H1AND1 wrote:NardDogNation wrote:H1AND1 wrote:There is absolutely NO WAY we get back a high lottery pick for Carmelo. It isn't happening. Fantasizing about this draft is tempting but that ship sailed when we stupidly gave away an unprotected pick and far too many assets for Melo (Thanks Dolan!). Anyway, the Nuggets would never do this deal nor would the Clippers. Never, no chance in hell. And thats the reality. Our best case scenario is that Carmelo walks (or is traded but we wont get back nearly as much as we gave away and again, not a high lottery pick for a 30 y.o. one dimensional player who is a FA to be to boot) and we bottom out then win a high lottery pick in 2015 which cannot be traded by the morons at MSG. Thank god for that...
Just repeating the same line in two paragraphs does not make what you are saying, true. Context matters and even though what you say is true for most teams, it is not true for the Clippers who are in a very unique situation. They've got a star in Griffin but he is not ready to carry a team offensively, while DeAndre Jordan is still raw and very much a liability. Simply put, the status quo for the Clippers will not win a title. Trading for Melo and Chandler, however, gives them a damn good shot, given their veteran polish and production. Those two, with Chandler ailing and their supporting cast faltering, still pushed Indiana to six games. Now, imagine what they could with a legitimate superstar in Chris Paul getting them easy shots. The Clippers could very well become favorites to win it all.
While there is little benefit in building around Griffin from our perspective, there is for Denver who have a supporting cast in place that relieves him of the need to be a prototypical franchise player. For the Nuggets, Griffin can blend seemlessly into what they do to the tune of 20-10-3 as a post presence, which they lack. There is also the obvious benefit of him being a major fan attraction, which adds value that is often overlooked in this BUSINESS. And what are the Nuggets really giving up? Half seasons from Gallo and Chandler? The pick is the only thing that has significant value from their perspective and Blake Griffin more than compensates for it. All in all, this works pretty well for all teams involved.
Yes, context matters: If Melo and Chandler are such high impact players why haven't they dragged this Knicks roster to respectability? If the Clippers are one move away from a championship why aren't we hearing reports of Sterling beating down Dolan's door?
Listen, no need to try to belittle my opinion on this trade because I happened to repeat myself. I'm not the best writer. My second paragraph was more intended to state what I thought was the best way forward as depressing as it is. But at the end of the day were talking _hypothetical_ trade scenarios here so nothing is true or false.
I also honestly don't think Carmelo makes the Clippers all that much better. They are already one of the top offensive teams. Does Melo really make them better? If he is such a difference maker why are _WE_ a better offensive team?
I don't know man, I mean, I love your trade scenario but I just can't let myself get ginned up over what amounts to a fantasy. It's only going to lead to disappointment. We need to bottom out next year and win the draft. That's the best and most realistic way forward from this mess.
There was no intent to offend on my part. If I did, I apologize.
As for the Clippers, there have been tons of public criticisms about Blake Griffin and his ability to be the star that they need in the playoffs. Many of those talking heads (e.g. Bill Simmons, Stephen A., and Charles Barkley) have suggested the need for a trade of either Jordan or Griffin, primarily as a means to acquire a player that is capable of creating offense. I've seen a lot of Kevin Love (superior player) for Griffin (better contractual security) on this premise, as well as a means of creating better floor spacing. Melo for the record, does ALL the above, is less injury prone and carries greater name recognition (evidenced by all-star voting for the past decade), which translates better on the business side of things. Melo is also best friends with Chris Paul, which definitely gives us a leg up considering that his demands run the franchise (he got Doc Rivers there, after all). Why then would it be so absurd to see something like this happen, especially with all the moving parts in play (e.g. them getting an upgrade in Tyson Chandler AND Kenneth Faried)?
There is no doubt Melo makes them better! Some people like to wallow in misery but the fact is that Melo is an excellent player who has his flaws like any other. What he has shown in Denver (with Billups), in the Olympics and last season though is that his ability can be maximized and his flaws mitigated with a capable supporting cast and sufficient starpower. Just for perspective, the Knicks pushed Indiana- the only team people consider capable of challenging the Heat- to 6 games last season with Melo, (an unhealthy)Tyson and a faltering supporting cast . Now, imagine what a team could do with Melo, a healthy Tyson AND CP3 (aka the 3rd-5th best player in the league); with guys like Kenneth Faried (one of the best rebounders in the league), JJ Redick (one of the best shooters/moving without the ball guys in the league), Jared Dudley (same as Redick and also a solid defender) and Darren Collision (the best PG off the bench this year) and no offensive liabilities like DeAndre Jordan. That's championship favorite status especially with Doc Rivers at the helm, IMO.
Even Denver has a tremendous incentive in this deal because they still own our 2016 pick and if we begin to rebuild, it only increases the probability of it being a better pick. So as much as they'd be losing our pick in 2014 (which would probably be between 16-20), they'd be maximizing another that could potentially be a lottery pick AND have Blake Griffin. I think they make this trade. The only question is if the Knicks would have the gumption to blow things up, which they should if we can get a legitimate shot at drafting Joel Embiid, Jabari Parker, Andrew Wiggins, Julius Randle or Marcus Smart (in that order). If that materializes, then the second objective should be to pick Dante Exum, who looks like he'll be an excellent player.
12/28/2013 12:45 AM