Photo: Twitter @BleacherReport
The Hoodie Melo alter-ego we've been adoring this offseason is positively in full effect, as the 33-year old is now a part of the Oklahoma City Thunder. OKC has done it again with the stellar offseason moves, as the Knicks on Saturday agreed to trade the 10-time NBA All-Star, in exchange for Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and a 2nd round pick.
There's no doubt Carmelo is one of the NBA's best pure scorer; his offensive repertoire is one we have never seen before and is often underappreciated. Still, this sudden trade plants pondering questions, such as whether if Carmelo didn't fully meet expectations in New York, how he'll fit in with Oklahoma City, & how it impacts the NBA.
The Nightmare in New York Finally Comes to an End
Carmelo spent the last 6 years of his 14-year career in his hometown of New York, after a blockbuster deal in 2011 that sent him to New York from the Denver Nuggets. During this tenure was when Melo exploded offensively, averaging nearly 25 points a game, and had remarkable scoring games, such as scoring 50 points in a 102-90 win over the Miami Heat in the 2012-13 season (making him the first player in NBA history to record 50+ points with no baskets in the paint). In addition, he leads his team into their only 50-win season in 2013, and their first playoff series win against the Boston Celtics since 2000. In spite of this, New York finished 207-269 in Melo’s full six seasons with the Knicks, a clearly mediocre winning percentage.
While one could argue that Melo's flaws and ego hindered the team's success, in reality, the Knicks was the parasite that sucked the life and potential out of Carmelo and the franchise.
The Knicks made Phil Jackson president of basketball operations in an attempt to revitalize the organization and save Carmelo. Instead for the past 3 years, Phil chopped and screwed the roster, surrounding Anthony with lackadaisical talent, that then resulted in losing records for 3 straight seasons. Phil Jackson didn't hesitate to add his two cents on weaknesses in Melo's game either. Melo still kept his professionalism intact and proceeded to play hard for a franchise that threw him under the bus.
As for the Knicks, forward Kristaps Porziņģis is the front-runner to become a true superstar, and picking up impressive talent in Enes Kanter, who at the 4 position, could help slow the game down for offense, and Doug McDermott, a sharpshooter from Creighton, gives the Knicks optimism for a bright future.
Melo's Fit in Oklahoma City Photo: SlamOnline
If Russell Westbrook and newly-acquired Paul George made a formidable duo in OKC, adding Carmelo to the equation creates an exciting powerhouse trio.
Carmelo can most certainly help fill the void of 3-point shooting, in which the Thunder was dead last in 3-point shooting rankings last season, at just 37.2 percent. As a catch-and-shoot player, Carmelo has a 42.6 percent conversion rate on three-point attempts. From this, attention drawn on Westbrook and George should allow these spot-up attempts to be widespread, unlocking "Hoodie Melo". However, the 'Big 3' of OKC are quite ball dominant individually, lacking the unselfish ball movement of their Western Conference counterparts. Still, an isolation offense can be created to enable
good chemistry and consistent scoring. The defensive dominance of
Steven Adams and Andre Roberson, as well as complimentary bench pieces Jerami Grant and Patrick Patterson, helps maintain a balance the Thunder needs to stay on top in the West. ​
What Melo's Move Definitely Means For The NBA
While the move doesn't really impact the Warriors as they still have that guy (Kevin Durant that is), it raises them higher up in the whirlwind of the Western Conference. Not only does the Western Conference have powerhouse teams like Golden State, Houston & now Oklahoma City, the East now have a place in the NBA with a whole revitalized Boston Celtics (acquiring Gordon Hayward & Kyrie Irving) and a more exciting Cavs team, who just acquired Dwayne Wade, after agreeing to a buyout contract from the Chicago Bulls. So get your popcorn ready for an NBA season of the ages (and an anticipated 30 for 30 of the Golden State Warriors-Oklahoma City debacle).