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Why Chris Paul’s Proposed Big Three With Knicks Could Beat Miami Heat

LeBron James and Chris Bosh decided to form the NBA’s most talented and star-studded trio by joining Dwayne Wade on the Miami Heat.

The formation came as a huge blow to the gut of the Knicks, who over two years ago began clearing cap space in hopes of forming a similar winning combination of its own this summer.

Nevertheless, there’s always next year (or even 2012, perhaps).  (There may even be a chance of something happening sooner.)

As Knicks fans still mourned being spurned by LeBron and company, Hornets star Chris Paul attempted to lift up their spirits.

While in New York City attending Carmelo Anthony’s wedding reception, Paul toasted the groom and his new wife, actress LaLa Vazquez, while stating that he hopes to form his own “dream-team” with Anthony and the already present Amare Stoudemire on the Knicks.

Wedding guest and Knicks super fan Spike Lee almost fainted from across the room.

The notion that the three could team up (Anthony becomes a free agent in 2011 and Paul in 2012) is intriguing to say the least.

While that combination may not be quite as name-worthy as the one the Heat recently formed, it could certainly end up being the better fit for the Knicks.

There have been concerns about LeBron, Wade, and Bosh all coexisting in one city with one ball. In the case of Paul, Anthony, and Stoudemire, chemistry would not be a problem.

If the Knicks were miraculously able to pull off such acquisitions, the team would be able to beat the Miami Heat.

While Wade and LeBron are both able to handle the ball, neither is a true point guard. Chris Paul, on the other hand, is the best point guard in the league because he is the best at getting his teammates involved. Of course, he is also an efficient scorer and lockdown defender.

And while all three new Heat acquisitions have been considered “the man” on their former respective teams, Anthony and Stoudemire have a better and more comfortable understanding of what it means to play in a team-like atmosphere. They both have proven throughout their careers that they are able to coexist with other scorers.

Furthermore, all three proposed Knick acquisitions are hungry to win. The commitment to ultimately win a championship will take priority over how much attention each individual will get.

Having said that, Stoudemire is of course receiving recognition as the biggest acquisition the Knicks have made in years. When and if Melo and CP3 arrive in New York, the Knicks will be “Stoudemire’s team.”

Although both would concede to Stoudemire, the attention they would receive coming to the Big Apple would still do wonders for each one’s career.

New York is one of the biggest markets in the world, much bigger than Denver or New Orleans. Both Melo and CP3’s careers (and popularity) would benefit from donning orange and blue, as each (especially Melo) has trailed in popularity to the league’s more popular players, particularly the ones that signed with the Heat.

Stoudemire’s popularity has risen tenfold over the last week, proving the new trio of the Heat’s loss could be the gain of Melo and CP3.

The alleged trio for the Knicks could come sooner than later. Paul, whose Hornets have not made steady improvements over the summer, could be requesting a trade shortly.

Anthony has been strongly holding off from signing a contract extension with the Nuggets.

As the Knicks obviously have no flexibility (nor the assets) to acquire both via trade, it would be smart to acquire Paul ASAP, and making a contract offer to Anthony next summer, as opposed to waiting until 2012 for Paul.

Acquiring Paul would obviously prove to Anthony that the Knicks are committed to forming a winning trio of their own.

If it’s praise, stardom, and championship hope that Anthony desires, he would have the best chance of obtaining all by taking on the challenge that LeBron James declined to take on in New York.

NBA Free Agency: Knicks Come Out Winners in David Lee to Warriors Deal

LeBron James stiffed the Knicks with his decision to sign with the Miami Heat.

The Knicks, however, wasted no time before listening to their new leader, Amare Stoudemire, who at Thursday’s press conference said, “it’s onto the next one.”

Of course, Stoudemire was referring to his transition from the Suns to the Knicks, but the same logic still applies.

The Knicks acted quickly to make a move following LeBron’s disappointing announcement, completing a sign & trade deal with the Warriors on David Lee.

Headed to the Big Apple are Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike, and Ronny Turiaf.

While this is not the star-studded move fans were salivating over, it’s undoubtedly a move in the right direction.

New York and Golden State have similar offensive systems, so all four players should fit seamlessly in at their new locations.

Randolph, a lengthy forward and skilled perimeter shooter, is a nice complement to Stoudemire down low. His fast footwork and excellent ball-handling skills make him a candidate to convert baskets on fast breaks on a nightly basis.

Someone Donnie Walsh has previously inquired about over the last couple seasons, Randolph has been compared to a taller Rudy Gay, whom the Knicks were also reportedly after this summer, before Gay resigned with the Grizzlies.

While he has not yet been able to fully unleash his rebuilding talents, perhaps the opportunity to play for the Knicks will help Randolph further hone his skills.

Azubuike is one of the league’s most underrated players. Undrafted out of Kentucky, he found his niche with the fast-paced Warriors. A sure-shot three-point shooter, he is also known for his defensive skills, which will certainly be an asset to the Knicks.

Azubuike is a very hard working player, having worked his way up from the D-League to becoming a consistent rotation (and often starter) player for the Warriors.

If the Knicks are still worried about defense down low, Turiaf should help ease some of the concern. A menacing shot blocker, Turiaf could see some starts with the Knicks as he certainly fills a massive void.

All three players add different components to this Knicks squad. Walsh made the most of an unfortunate situation (losing Lee) to bolster the presently short-handed roster with three talented players.

Much should be said for David Lee, though. The heart and soul of the Knicks for the last five seasons, Lee worked hard and was the team’s first all-star since 2001 this past season. He maximized the most of his talents in Mike D’Antoni’s system on his way to becoming one of the league’s best big men.

While he will be missed by Knicks fans, Lee quickly became expendable as soon as the Knicks signed Stoudemire.

Walsh and the Knicks showed their appreciation for Lee’s efforts, however, agreeing to sign and trade Lee to the Warriors in order for him to tag on a sixth year to his contract.

He ended up agreeing to a very-well deserved $80 million contract over six years with Golden State.

Breaking Down LeBron James’ Decision to Sign with the Miami Heat

LeBron James announced his decision to join forces with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh and sign with the Miami Heat Thursday night

The decision may not come as a huge surprise to many, as news of what has come to be known as “The Decision” leaked throughout the day.

However, teaming up with two of the NBA’s best players may not be the best thing for him.

Is being labeled “the dream team” enough to suggest that a guaranteed championship for the Heat next season is simply that; just a dream?

Now that James is finished breaking the hearts of fans all over Cleveland, it is time to break down his decision to sign elsewhere.

Many components of LeBron’s decision to sign with the Miami Heat make sense. After spending seven seasons in small-market (but hometown) Cleveland, he joins a beautiful city and popular market in Miami.

On paper, the Heat theoretically provide him with the best chance to add such a significantly needed piece to his resume that has eluded him for quite some time now: a championship.

Placing LeBron on a team with Wade, who already knows what it takes to win a championship, and Bosh, who is now hungry to win as ever, gives the Heat the most firepower in the league. The three superstars clearly give the team the best chances of winning a championship on paper.

Although the team will now have to fill out the team by signing multiple players to minimum contracts, it all comes down to finding the right guys that fit.

The Celtics built a winning model just seasons ago when they teamed up Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen with Paul Pierce, surrounding them with smart, clutch veterans such as P.J. Brown and Eddie House.

If the Heat can convince a group of their own smart and experienced veterans that they will all have the best chances of winning in Miami, a championship may be in reach this season.

However, having the best chance to win on paper can only take a team so far.

Although all three are primed to compete, chemistry will be an obstacle this season.

As each member of “the dream team” is accustomed to being the one with the ball in their hands at the end of the game, how will two of them cope with being pushed to the side as the third member has his time in the spotlight?

Bosh may be the easiest to concede, as being “the man” in Toronto has not exactly translated into winning. Enlisting in helping and removing certain pressures may come as a very smart move for him.

The real tug of war will come between Wade and LeBron.

While each one is recognized as being a gifted passer, how eager will either of them really be to pass up the opportunity to a win a ballgame?

Furthermore, LeBron James is widely known as being the best player to grace the NBA hardwood floor since Michael Jordon.

As the spotlight comes off him as an individual, and as he begins to relinquish shot opportunities, his prophecy as the “second-coming” may elude him very quickly.

Unlike Bosh, James has relished the opportunities he has gotten to be so widely recognized, and certainly has the talent and intensity to deserve such attention.

Playing on a team such as the Knicks or Bulls, or even remaining with the Cavs, would have given him the opportunity to remain as the center of attention (or even better yet, known as a “savior”) for years to come.

How he handles playing second-fiddle on “Wade’s team” and how that affects the team’s chemistry remains to be seen.

Nevertheless, all things considered (including the considerable pay cut LeBron and his two new star-studded teammates will have to take), the opportunity to team up with such talents as Wade and Bosh is obviously too much for LeBron to pass up.

On paper, the Heat do give him the best chances of winning championships for years to come.

Unfortunately, that type of estimate is simply all he can base his decision on at this time.

While LeBron may not be known as “King James” in Miami, he is still going to be recognized as a key component to winning championships.

If he and his new teammates cannot convert all the potential into production, rest assured all three will be facing the harshest critics of their careers.

Amare Stoudemire Will Sign With the New York Knicks

After a weekend of persuasive courtship by the Knicks, Amare Stoudemire announced Monday that he will sign with the team on July 8th, the date when free agents are officially able to sign new contracts.

The new acquisition (although a steep one, reportedly at $99.7 million over five years) is the Knicks’ most notable one in years. Stoudemire also provides the team with massive creditability as it continues to attract some of the league’s best players via free agency.

LeBron James, clearly the best of the available players, has revealed that he will announce his decision as to where he will play next season during a primetime, one-hour special on Thursday night (July 8th) at 9:00 p.m. EST to be aired on ESPN.

The long-awaited decision certainly has Knicks fans all around the world incredibly anxious, as does the assumed signing of Stoudemire and every roster move over the last two-plus years leading up to this very moment. The concept of reeling in a star of King James’ stature and sheer talent in order to finally deliver another championship has been the ultimate goal.

In the meantime, fans can take pleasure in watching Amare Stoudemire’s initial appearance donning orange and blue (on his hat, anyway) as he met with the New York media for the first time Monday night.

Amare Stoudemire Is Exactly the Type of Character the Knicks Need

Aside from winning ballgames, the New York City market demands more from its athletes.

In fact, the athletes have a tendency to become more like celebrities, and how well they are perceived by the media is entirely up to them.

The above notion, ladies and gentlemen, is exactly why Amare Stoudemire is a great fit for the Knicks.

By recruiting the league’s top free agents, the Knicks are obviously trying to improve their team. There is absolutely no denying that Stoudemire is a strong player who could improve the Knicks. All parties involved understand that.

What Stoudemire is proving during this free agent period, however, is that he is precisely the type of persona that simply belongs in New York City.

Stoudemire, someone who never shies away from the media, has made sure his tour of New York is being well-documented, starting from the very second his plane touched the city’s ground.

Through his Twitter account (you can follow him @amareisreal ), Stoudemire has kept all whom are interested informed of his arrival and first day in town, going as far as noting what food he’s enjoying at which restaurants, and the fact that he went to see Broadway’s Rock of Ages.

Jim Baumbach, a reporter for Newsday, further noted that Stoudemire would be spending his Fourth of July watching the game at Yankee Stadium.

After Stoudemire is done enjoying himself, it will be back to business on Monday as he hears the Knicks’ official recruiting pitch. Rest assured that he will be continuing his tweets from there as well, as he was vocal about attending a meeting with his former team, the Phoenix Suns, last week.

In the meantime, he has already been optimistically recruiting players for the Knicks on his own. Of course, the arrival of these players is contingent on whether or not he chooses to ultimately sign with the Knicks.

Stoudemire told The New York Post, “I’ve talked to Carmelo Anthony to come out here, I’ve talked to Tony Parker. Both those guys are ready to join me if I decide to come here, so I’m going to see if we can work it out.”

Of course, while Stoudemire is a free agent, Anthony and Parker are both still under contract with their current respective teams. The idea of Anthony donning orange and blue may have to wait until next season, should he opt not to sign an extension with the Nuggets.

Parker, on the other hand, could come to the Knicks sooner than that. There have been recent rumblings about the possibility of Parker joining the Knicks in exchange for David Lee via sing & trade.

The Knicks would be enticed to make the Parker deal happen quicker, in the event that Stoudemire signs, as he has played with a point guard of Steve Nash’s caliber his entire career.

It is unknown, however, if Lee would be open to signing with San Antonio, and the Knicks likely do not have other assets necessary to complete such a deal.

While fans await Stoudemire’s decision, they can stay posted regarding how much fun he has at today’s Yankee game. Hopefully watching a team with such a successful history and winning culture gives him an idea of how rewarding becoming a star in New York City can really be.

New York Knicks’ Free Agency Tour Makes Its Way To Lebron James

As the clock struck 12:01am early Wednesday, the Knicks were already off and running to conquer its summer free agency quest.

On the very same day that free agents are finally able to negotiate, the Knicks’ recruitment team, consisting of Donnie Walsh, Mike D’Antoni, Allan Houston, and James Dolan have already made stops to talk with certain free agents.

Although Dolan did not reportedly travel to Los Angeles early Wednesday, the rest of the group met with Joe Johnson.

Johnson has maximum contracts offers from both the Knicks and Hawks. Although Johnson has beamed when asked about reuniting with Mike D’Antoni, his visit with the Knicks could already be a waste.

The Hawks, as Johnson’s last team, can add a sixth year to its contract offer, while the Knicks cannot.

Johnson appears close to accepting the Hawks’ offer, as he would leave nearly $25 million on the table if he were to sign with the Knicks instead of the Hawks.

However, there is no time for the Knicks to look back. The tour continued on its rapid pace Thursday afternoon as Dolan joined the group at LeBron James’ home in Ohio.

After Thursday, the free agency tour ultimately becomes the search for James’ perfect running mate, as the Knicks have scheduled meetings in Chicago with Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade, and Amare Stoudemire shortly after that.

James has told confidants he hopes to have made a decision by Monday. This gives the Knicks only the next few days to lure in a second free agent in order to sweeten the deal.

Dirk Nowitzki will also be in New York Friday night to have dinner with Mavericks teammate Jason Kidd. While it’s unknown whether or not he plans to meet with Knicks’ brass, they would have to fly back in from Chicago late Friday to make that happen.

After all the planning, due diligence, and anticipation, make no mistake Walsh (who is making trips in a wheelchair following his neck surgery two weeks ago) would certainly, nevertheless, lead his brigade back to New York if Dirk comes calling.

The team also met with swing man Mike Miller in L.A. on Thursday.

NBA Trade Rumors: Has Wilson Chandler Become Expendable for the Knicks?

The Knicks have a tremendous need for a big man, yet failed to capitalize by selecting one in the NBA draft. After selecting Andy Rautins of Syracuse with the 38^th overall pick, the team instead selected the freakishly athleticwingman, Landry Fields, out of Stanford.

Potentially adding Fields to the plethora of wingmen the Knicks currently have on the roster begs the question: who will be the odd man out?

The likely answer is Wilson Chandler. As the Knicks look to beef up its roster to attract the summer’s best free agents, Chandler could become key trade bait in order to bring in another valuable player.

Chandler is the furthest developed of the Knicks’ young core, as he is also the most tenured.

With Danilo Gallinari, Bill Walker, J.R. Giddens, and now Fields on the roster, Chandler is becoming expendable.

While Giddens is nothing more than a low-risk role player, Gallinari and Walker still have a tremendous amount of upside.

The Knicks feel Gallinari has the potential to become a perfect complement on offense to a star free agent signee, and Walker was among the scoring leaders throughout his time in the D-League over the past two seasons.

What you see is basically what you will get with Chandler. While he has improved his midrange game over the past couple seasons, his statistics in virtually every offensive category have been near identical during his two seasons as a starter.

Then again, do not assume that Chandler cannot improve. He is still only 23 years old. That being said, his game impact could always be replaced by the Knicks. He is not a game changer, which is what the Knicks are lacking in order to win.

With a handful of wingmen on the roster already, and nearly half of roster left to fill, Chandler is not one needed to surround a potential free agent star(s) with.

With the Knicks still lacking a defensive wall and low post threat at center, Chandler would be well suited a trade piece along with Eddy Curry, possibly to be sent to New Orleans for Emeka Okafor and Darren Collison.

This trade benefits both teams. The Knicks would acquire Okafor, filling a desperate need. One of the league’s better defensive players, Okafor has averaged 10.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks throughout his career. He can certainly be a game changer (on defense, that is) in the eastern conference.

For those not sold on Toney Douglas as a starting point guard just yet, they will be able to take more comfort in Collison. A player more ready for the NBA than Douglas, Collison proved his worth as a starter while filling in for the injured Chris Paul this past season. Collison had 13 double-doubles (point and assists), and furthermore, had seven games with nine assists.

The Hornets, already stacked at point guard with Paul and Marcus Thorton, (in addition to Collison) would be smart to take advantage of the opportunity to rid itself of Okafor’s expensive contract, which continues on for four more years. The team would gain Curry’s expiring contract as well as a consistently performing starter in Wilson Chandler.

Wherever Curry ends up (hopefully) be traded, it make sense for Chandler to go with him as compensation, as Curry’s potential this season is completely unclear.

Unfortunately for Chandler, if he is not traded prior to the upcoming season, he could very well be pushed to the bench in favor of Gallinari and a much more talented free agent signee on the Knicks roster.

NBA Draft Report Card: Grading the Knicks at the 2010 NBA Draft

Although the Knicks did not have a first round draft selection in this year’s draft, there was still hope the team could improve its talented young core with its two second round picks.

Instead, the WaMu Theater at Madison Garden groaned with disappointment from Knicks fans scattered all around as their team selected Andy Rautins of Syracuse (38^th) and Landry Fields of Stanford. (39^th).

Unfortunately, for the Knicks, this draft drew two terrifying parallels to dreadful drafts of years past.

At 38, the Knicks were long hoping to snag Darington Hobson. As the draft progressed, it appeared that Donnie Walsh did not have to buy a first round pick in order to get Hobson.

Instead, Hobson was the 37^th overall pick, one before the Knicks.

Walsh responded by selecting Rautins with the 38^th overall pick. Fans may recall last year’s draft when Walsh drafted Jordan Hill with the 8^th overall pick after Stephen Curry was taken by the Warriors just one pick prior.

The Knicks might win some hometown points by drafting a player out of Syracuse. The fact that he can shoot the three all day long should help Rautins in a system like Coach D’Antoni’s, but unfortunately, his overall skill set is otherwise limited. The term “one trick pony” comes to mind.

The second of the parallels will hit much closer to home for Knicks fans. Reports had former Lincoln High School star Lance Stephenson high on the Knicks’ list in the days leading up to the draft, but the team instead went with Landry Fields at 39. The Pacers wasted no time scooping up Stephenson with the very next pick.

The Knicks left fans with similar disappointment when the team chose to forgo selecting the homegrown Ron Artest in the 1999 draft, while at same time, watch him be selected just one pick later.

Everyone knows what a player like Artest can end up accomplishing. The Knicks can only pray they did not make the same mistake in letting Stephenson pass them by.

The opposite of Rautins, Fields is a very athletic wingman with a good rebounding ability for a player his size. The fact that he was selected, instead of Stephenson, will likely hurt his favor with Knicks fans more than anything else.

Both players have talent. However, they both could have probably been signed as a free agent after the draft. Neither one was expected to be selected that high in the draft, let alone, in the draft at all.

It was not until later that Walsh seemingly salvaged the draft.

Newsday’s Alan Hahn reports that the Knicks have purchased the rights to the 44^th pick, Tulsa’s Jerome Jordan, from the Bucks.

Many insiders believed the Knicks were going to select Jordan with one of its original picks. He is certainly more of what the Knicks seem to be lacking; a seven-foot center with strong rebounding and shot-blocking abilities.

It will be interesting to see how Walsh feels about his selections, as well as how Coach D’Antoni envisions each prospect fitting into his system.

Until then, not much more can be said. At the same time, the uncertainty of each pick’s potential is a major let down.

The Knicks definitely lost points tonight by letting Stephenson escape through their fingers, but redeem themselves by picking up Jordan.

It is just a shame the team actually had to purchase another pick to get Jordan, rather than simply selecting him earlier.

Overall Knicks’ 2010 NBA Draft Grade: C

NBA Trade Rumors: Why the Knicks Should Trade For Richard Hamilton

In the summer of 2007, the Boston Celtics were in trouble. After a measly 24 win season (and not many better seasons prior to that), General Manager Danny Ainge understood improvements had to be made to save his job.

He responded by helping the Celtics finish at 66-16, the third best regular season finish in the already storied franchise’s history, becoming NBA Champions just a season later.

Ainge obviously did not sit back and wait to see how things played out. He made moves. The centerpiece of the Celtics’ improvement was Kevin Garnett, but how in the world did Ainge convince the former MVP to accept a trade to a team with such a losing record?

He made a noticeable splash on NBA Draft Night. Nearly a month before the KG trade, Ainge set the tone by acquiring Ray Allen.

Despite being a seven time all-star, Allen was an aging guard, coming off of an injury-riddled season in which he appeared in only 56 games.

Furthermore, his contract was set to climb up past $20 million per year for three more seasons.

There is no doubt a move like that is an incredibly risky one, but that is why it created such a splash. The fact that Ainge was willing to take on such a player (at such a contract) proved he would do anything to win, and subsequently was the ripple effect to the Celtics becoming champions.

In order to bring the Knicks back to greatness, Donnie Walsh needs to take note from Danny Ainge and make a splash.

Attention, Mr. Walsh: Richard Hamilton can be your ripple effect.

With the Knicks in an even more desperate situation than the Celtics were in just a few seasons ago, Walsh needs to make sure he pulls out all the stops in order to recruit the league’s top free agents to New York.

Bringing in Richard Hamilton would prove to free agents that the Knicks are ready to start winning basketball games.

That’s not to say the Knicks should build around Hamilton, but simply that Hamilton can be the Knicks’ Ray Allen of sorts.

Hamilton is coming off an injury-plagued season of his own, and has three more years on his contract for over $12 million per season.

While that type of acquisition may seem burdensome at first, the Knicks would immediately bring in an NBA champion.

Hamilton knows the ultimate definition of teamwork. A member of the Larry Brown-led Pistons in the mid 2000’s, his scoring average hovered around (but normally lower than) 20 points, constantly leading the team in scoring, while keeping the rest of his team involved in the offense.

Still a consistent 18 points per game scorer, if Hamilton were able to provide the Knicks with anything close to what Allen provided (16-18 points) the Celtics over the past three seasons, the team would be thrilled.

The trick to acquiring Hamilton is not eating into the Knicks’ cap space. Trading for Hamilton would only be worth it if he gives the Knicks a better chance at signing two marquee free agents to maximum deals.

The easiest way to accomplish this would be to trade Eddy Curry (and his expiring contract) to Detroit.

There have been recent rumblings of Curry being open to accepting a buyout in order to re-sign with the Bulls to restart his career. While that would save the Knicks some money (if the buyout were agreed upon before free agency begins), the team may benefit more if it gets value back for his expiring contract.

The Pistons would be able to (and may be likely to) buy Curry out after acquiring him anyway, as a simple means of getting rid of Hamilton’s contract.

Nevertheless, one can only hope that Walsh has been taking notes the past few seasons. It may be the only way he can end up impressing fans and free agents alike.