The loaded
For many seasons, the Eastern Conference had been lagging behind their Western counterparts talent-wise. Not only do stars get aligned along the Pacific coast, their supporting cast can very well be starters on the lesser blessed teams on the Atlantic side.
Consider the recent transfer of New York’s supposed savior Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks acquired him from Denver in 2011 with the hope of bringing back lost glory to a tradition-rich and economically profitable franchise and who was responsible in their playoff run for two consecutive seasons. Injuries hampered Melo recently and with a much publicized conflict with then GM Phil Jackson, the distressed liberator requested for a trade.
Long story short, the 10-time All-Star, 4-time Olympian
and 3-time Olympic gold medallist is now teammates with Russell Westbrook and Paul George and the trio will together roll in the thunder for Oklahoma City.
As a great isolation shooter, he will thrive in OKC. Melo moves well without the ball and can practically launch those shots from anywhere. With George as the other wing, Westbrook will have fun directing traffic and finding either of his two terrific wings.
Kevin Durant’s exodus to the Bay Area left a big void in OKC but with new residents George and Melo, a much louder and resounding thunderclap will be heard from Oklahoma in the days to come. And yes, at least four Western Conference teams will be making life uncomfortable for the Warriors.
On the other side of the fence, a ball dominant player will never agree to a bench role. Melo had been a starter all his basketball life and with it come the accompanying status, the requisite swag. If Coach Billy Donovan decides to stick to the tested starting unit, it could complicate things.
Melo coming off the bench will bruise his ego. Used to the adulation and being the de facto franchise image of his previous team, a big adjustment from his end will be made and I think it will be a long and hard journey to transition. The second unit will not suit him and he will sulk and whine if Donovan makes Melo as their sixth man.
Another all-star is set to change zip codes as soon as waivers will be cleared later today or early tomorrow. Dwayne Wade and the Chicago Bulls had agreed to part ways in a “purely basketball decision”. Unlike Melo, DWade had been aware of his limitations and would be content in a support role.
Reportedly, Cleveland, Miami and OKC have strong interests in his services. Already, LeBron James and Melo had voiced their eagerness to have D-Wade as their teammate. Wade had been instrumental in bringing LeBron to Miami and he’s returning the favor and pitching for him to be a Cav. I would very much like to see D-Wade back in Miami and be a mentor to the rising talents on the team. Besides, UdonisHaslem who had been his teammate for more than a decade, considers him a brother. He will be comfortable back home in South Beach.
The balance of power still tilts heavily to the West that only Cleveland and Boston, barring injuries and unexpected player movements, are clear favorites to dominate the East.