on that team is stand around the perimiter waiting to jack up shots I never see a hint of play making for his teammates.

[Kilroy]

If Melo truly plans on remaining in NY, he's probably not planning to exercise his ETO and is waiting for 2015 when NYK is in a better position to retool. Amare and Bargs are killing them until they're off the books.

[LApwnd]

If Melo truly plans on remaining in NY, he's probably not planning to exercise his ETO and is waiting for 2015 when NYK is in a better position to retool. Amare and Bargs are killing them until they're off the books.

I think its the exact opposite....if he excercises his ETO this off-season he'll get a higher salary starting next year, if the team is going to continue to suck, he might as well get paid even more to do so going forward.

[Kilroy]

If Melo truly plans on remaining in NY, he's probably not planning to exercise his ETO and is waiting for 2015 when NYK is in a better position to retool. Amare and Bargs are killing them until they're off the books.

I think its the exact opposite....if he excercises his ETO this off-season he'll get a higher salary starting next year, if the team is going to continue to suck, he might as well get paid even more to do so going forward.

He makes 23,333,405 next season if he doesn't avail himself of the ETO...

I know he's eligable to make more next year, but given his desire to 'take a paycut' to stay in NY, do you think he will? Kobe's the highest paid in the league at 23.5 next season...

[LApwnd]

If Melo truly plans on remaining in NY, he's probably not planning to exercise his ETO and is waiting for 2015 when NYK is in a better position to retool. Amare and Bargs are killing them until they're off the books.

I think its the exact opposite....if he excercises his ETO this off-season he'll get a higher salary starting next year, if the team is going to continue to suck, he might as well get paid even more to do so going forward.

He makes 23,333,405 next season if he doesn't avail himself of the ETO...

I know he's eligable to make more next year, but given his desire to 'take a paycut' to stay in NY, do you think he will? Kobe's the highest paid in the league at 23.5 next season...

IMO I dont think he does, he probably has the same mentality as Kobe when Kobe was asked that question several years ago about taking a paycut. That money really just goes into the owners pockets, there's really no guranteed mgmt. will use that money wisely anyways and given the Knicks track record I think Melo will take ALL he can get.

[Kilroy]

Yeah I do too... But I think given Amare and Bargs contracts, it makes good financial sense for both Melo and the Knicks if he doesn't terminate and they set themselves up for 2015 with Melo as the highest paid cornerstone and some cap space to bring in some assets.

[Slava]

Melo staying in NY might be everyone's top priority.

[LApwnd]

Melo and NY are perfect pairing, overrated player and even more overrated franchise.

[TonyMontana]

Melo and NY and MDA are perfect Ménage à Trois , overrated player and even more overrated franchise with an overrated coach.

*FIXED*