technomaster wrote:For what it's worth, Melo, if you're reading this - I'd love to have you on the Knicks... though any trade would still need to make sense and help us get closer to putting together a championship-caliber roster. :)

Yeah an dLeaon Rose, if you're listening, I think Melo would love it if you pulled some strings and brought Jonny Flynn and Andrea Bargnani along for the ride too.

i'm at the point where i just want this situation to be settled one way or the other so we can move on to other options if Melo isn't gonna be coming here... maybe Melo just feels the same way but getting frustrated over what his agents might be telling him that the Knicks aren't making a stronger push to get him to NY, even though it's really the Nuggets who have been pushing any attempts at negotiations to the side when it comes to dealing with us? those agents of his wanna get paid, bottomline... they've progressed far enough along in these negotiations to risk losing out on their precious commission checks.

Another league source said Knicks officials were perturbed to hear that Anthony was being told they were "dragging their heels" in their efforts to acquire Anthony. (Which could lend some sort of an explanation to the origins behind the latter part of this quote from Anthony after practice Monday in Denver): "Who wouldn't want to play in New York?" Anthony said. "I told you that last year. I think that's how all this stuff started, by me making that comment. New York is playing well right now. I don't think they're looking at me, they don't want me to come in here and mess what they have up. That's what I've read."

Someone needs to ask Anthony where he read that, because I do not believe it has been written. The Knicks remain very much interested in acquiring Anthony, but right now all they can do is wait for the Nuggets to re-engage them in further trade talks.

i think it's obvious Melo is being fed misinformation by his agents to try & convince him to sign off on this trade to go to NJ... Leon Rose desperately wants to get his other client Rip Hamilton out of Detroit & get them both to Brooklyn in 2012... Melo seriously needs to fire his agent & catch on with someone else who will look out for HIM rather than their own personal interests.

grillco wrote:

According to today's news, Amare has contacted Melo to let him personally know he'd love to play with him NY:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Agmzerzu7U8AO6UTkVYOx1G8vLYF?slug=aw-anthonystoudemire011111

Does this qualify at tampering? I sure hope not...

I was wondering the same thing, maybe Martin would know. At least Melo knows he's wanted in NY.

grillco wrote:

TMS wrote:http://espn.go.com/blog/new-yorkknicks/post/_/id/1942/on-the-carmelo-watch-tonight-watch-batum

Another league source said Knicks officials were perturbed to hear that Anthony was being told they were "dragging their heels" in their efforts to acquire Anthony. (Which could lend some sort of an explanation to the origins behind the latter part of this quote from Anthony after practice Monday in Denver): "Who wouldn't want to play in New York?" Anthony said. "I told you that last year. I think that's how all this stuff started, by me making that comment. New York is playing well right now. I don't think they're looking at me, they don't want me to come in here and mess what they have up. That's what I've read."

Someone needs to ask Anthony where he read that, because I do not believe it has been written. The Knicks remain very much interested in acquiring Anthony, but right now all they can do is wait for the Nuggets to re-engage them in further trade talks.

i think it's obvious Melo is being fed misinformation by his agents to try & convince him to sign off on this trade to go to NJ... Leon Rose desperately wants to get his other client Rip Hamilton out of Detroit & get them both to Brooklyn in 2012... Melo seriously needs to fire his agent & catch on with someone else who will look out for HIM rather than their own personal interests.

According to today's news, Amare has contacted Melo to let him personally know he'd love to play with him NY:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Agmzerzu7U8AO6UTkVYOx1G8vLYF?slug=aw-anthonystoudemire011111

Does this qualify at tampering? I sure hope not...

i dunno how the NBA can regulate friends talking to each other... as long as DW or MDA don't have any contact w/Melo i doubt it's much of an issue, otherwise the whole Miami big 3 situation would have already been investigated for the same

Amar'e Stoudemire won't confirm report he texted Carmelo Anthony about playing for New York Knicks

BY Frank Isola
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, January 13th 2011, 2:27 AM

SALT LAKE CITY - Amar'e Stoudemire would not confirm a report that he reached out to Carmelo Anthony via a text and told the Denver Nuggets All-Star that he wants him to play in New York.

"I haven't talked to him," Stoudemire said following the Knicks' 131-125 loss to Utah Wednesday night. "I've got so many friends I talk to throughout the league, but I haven't really talked to Carmelo at all."

Yahoo! Sports reported that Stoudemire contacted Anthony just days after the Denver star was quoted as saying he doubted the Knicks were still interested. Also, the Daily News reported that a former teammate of Stoudemire's with the Suns said that Stoudemire would prefer if the Knicks don't blow up their roster to acquire Anthony.

But when asked specifically if he told Anthony not to sign with the Nets, Stoudemire told reporters: "I don't know what Carmelo is doing. The situation is kinda hard for me to explain. I'm not sure what his camp is thinking, not sure what his thoughts are. Hopefully, he'll make the right decision for his family."

The Knicks are obviously interested in acquiring Anthony, but there are several hurdles to overcome. Do the Knicks have a package that is more attractive than what the Nets have offered? Does Donnie Walsh want to blow up the roster to add Anthony or does he take the chance that Anthony opts for free agency and signs with the Knicks in July.

"I don't have anything going with Denver," Walsh told The News Wednesday. "Nothing."

Several league executives question whether the Knicks would be willing to gut their roster to meet Denver's demands since the organization is enjoying its best season in 10 years. Plus, the Knicks may have to take back one or two long-term contracts from Denver.

"I get the sense that they (the Knicks) will ride it out," said one rival GM. "They're on a roll. Why mess with it."

"Look," Walsh said about being OK with keeping the status quo this season. "I had a plan and I'm trying to build on the plan. If there was a reason to change the plan I'd change it."

If the Knicks fail to acquire Anthony by the Feb. 24 trading deadline, there are other minor moves Walsh could make. The Knicks are looking for a backup center and have interest in Portland's Marcus Camby. The Knicks are also in the market for a backup point guard.

apparently Amare didn't contact Melo if u believe what he's saying.

btw, just found this part funny:

CURRYING FAVOR
Walsh recently spoke to Eddy Curry and told the disgruntled center that he is encouraged by his progress.

BlueSeats wrote:

Allanfan20 wrote:

BlueSeats wrote:

Nalod wrote: Melo is a better version of Glenn Rice or Glenn Big dog Robinson not Magic or Bird!

I take your point but I do think you're exaggerating.

First, we don't know what we really need to give up to get him, and most of us propose sensible deals that don't clear the cupboard.

Second, while Melo is certainly no Lebron/Bird, he's also not a Crawford type who's never gotten anywhere. He led a vastly mediocre Nuggets team to the playoffs (after 17 wins the year prior) as a 19 year old, with a 21/6/3 statline. Again, that was at 19 and they've never missed the playoffs since.

Third, while his D is not as consistent as we might like, I've seen him play Kobe as tough as anyone, so the ability s there. Whether this is the coach to maximize his defensive potential remains to be seen, but that's equally true of anyone we might get.

Blueseats, ability is fine and good, but Melo has been in the league for how many years now? Kobe plays defense consistently as does LeBron. Melo is NOT dedicated to the defensive end at all and never has been and if it's been this long, he probably never will be. He just doesn't put the effort in, meanwhile Gallo and Chandler do, CONSISTENTLY.

To top it off, scoring isn't our problem. Melo is not a nesessity to this team.

Halfcourt scoring never goes out of style, especially in the playoffs. We've seen what happens when the PnR breaks down or Amare is smothered. And while I respect the consistency of effort, Chandler/Gallo's best does not yet equal Melo's best.

I keep in mind how MDAs system makes players look better than they are, and I don't totally expect it to carry over into the playoffs, where systems tend to level out and talent is decisive. However, while he can make budding stars into stars, he can also make stars into MVP candidates. So I wouldn't assume Gallo/Chandler's progress would continue upward while Melo's would remain flat, I'd expect Melo's superiority to remain constant.

Excellent post. Its pretty much whay I've been saying in the plethora of Melo threads. When the game slows, and the systems break down in the playoffs, you need a guy who can get his own shot. Melo can do that.