The Carmelo Trade: One Month Later

Last night, the New York Knicks somehow managed to blow a game against the Boston Celtics that should appeared locked up.  Leading by as many as 18 points, the Celtics clawed back and closed the game on a 23-4 run over the last eight minutes of the game.  The loss drops the Knicks to .500, one game behind Philadelphia for the 6th seed, and a measly 7-9 since trading for Carmelo one month ago.  So much for all the media hype, huh?

Meanwhile, quietly and without the media distraction, George Karl has the Denver Nuggets playing some of their best basketball of the year.  The Nuggets have gone 10-4 since trading Carmelo away and reloading their roster with an arsenal of weapons.

Carmelo may be one of the best pure scorers in the league, but one would find it hard to argue that facing the Nuggets' lineup right now would pose bigger threats than the Knicks'.  The Nuggets have a plethora of options of the offensive end, using their size, speed and shooting to create mismatches at almost every position.  The Knicks have isolation plays for Carmelo and a poorly-run pick and roll between Billups and Amar'e.

One of the biggest differences between these two teams is their approach on defense.  The Nuggets post a defensive efficiency of almost two full points higher than the Knicks.  Carmelo and Amar'e lead a Knicks team that ranks 21st in the league in defensive efficiency and their efforts in games reflect that statistic.  The Nuggets also top the league in offensive efficiency as well.  They are scoring more points and giving up fewer on the defensive end, all with seemingly less talent in the media's eyes.

Somewhere George Karl is smiling.  I can't imagine that when he heard the news of the trade he was thrilled with the results.  But as a true testament to his coaching abilities, Karl has taken this eclectic team and transformed it into a first-round nightmare.  The Knicks will likely face either the Celtics or the Heat in the first round.  Given their meltdown last night and overall inability to play cohesively, should either one of those teams be worried?

Unless there is a serious attitude adjustment in the areas of defense and playing a team-first offense, the New York Knicks will not make any noise in the East.  On the other side of the trade, I pity the team that has to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round.