NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

"Carmelo Watch 2010 - 2011" is finally over. After about 8 long months of back and forth negotiations, Anthony finally gets his ultimate wish and is headed home to New York. Some say the Knicks gave up too much for a team that doesn't do anything for them this year. While that may be true, I don't think that ever was their intent. The Knicks never were an East favorite this year for the Finals to begin with, so it's not like they were breaking up a championship team by making the trade. Anytime you can get a proven player of Carmelo's caliber, more times than not you have to do it despite the cost. Speaking of the cost, the Knicks may have got Carmelo cheaper by trading for him and getting him to agree to a contract extension then they would have had they just acquired him as a free agent this summer, which would be a big bonus. Finally the 'X' factors. One, they keep Fields who has been outstanding as a rookie, and can only get better. Two, although a lot of their success this year was due to Raymond Felton's play, Chauncey Billups is no slouch. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he had inspired play the rest of the season, and all of his post season experience will be a huge lift to the team when it comes time to contend for a title. Of course there are some downsides: losing Felton and Gallinari especially, and how an aging Billups will keep up with D'Antoni's fast style of play. But there are always some downsides. For now, the city of New York should be rejoicing. In 10 short months they have gone from irrelevant to possible contender, and Isiah Thomas is still no where to be seen. That alone deserves a parade.