Danilo Gallinari

It's hard not to compare Danilo Gallinari to Toronto's Andrea Bargnani. They're both tall. They're both Italian. They were both high lottery picks. They both like to shoot a long ways from the basket. Whereas Bargnani has developed in fits and starts, Gallinari's second year showed a clear progression over his first. He looks like a legit starter in the NBA with potential for more to come. Gallinari is already one of the NBA's deadliest perimeter shooters, and last years .381 mark from behind the arc could prove to be on the low end of what he shoots from long range. However, he is more than just a spot up shooter. Gallinari attacked the basket to get a fifth of his shots at the rim, where converted at near the league average despite lacking strength. Gallinari also drew fouls at an above average rate. 21 % of his shots were long twos, and while the .380 he shot there isn't terrible, you'd like to see him get that up to a Korveresque .460 or so. Otherwise, he needs to cut down on that portion of his game. Gallinari's passing skills improved as well, but they're still not quite as good as they need to be, particularly if he ends up playing a lot of shooting guard this season. On defense, G is way better than expected. He moves well and uses his length to bother shots. Teams look at him and drool like he's a NY strip so 20% of his defensive possessions came against isolations. (And why wouldn't you isolate him? He looks like a tall 12 year old.) He responded by allowing .860 points per play in those situations, which puts him right at the league average. If he plays more twos, however he'll probably suffer against isos. The rest of G's defensive profile looks solid. He's a future All-Star.

Most similar to: Mike Miller (97.0), Peja, JR Smith, Rashard Lewis

Anthony Randolph

Everyone is excited to see what Anthony Randolph can do in the Knicks system. In Phoenix, MDA turned Boris Diaw into a solid NBA starter by leveraging his versatile skill set, and Diaw doesn't have nearly as much raw ability as AR. AR is coming off a nasty ankle injury, which saw him tear three ligaments and cost him the final 40 games of 2009-10. Before getting hurt, AR's statistics were right in line with his rookie performance. He was doing it in a slightly bigger chunk of playing time, though Don Nelso severely underutilized him in Golden State. AR is a gifted passer and rebounder, and will someday be an elite-level defensive player if he's willing to commit to being one. The offensive ability is also there. AR draws fouls, hits his free throws and shoots well close to the basket. He's not a good midrange shooter but still took about 40% of his shots from 10-23 feet, which was a blight on his Offensive Rating. MDA is reportedly projecting AR as his starting SF, where he could be a matchup nightmare for opponents., because he's athletic enough to guard opposing threes. Randolph should be able to take small forwards on the blocks on the offensive end, though his post gmae is still developing. SCHOENE loves this guy and Randolph could be one of the breakout players in the NBA this season.

Most similar to: Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Joe Smith, Josh Smith.

Carmelo Anthony

Now in his prime, Melo has established a fairly steady level of performance. He can be counted on to use somewhere just over 30% of the Nuggets' plays with an efficiency right around the league average. He's an average to slightly above average rebounder and a quality defender when committed. Is that package worth the max salary? Probably, and there's no question that's what CA is going to command next season, whether in Denver or somewhere else. At the same time, grouping him in with Lebron James and Dwayne Wade, his peers from the 2003 draft class, flatters Anthony. This isn't solely a statistical perspective; last year was the first time Anthony made All-NBA Second Team. He's a second tier star.

The big upgrade Anthony made to his game last season was cutting down on his miscues, posting his lowest turnover percentage since 2005-06. That translated into career highs in both win% and WARP. Anthony's numbers might have looked even better if not for the decline in trips to the FT line under Adrian Dantley. Those free throws are a crucial part of CA's offensive game, which can use the high eprcentage scores generated by his isolations on the wing.

Most similar to: Dominique Wilkins 998.2), Xavier McDaniel, Glenn Robinson, Corey Maggette.

This is going to be very interesting to watch. I think Andy is gonna end up being very important as will TD. TD gets overlooked, but this kid can score and we need that spark plug off the bench. Andy I think has the potential to be our best PG in terms of being able to pass and shoot effectively. His shooting ability and size gives him an advantage in this offense. Teams will have to pick a poison. Follow Amare or leave Andy open for a jumper. That's what you want from a PG on a D'Antoni team.

If we hold out for Melo or CP3 we can possibly keep one or both AR and Gallo. I think despite Melo being an inefficient scorer, he provides a skill that we need. He's a closer and we don't have that kind of player right now. That guy you can give an ISO to in crunchtime and get a good result most of the time.

They basically just said

1. he's worth the max
2. but he's not in the same class as Lebron and Wade.

What's so insane or even insulting about that? TMS/Vmart wouldn't you guys agree with both of the above?

Kinda like Drexler was a great player, just not in the same class as Jordan/Bird/Magic.
Rasheed Wallace/Antawn Jamison/..great players just not really in the same class as KG/Duncan.

It is pretty interesting that he's only made All-NBA second team ONCE, no?

He's not the best at his position.(that would be Lebron and Durant)
He's only made all-NBA second team only once.
He's never made All-NBA first team.
He's never made all defense.

These are just the facts. You can mention these facts and say that he's not in the class as Lebron and Wade and still believe:

- he can help the Knicks get better
- he's one of the best at his position.
- he's worth whatever package the Knicks could put together.

Even Nykbocker said he was a 2nd tier SUPERstar. If a guy only makes all nba 2nd team once what's so insane about saying that?

The guy's good but he's never even been close to a 1st round fantasy selection. If you're a 1st tier superstar shouldn't you have been a legit 1st rounder once in your career?

If someone were to deem Wade/Bron/Durant/CP3/Kobe as a tier above him..it still means he's better than most in the league.

Maybe if Lebron/Wade weren't around he would be the heir apparent to best player in the league or have a shot but if were to take Melo as he is right now and stick him in the NBA any year post Jordan I can't think of a single year where he'd be a top 5 player.

I would put the primes of the following Post Jordan stars ahead of the best we've seen of Melo so far:

KG
Duncan
Lebron
Wade
Durant
Dirk
Webber
Tracy McGrady

TMS/Vmart..

This is a list of every all NBA selection for the last 22 years. How many years can you find where Melo's best season in his 7 season in the league is better than one of these guys?

The only one I can find so far is the '98 when Mourning was starting center but I'd take the '98 versions of Chris Webber, Shaq, Grant Hill and Gary Payton (2nd team that season) above anything Melo has done so far

in '99 you have Duncan, KG, Shaq, Kidd, Payton. I take all of those guys over Melo.

Last year it was Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, Dwight Howard.

All of the above guys are elite at doin at least 2 things. Would ANY of these guys get traded for Melo?

What about Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Rajon Rondo.
These are also guys that GMs may never consider trading for Melo.

Can you be a 1st tier superstar when there's arguably 11 guys in the league with more trade value than you?

Again, not a huge knock on Melo. He is still arguably one of the 10-20 best basketball players on a planet of billions.

Vmart/TMS

Who's on your list of 1st tier superstars in the league this season? How many people are on it?

Maybe this is all just semantics anyway...

My definition of elite level superstar:

If you had 5 guys in today's league playing a game for your life would this guy be in your starting five?

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:Just to clear things up:

They basically just said

1. he's worth the max
2. but he's not in the same class as Lebron and Wade.

What's so insane or even insulting about that? TMS/Vmart wouldn't you guys agree with both of the above?

Kinda like Drexler was a great player, just not in the same class as Jordan/Bird/Magic.
Rasheed Wallace/Antawn Jamison/..great players just not really in the same class as KG/Duncan.

It is pretty interesting that he's only made All-NBA second team ONCE, no?

He's not the best at his position.(that would be Lebron and Durant)
He's only made all-NBA second team only once.
He's never made All-NBA first team.
He's never made all defense.

These are just the facts. You can mention these facts and say that he's not in the class as Lebron and Wade and still believe:

- he can help the Knicks get better
- he's one of the best at his position.
- he's worth whatever package the Knicks could put together.

Even Nykbocker said he was a 2nd tier SUPERstar. If a guy only makes all nba 2nd team once what's so insane about saying that?

The guy's good but he's never even been close to a 1st round fantasy selection. If you're a 1st tier superstar shouldn't you have been a legit 1st rounder once in your career?

If someone were to deem Wade/Bron/Durant/CP3/Kobe as a tier above him..it still means he's better than most in the league.

Maybe if Lebron/Wade weren't around he would be the heir apparent to best player in the league or have a shot but if were to take Melo as he is right now and stick him in the NBA any year post Jordan I can't think of a single year where he'd be a top 5 player.

I would put the primes of the following Post Jordan stars ahead of the best we've seen of Melo so far:

KG
Duncan
Lebron
Wade
Durant
Dirk
Webber
Tracy McGrady

TMS/Vmart..

This is a list of every all NBA selection for the last 22 years. How many years can you find where Melo's best season in his 7 season in the league is better than one of these guys?

The only one I can find so far is the '98 when Mourning was starting center but I'd take the '98 versions of Chris Webber, Shaq, Grant Hill and Gary Payton (2nd team that season) above anything Melo has done so far

in '99 you have Duncan, KG, Shaq, Kidd, Payton. I take all of those guys over Melo.

Last year it was Lebron, Wade, Kobe, Durant, Dwight Howard.

All of the above guys are elite at doin at least 2 things. Would ANY of these guys get traded for Melo?

What about Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Brook Lopez, Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, Rajon Rondo.
These are also guys that GMs may never consider trading for Melo.

Can you be a 1st tier superstar when there's arguably 11 guys in the league with more trade value than you?

Again, not a huge knock on Melo. He is still arguably one of the 10-20 best basketball players on a planet of billions.

Vmart/TMS

Who's on your list of 1st tier superstars in the league this season? How many people are on it?

Maybe this is all just semantics anyway...

My definition of elite level superstar:

If you had 5 guys in today's league playing a game for your life would this guy be in your starting five?

I find this very disturbing how do you not want Melo on the Knicks. I can't fathom anyone not wanting automatic playoffs. Two Superstars on one team. Having a go to player. A player that has done nothing but win since his arrival to the league. As for him being in LeBron's or Wade's class I beg to differ I feel that he is in Wade's class but not LeBron's. Everyone here finds a way to give Wade the nod over Melo for one reason only he won a Championship which he coat tailed to in the presence of Shaq. Wade and Melo are neck and neck with LeBron and Kobe clearly ahead of them. I was watching an interview on PTI with Kevin Love on the show. He was asked if Durrant was the best he ever saw. Love went on to say that LeBron is the best and Kobe is right there also said that Melo is still better than Durrant. This is all subjective its how you want to interpret it.

You want God to save the Knicks you better hope he delivers you Melo. If the KNicks are committed to Amare then you can't have a two fold team one that wants to rebuild with majority of the starting lineup and one that has championship aspiration. AR and Gallo don't give me championship aspiration but adding Melo gives me championship aspiration. As a Knicks fan that is all I want. I want to be in the mix for top team and let the chips fall where they may. Melo is more a superstar than Wade and even if he isn't I'd take my chances with Melo since he is possibly available.

YOU would trade Pau or Brook Lopez in a heartbeat

Well why aren't Mitch Kupchak and whoever the hell runs the Nets running to the phone with an offer? Are the guys who run these teams "insane" ?

Chicago wouldn't part with Noah. Is their GM "insane" ?

As for the whole oh Brook Lopez thing..I am so tired of people using the whole oh where did his team finish argument in judging his worth.

It's makes as much sense as me saying "Oh Melo never even got to the WCF so he sucks"

Speaking of illogical statements..Dude you just said

TMS " Melo is easily in my top 10 list of players in the NBA..." followed by "yeah i'm sure i can come up with a list of 10 guys i'd rather have than Melo"

Seriously?? He's a top 10 player but you could come up with a list of 10 guys you'd rather have? Your words. Not mine.

If all you meant to say was "Melo is the best player we've ever had a chance of obtaining since I've been a fan" then fine, I'd say yeah I agree.

Again I think Melo is probably one of the best basketball players on the planet but your posts are becoming increasing illogical and it doesn't even seem like we're having the same conversation.

I say Melo is a fantastic player, I just don't know if he's a 1st tier superstar.

You respond with YOU CAN'T PASS UP ON CARMELO BECAUSE YOU'RE AFRAID OF GIVING UP ANTHONY RANDOLPH. GIMME A FRIKKIN BREAK.

Where in this post do I say anything about being unwilling to give up Anthony Randolph?

Vmart:

I find it very disturbing that it appears you didn't even bother reading my post and all you automatically saw was me saying

"I would never trade for Carmelo Anthony"

In fact I did say:

He's not the best at his position.(that would be Lebron and Durant)
He's only made all-NBA second team only once.
He's never made All-NBA first team.
He's never made all defense.

The above statements are just the facts.

I don't see where the huge debate is on just simple facts.

I also said:

You can mention these facts and say that he's not in the class as Lebron and Wade and still believe:

- he can help the Knicks get better
- he's one of the best at his position.
- he's worth whatever package the Knicks could put together.

Vmart...what exactly disturbed you again?

Also there are people who make pretty in depth analysis on the value of Melo based on both conventional NBA Wisdom and more modern so called advanced statistics.

I'm not 100% sure they're right but I think their opinion is worth at least taking a look at before dismissing as simply insane. You said you think Melo is more of a superstar than Wade but didn't really follow up with any of the reasons why you think so.

TMS/VMart

I asked 2 simple questions not to be facetious or as rhetorical questions. You guys obviously have the same problem as I do. Caring way too much about basketball in general and the Knicks specifically and I was interested in your opinions. But both of you were too busy going into WE HAVE TO TRADE FOR CARMELO STUPID mode to address them:

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All-NBA_Team#1988.E2.80.9389_to_present

This is a list of every all NBA selection for the last 22 years. How many years can you find where Melo's best season in his 7 season in the league is better than one of these guys?

2. Who's on your list of Superstars in the league this season? How many people are on it?

If I didn't make it clear the first time around

You can believe that Melo is worth trading for and paying the max to

You can also believe that he's not a superstar.
You can believe that there are better fits for certain teams in the league. The Lakers need a guy with Pau's skill set WAY more than they need a scorer. Chicago needs someone with Noah's skill set because they already went out and got a scorer in Boozer.

These are not mutually exclusive.

Amare is a great finisher in the post and shooter in pick and pop. He's not as elite in rebounding and defense. Maybe getting a center who can supplement his weaknesses and be steller in defending the paint and rebounding or a Nash type to set him up and keep defenses honest would complement his skills as much or more than someone like Melo. It's debatable no?

Since there's so much frikkin debate about the values of AR, Gallo, and Melo I thought it would make sense to post what these guys had to say. Again..the people who write this stuff do their homework and watch a lot of basketball.

At no point do the authors of the book and at no point anywhere in this thread do I say it would be crazy to trade for Melo. Relax guys.

GodSaveTheKnicks wrote:
Vmart/TMS

Who's on your list of 1st tier superstars in the league this season? How many people are on it?

Maybe this is all just semantics anyway...

My definition of elite level superstar:

If you had 5 guys in today's league playing a game for your life would this guy be in your starting five?

This is my list and once again it is a subjective list as it is my opinion:

1. Kobe
2. LeBron
3. Melo
4. Wade
5. Durrant
6. Amare
7. Gasol
8. Bosh
9. CP3
10.Nowitski
11. Nash
12. Duncan
13. KG

Melo would be in the starting 5.

I have a question for you what do you want Melo in NY or stay the course and watch Amare suffer and fate of dealing with rebuilding in his prime years?