Both Chris Broussard and Chris Sheridan reported that Anthony won't agree to a Jersey extension, which stinks for Denver because it can't beat a package of Derrick Favors (the best trade piece out there), Jersey's 2011 No. 1 pick, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow and a future No. 1. But within NBA circles, there's a feeling that Carmelo will cave soon. Somebody Who Knows Things told me recently: "Don't forget how impressed LeBron and [Leon] Rose were by the Russian last summer. Best meeting they had other than Riley, and the Knicks were the worst. Don't think they haven't told Anthony that 30 times. The Nets would build Brooklyn around him, and they can pay him the 65 [million]. It will happen. The Knicks are a pipe dream."
Let's look at the last three points again …
1. "They'd build Brooklyn around him."
So what? The Knicks have seven decades and four generations of fans; they're in the top three of any "Diehard NBA Fan Base" list. Anyone who thinks the Brooklyn Nets are making a serious dent in that stranglehold is delusional. They will always be the not-as-hot sister standing next to the drop-dead-gorgeous girl at the bar. Wear your sexiest outfit, wear a push-up bra, wear high heels … doesn't matter. You're always second.
2. "They can pay him the 65."
Again, so what? Carmelo should sacrifice two years of his title-winning prime playing with Brook Lopez (took a step backward this season), Chauncey Billups (past his prime), Rip Hamilton (hasn't had a meaningful basketball moment in two years), and no other real assets other than a billionaire's money (which netted $60 million of Johan Petro, Travis Outlaw and Jordan Farmar last summer, so obviously, money isn't everything), Ian Eagle and two ABA championship banners? And the light at the end of the teammate tunnel would be Chris Paul -- another Rose client, and a free agent in 2012, but he's playing with a knee brace the size of Earl Boykins right now? Really? That's the whole plan?
3. "The Knicks are a pipe dream."
Not necessarily. They can sign Anthony this summer. Besides, he rode the pipe dream for this long. What's another five weeks until the deadline? Sticking Carmelo on this particular Knicks team, in front of those particular fans, on that particular franchise, would be stupendous; he does everything Chandler does for the Knicks, but much better. And they're already a 6-seed. Sticking him on the Nets? Nuggets East.
There is one better place for Anthony: for basketball, his title chances, his wife, everything. He is choosing not to see it. He could even get his $65 million extension right away.
The place? Los Angeles.
The team? The Clippers.
Thirty-four years of misery and bad luck, the most despicable owner in sports … I know. And I know you're laughing and saying, "Stop it, Simmons, you're just saying this because you've had season tickets since 2004 and they beat the Heat on Wednesday night, you're embarrassing yourself." Just hear me out. This Blake Griffin situation has gone places for which, frankly, I wasn't prepared. You see this stuff on television, you see these guys when they pass through town, but to have someone this special playing down the street … to have season tickets for someone like this … I can barely put it into words.
I was still so wired that J.A. Adande teased me, "Look at you, you can't stop hopping up and down, you're like a little kid."
I can't help it. Griffin is the most meaningful in-the-air player since Shawn Kemp. Throw in his competitive streak and he did the impossible -- he made Baron Davis care about basketball again. As my friend Tollin said last week, "It's amazing; it's like Baron has a purpose again." He's Blake's dunk muse. Now the Clips have the foundation of something special: Griffin, Davis, Eric Gordon (a future All-Star) and enough left to make a legitimate offer for Denver: lottery pick Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Kaman, expiring contracts and the rights to Minnesota's unprotected 2012 pick (nearly as valuable a trade chip as Favors) for Carmelo and Al Harrington's horrendous contract that's the Carmelo Trade Tax. Mrs. Anthony could live in Hollywood and make her next unwatchable reality show. And her husband could play with Griffin, Gordon, Davis, Eric Bledsoe and DeAndre Jordan … a situation that's between five and 20 times more appealing than New Jersey. Even when you include Donald Sterling.
Call me crazy, but I always thought the point of free-agency leverage was to make money AND find the best situation possible. How could Anthony do better than joining forces with Griffin and Gordon
Sorry for the long quotes, but it's a pretty long read. Covers off each of NY and NJ, and why he thinks Melo is better off heading West instead.
