words_Brandon Richard

At Carmelo Anthony’s wedding to Lala Vasquez back in July of 2010, it was reported by the New York Post that New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul toasted to a potential future in New York playing alongside friends Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire. Since then, it’s been widely speculated that Anthony would force a trade to the New York Knicks this season or sign with the team outright during the offseason. After a long process that included other teams trying to reel in the All-Star forward, Carmelo Anthony is indeed the second domino to fall in the “New York Toast,” as a deal was completed to send him to the Knicks on Monday night.

In exchange, the Denver Nuggets received a healthy package that included point guard Raymond Felton, forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, center Timofey Mozgov, cash, a first-round pick and two second-round picks. On the way to New York with Carmelo Anthony are guards Chauncey Billups and Anthony Carter, forward Renaldo Balkman and center Shelden Williams.

Many view this trade as a victory of sorts for the Nuggets, whose leverage to make a deal dwindled with Anthony’s reluctance to sign an extension elsewhere. It has been reported that the decisions of Knicks Team President Donnie Walsh were overridden by Team Owner Jim Dolan. Walsh was in the process of executing a plan that would have either sent less to Denver to acquire Anthony or brought him in as a free agent during the offseason, leaving the remaining trade assets to trade for a third superstar. According to Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski, a close ally to Walsh was quoted as saying, “This is all Dolan. All Isiah. All (Worldwide) Wes and Leon Rose.”

Still, the Knicks have to be excited to now floor one of the best 1-2 scoring punches in the league. Stoudemire and Anthony are currently both within the Top Six of the scoring list, averaging a combined 51 points per game. The addition of Billups and Coach Mike D’Antoni’s system make the Knicks an offensive threat every night.

There are a few concerns worth pointing out, though. Will the Anthony/Stoudemire tandem be able to function as a cohesive unit? Compromising their depth to make this trade, how do the Knicks compete with a team like Boston in seven games? How will teaming up two superstars who have never been known for playing great defense in a system that doesn’t encourage defense pan out? We’ll find out the answers to these questions in New York’s remaining 26 regular season games.

In a separate deal, the Knicks acquired forward Corey Brewer from the Timberwolves, sending forward Anthony Randolph, center Eddy Curry and cash to Minnesota.

What do you think about Carmelo Anthony teaming up with Amar’e in New York? Is this team good enough to win a championship as is, or is there still much work to be done?