dakomish23 wrote:markdeez33 wrote:Zooropa wrote:
I was a bit harsh, but I don't think he was on Melo's level at any point that year.
I definitely do. The Knicks also were a much better team before Melo got here. They actually moved the ball and ran the P n R very nicely. Once Melo got here everything went up in flames.
Not to say Melo isn't great, because he is, but our team was absolutely gutted. If it wasn't for Billups, we might've missed the playoffs LOL
Forgetting when Amare sat a lot towards the end of that 10-11 season and we went on a 7 game win streak to cement our playoff berth behind Melo lighting it up.
Amare had a great 1st yr. Even after Melo came he averaged 22 & 8 that year. Since then he's been one of the worst contracts in the NBA. It's not Amare's fault we're horrible. But he has not come close to earning that contract.
Nah I haven't forgotten. Clearly, it was STAT's team to begin the season and Melo's to finish it. Amare was half dead by the end of the year, and he hasn't been the same since. I'm not sure if it's all of his injuries finally catching up to him or D'Antoni running him into the ground, or a combination of both.
Melo is one helluva player. I think he's probably the best scorer in the league aside from KD. He is the guy who has to lead us for the foreseeable future and I hope he's up to the task.
And yes, I agree, Amare's contact is absolutely terrible. But it was a necessary albatross. I'm not sure that Melo would've forced his way to NY if STAT didn't come here first. Maybe he would've, but I have my doubts.
Either way, it's sad that we've never gotten to see Melo & STAT together at their absolute best. Oh what could've been. Reminds me far too much of Patrick Ewing & Bernard King together

- I still don't know why the Knicks gave up on King and let him walk to Washington. Even after his injuries, he had 4 good years for the Bullets