Schmeelk: Carmelo Anthony, Knicks Remain On Different Schedules
By John Schmeelk
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So apparently Phil Jackson and Carmelo Anthony had a chat about the future of the Knicks, and both men walked away happy with the exchange.
Both men must have only heard what they wanted to hear, since both continue to run away from the simple truth they both refuse to accept: Anthony and the Knicks are on two completely different and irreconcilable schedules.
MORE: 5 Trade Scenarios Involving The Knicks' Carmelo Anthony
If the Knicks somehow land Kevin Durant or LeBron James this offseason, that fact would change, but that's not going to happen. Mike Conley might even be a pipe dream.
Nearly every NBA team is going to have cap space this summer, and there will be more competition to sign free agents than ever before. The list of available difference makers is not long. Even if Arron Afflalo and Derrick Williams opt out and the team has max space, the chance the Knicks walk away with a player or even a set of players that makes them a championship contender is slim to none.
Anthony has talked about recruiting a top point guard, and has even mentioned Rajon Rondo. Within days, Jackson said he didn't seem to think there was a need to land a top point guard due to the system the Knicks play. Perhaps the Knicks can make some moves to get them close to .500 next season, but it is hard to imagine they would be much better than that unless Kristaps Porzingis takes an unlikely huge jump in Year 2 or Jackson swallows his pride and hires a difference-making defensive coach in Tom Thibodeau.
Is sneaking into the playoffs as an eighth seed and getting whacked in the first round really what Anthony has in mind for the last few remaining years of his career? Would that satisfy him?
Anthony spoke about how the team has to take advantage of its available money in free agency and hit the ground running, as though every other team in the NBA isn't thinking the same exact thing. At some point, a player is still going to have to choose to come play with the Knicks rather than taking the same, or more, money from another team in a far better position to make a championship run.
Anthony's insistence also puts Jackson in an unenviable position of dealing with pressure to accelerate the Knicks' rebuilding process. Anthony will not sit there and accept slowly building a young roster around Porzingis, the only realistic way of developing a championship-caliber team in the long run. Playing the free agency lottery is not a way to build a team.
Would Jackson fear (or owner James Dolan's insistence worry) of losing Anthony push Jackson to sign players this offseason that wouldn't be in the long-term interest of the team, even if it adds a few wins in 2016? There is no better player that fits that mold than Rondo.
Despite stuffing the box score in Sacramento, the Kings have played better when Rondo isn't in the game. His defense, once a strength, is now well below average. He still can't shoot the ball with any type of consistency. He holds the ball searching hopelessly for the home-run pass that leads to an assist, rather than running the offense and moving the ball.
A guard that can't shoot or play defense well is exactly the opposite type of player the Knicks need to add at the point guard position. Melo's big plan is to go use his star power to sign a player that probably wouldn't help the Knicks win any more games next year.
The Knicks cannot under any circumstances let Anthony's wishes for short-term incremental improvement disturb a real long-term rebuilding plan. The team can't throw long-term money away chasing mediocre players. They can't trade future draft picks. If a free agent fits both long- and short-term needs, then sign him. But keeping Anthony happy can't be the goal, even if it means he demands a trade.
When Anthony re-signed with the Knicks in 2014, this situation was sadly predictable. It was written about endlessly. Anthony was nearing 30 and signing with a team that was far closer to rebuilding than winning a title.
For a player concerned about his legacy and being considered a winning basketball player, it was completely opposed to his self-interest. Whether the dollars clouded his eyesight or not, he signed on to a losing team.
Now the first two seasons of his new contract have played out much like many foresaw. The team is losing games and Anthony is seeing the final prime years of his career dripping away, losing more games than he is winning. The last time he played in a playoff game seems like eons ago. Everyone saw this coming except for one person, Anthony. Now it's here. How the Knicks and their star handle it is the next fulcrum moment for the Knicks organization.
You can follow me on twitter at twitter.com/Schmeelk for everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports.
For everything Knicks, Giants and the world of sports, follow John on Twitter at @Schmeelk.
