Why The Knicks Shouldn’t Split Up StoudeMelo Just Yet

by on

The Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire tandem has not worked well, thus far. As a duo, they have underachieved ever since they were brought together to restore the troubled Knickerbockers to the top of the NBA’s totem pole.

A playoff sweep last year and a 1-3 hole this year, as well as a sub .500 record when both are on the court together has many fans and analysts alike in calling for the front office to blow up the duo and trade one of them this summer.

I believe it would be a mistake to trade either player just yet. While Anthony hasn’t lived up to his billing, he is too talented a player to give up on and I doubt the Knicks would ever seriously entertain trading him, since they already backed off from D’Antoni’s desire to trade him for Deron Williams.

Stoudemire, on the other hand, has had a troubling year on and off the court and his value is at an all time low. It is Stoudemire who many people believe should be traded this summer, but I believe this would be a huge mistake as his value is at an all time low. Trading Stoudemire would probably force the Knicks to either package Lin or Shumpert – a young, promising player – in the deal, since Stoudemire has three years and $65 million remaining, and that would be a huge mistake.

The Knicks are not currently an elite team and no deal to get rid of Stoudemire would promote them to such a level. I question whether the organization would be better off giving the pairing a full training camp to mesh, instead of freaking out and trading a superstar after such a crazy season.

Furthermore, I question why the Knicks have to give up on the duo already. The Knicks’ record since the trade is full of too much noise to be taken seriously. Since they were joined together, there has been coaching changes, changing of personnel, Toney Douglas as running the team, and etc… With both Chauncey Billups, post trade, and Jeremy Lin, post Mike D’Antoni – where they beat the Pacers twice and Philly on the road, the Knicks have shown promise with the duo, to prove that it can in fact work.

Overall, it is my belief that fans and analysts alike have made too many conclusions on a sample size that is distorted by many factors. There is this idea that has developed that the Knicks must choose between the two that I am not yet comfortable accepting.

I think it would be much wiser to employ a new coach and give the much maligned duo a chance to develop their chemistry, as no trade for the almost untradeable Stoudemire, will make the Knicks elite. Keeping Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire together will give the Knicks a significantly higher chance of becoming an elite team, if both players synchronize their playing styles together, rather than blowing up the pairing.

  • Mattyhaze

    I said it earlier on Twitter – I do love Amare and his game. Melo and Amare together is not the problem! They can work together when they play the 4/5. The issue is Tyson on court at same time as Amare. Now, I love Tyson and what he brings to the table – odd man out to me in this situation is Amare – need to trade him (impossible?) for another teams bad contract / headache that would fit better with NYK (Milwaukee for Ellis and Gooden or Orlando for Hedo and Jameer) Either would help the NYK. Melo is a damn good passer – when teammates cut and move without the ball. But they watch Melo in ISO – he can pass or make a move and shoot very quickly when needed, but other things on court need to be happening too.

    Would love a full training camp and no injuries to see what this team can really do – BUT no more JR and i doubt Novak after this season, plus new PGs again, besides Lin most likely. + only vet minimum contracts to be offered as well will make it difficult.