drekwins wrote:Knickstape1214 wrote:drekwins wrote:
Wait, how is it punishing? The Knicks are under no obligation to waive their NTC if there's not a beneficial deal. He's under contract. What's the discussion here? It's not punishment...
Benching someone because he's unwilling to waive his NTC sounds like a punishment to me. I completely agree the Knicks don't have to agree to any deal if they don't want to (I doubt you remember, but my sig once said "only trade Melo in a FAIR deal"), but the two sides are at a stand-still. Melo is under contract and he'll have to accept that if he's in NY or Houston, but saying we should simply bench him because he's not waiving the NTC is asinine IMO - that's my point.
I'm not saying don't play him. He's just a 4. KPs a 4. Were a team focusing on defense, youth, development and ball movement on offense. There are very justifiable reasons that Melo is better suited to come off the bench other than punishment. 6th man roles are highly respected and coveted... but Carmelo's too good for it? Sounds ridiculous to me.
Also, PS, a NTC doesn't mean that you get to pick where you play lol It just means that you don't have to uproot your family if you don't want to. A NTC never has been used to force a trade lol Its intent is to stop a trade. If the Knicks don't see a beneficial deal...they don't have to trade him for crap. That, again, is not punishment.
In all likelihood, KP isn't starting at the 4 because he'll be next to Willy, leaving an opening at the 3. Playing Melo there will help ease Frank into the NBA as well (the same way it did KP) because he could focus on the things he does well and pick his spots - I personally want him to start because we didn't get Rondo (who IMO would have been the perfect coach for him) and because I don't see us making a trade for someone who should start over him, so I'm all for throwing him in to the wolves. Melo's minutes can be split between the 3 (when he starts) and the 3/4 when he plays with the bench unit because, truthfully, we have nobody who can play the 3 really.
I'm also well aware of what a NTC is, thanks. What it does mean is that he can choose his destination - ie, stopping a trade.

I never said the Knicks need to trade him for crap. Do you not read my posts? I even said above what my old sig used to say (here it is again) -
only trade Melo in a FAIR deal. That means one that doesn't give us back crap contracts and allow us to get an asset or two in the deal. Did I really have to explain that?
I never said he's too good to come off the bench, I said benching him because he's not waiting his NTC (which what some here want) is beyond stupid. HUGE difference. Quit putting words in my mouth.