NYSport wrote:I didn't read through the entire thread, so excuse me if I sound a bit redundant. I think I'm starting to see where some of the guys who are indifferent are coming from when they say they want to ride this team out at least until the season is finished. As this team continues to improve and win games, as a fan I can't help but feel same way sometimes. After all, these are the same guys (Wilson, Gallo, etc) that we watched through thick and thin as they matured into the players that they are now. You never wanna lose "one of your guys." Especially when they are playing really well, and the guy that's being rumored to replace them is playing under his standards.
However, at the end of the day I still believe this is a playoff team, but not a contender for a championship. As a fan who started watching the Knicks in the Jordan era, being exited out of the playoffs year in an year out is its own kind of torture. I've never been one to say that we should throw the farm at Melo, or even give a generous offer for that matter. Just to give a minimal (not to be confused with low balling) trade offer and let Denver decide if they are willing to accept it or not. I also have maintained that there a better fits for this team than Melo, but I'm not convinced that there is any realistic option out there. And none at such a discounted price than what we can potentially land Melo for.
As for the guys who want no part of Melo regardless of how we acquire him, we have to agree to disagree. I knew this game would fan the flames of those opposed to getting him. Just as there are games where those who wanted to get rid of Gallo or Will for him can reference. Personally, at the end of the day my ties are to winning a chip, so I can't say that I can relate to either side. I just think that Anthony is the better ends to that mean.
And as long as the team as a whole is better I can roll with anything. There has to be subtraction to go along with the additions and the keys are the ones already stated. Melo is in the driver's seat and it benefits him to not force something that guts the team he is coming to. Simple enough.
I was very surprised early on how many people wanted to dump our roster to get him when it was clearly not necessary then or now.
And we really did have to see what our guys are made of, how deep their talent is, what they can do. They need a long enough leash without daily fear of being traded to actually come into their own.
At this point, there is no reason to expect the Nuggets to command two or even one of our starters for Melo. We just don't have to do that if Melo stands firm.
At that point, my point of view is inclusive of having Melo. I never rejected him. I said he is not THE Answer. He can be a very big piece among pieces which would be swell. But we need depth to go for all the marbles. It looks like we probably can get Melo without sacrificing more core functioning players than previously thought necessary.
If he can be a team first player and not take 30 shots every game, then we can subtract one starter for him. No problem. More than one starter is not sensible, nor necessary given the circumstances. We can offer some offer parts, but we are in the driver's seat if Melo wants us, not Denver. In which case, keep this team largely intact and then add Melo, not the other way around. I'm down with that.
But I am still concerned about salary caps. Felton and Fields are only on two year leases. Will we be able to retain guys like that and Gallo in a couple of years? We could easily have a contender or championship team and not be able to afford to keep it together.
