AmazingJason wrote:CJackson wrote:Bill Pidto wrote:
Phil has had more pull with Dolan than anyone ever has, and that includes Melo. It even includes Isiah. Say what you will about Dolan, but he's not a total idiot. He's a very rich businessman, with the type of money that would put Melo's bank account to shame, and he put Phil in total control of one of his greatest assets (the entire Knicks franchise).
Melo is merely a player, and WAS a star. That star is fading fast, and Dolan would have to be brain dead to "side" with Melo at this point. I honestly believe Dolan would be all ears if Phil went to him and said, "look Jim.. I kept Melo on board like you wished, and I tried to build a winner around him with what we had to work with, but it's not going well and Melo is declining rapidly. It's clear to see that KP is our guy to build around, and luckily we've set ourselves up with a plan B, C and D in the likely event that Melo doesn't pan out as a championship caliber leader/contract. Let's try to nudge Melo in another direction, let Derrick walk, and let's get started on plan B or C because it's your best chance at fielding a winner any time soon".
Is that really so hard to believe? I think Dolan bending over for Melo is a myth at this point. It seems to me that he bent over for Phil a while ago, and that he practically wants nothing to do with the team at this point in his life. Add the sudden star power of KP, and I don't think Dolan would bat an eye at getting rid of a washed up Melo. Business is business.
As for Melo getting his number retired- I think that's another one of those things you've been pedaling as a fact when it's very far from a guarantee. Melo has put up some gaudy numbers, made the all-star team every year, and had a couple of "historic moments" in the garden during what was mostly a meaningless tenure as a Knick. Cool. Truth is, he hasn't helped this team win jack sh*t besides the pick that landed us KP. Hasn't even taken this team to the playoffs more than twice. One of those years, he needed a slew of vets to provide all the leadership. The other, he came in half way through the year after Amar'e did most of the leg work, and after he forced a trade here months before becoming a FA and depleted the team like the bozo that he is. What has he done to deserve his name in the rafters anymore than Bernard King or even Houston/Spree???
Only thing Melo has been successful with in NY has been his own personal business. And I tip my cap to him for that because I wish I had his money. But purely from a Knicks fan's perspective, he's been a huge failure and proved to be about half the player LeBron and Wade are. Great scorer, decent rebounder, marketable dude, wonderful player on an Olympic team full of all-world talent that know how to play team ball and get him easy looks. And that's about it. A lot more than most NBA players could ever say, but still not enough for a highly paid guy who hi-jacked the franchise and continues to hi-jack the team's offense and hold the franchise hostage with a NTC he didn't deserve.
F your farewell tour and your spot in the rafters for Melo's number 7. Knicks fans don't wanna hear it. We never cared that much about the dude. We wanted to, but he never earned it. Plain and simple.
Solid post and totally realistic. Melo's juice is gone. The only thing that will keep him here is the NTC, but it is time to leave. He is going to be miserable if he stays because the way he plays now he is going to get booed mercilessly. He can remain a New Yorker. Lala can stay here. They can keep their L.A. home. If he insists on playing out his contract then he is just a glutton for punishment, because with his moodiness he is going to turn into a human pinata if he stays. People wouldn't do that if they felt like he gives a damn, but the average sensible person can see through the facade. He thinks he can coast on his born talents and that won't cut it when he is the grandpa on the court playing young bionic studs.
If you don't think things can get worse, then I don't know what else to say. We'll just have to see
Not following you Jason. I'm saying it will get worse for Melo if he stays because he is lazy and moody and Knicks fans will turn on him because of it.
