The NY Knicks are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history -- correction, American sports history. The Knicks have always been in the headlines, for better or for worst, but the 2016-2017 season has got to be an all-time low.
There are plenty of moments that could serve as great examples of just how far this great franchise has fallen. In fact, just this week, the world was treated to a little bit of the NY disaster as we witnessed maligned owner James Dolan issue a lifetime ban to former Knick Charles Oakley.
Of course, amidst all this hysteria, the elephant is still in the room: Melo. Carmelo Anthony is a proud member of the banana boat crew and is what they like to call in the basketball world a "bucket" because of his uncanny ability to score the basketball. Long story short, Melo is the real deal and like it or not, he is a first ballot hall-of-fame kind of talent. But, this shouldn't come as a surprise to any sports fan, especially basketball fan, unless they live under a rock.
The world has witnessed the small rebirth of the NY Knicks when Melo left the Denver Nuggets to become a member fo this storied franchise back in 2011. The initial years after Melo's arrival saw the Knicks returning to the playoffs, winning their first playoff series since 2000 and watching Melo fill it up year after year. Sadly, this success could only be taken with a grain of salt because much like the rest of his career, Melo still couldn't seem to get over the hump. After a few years of small successes, the Knicks hit a wall. They were no longer a threat in a weak eastern conference, they began reaching with their free agent signings and most strangely of all, fans even had the audacity to boo the only man who has been worth anything to this franchise over the past 6 years, Carmelo Anthony.
So, here we are in 2017. The Knicks are worst than ever, Melo claims he wants to stay in NY, the trade rumors are hotter than ever and Knicks fans are fed up of the circus that their beloved Knickerbockers have become.
The sad truth is that Melo needs to go. Carmelo Anthony has been a great ambassador for the NBA and the game of basketball, but if he wants to have his career amount to anything other than a sad sob story and a bunch of excuses made because of the poor management of the Knicks or by the "tattle-tale"-like nature of the stories that George Karl wrote in his autobiography.
The last thing a star of Melo's caliber wants to do is be the grumpy old man who reminisces about his glory days without a ring to show for it -- we're looking at you Charles Barkley.
Carmelo has done his duty in New York. He has represented them with class, has stayed out or trouble, and is 33 years old, meaning he only has so many years left in his prime. Any basketball fan will tell you that Melo has his faults -- namely, his uncanny ability to slow down an offense and his inconsistent defensive displays. All the criticisms aside, he is a rare talent and a trade needs to happen before the trade deadline.
We've seen a LeBron and D-Wade team up, getting Bron over the hump and now it's time for the other half of the banana boat crew to team up to get their first rings together (CP3, Melo).
There are many different ways to breakdown just how atrocious the Knicks have been, but the best way I can sum it up is that they have become the Cleveland Browns of the NBA -- a joke.
In a city with as much heart as New York, they've got to do better and at this point, they owe it to Melo to give him a chance to win a ring elsewhere. Also, Melo, we know you love New York, but it's time to let go.
Oh, and Phil Jackson, as a fan of the game, there will always be love for the "Zen Master", but you're on thin ice and it's time to let Melo find a new "posse" to hoop with.
