Warriors still the team to beat in West
So the Knicks gave away Carmelo Anthony to the Thunder, who now have their own Big 3 as he joins MVP and triple-double machine Russell Westbrook and another highway robbery acquisition, Paul George. And what does it mean out West in the NBA? Not much. “Golden State is still the class of the West by far,” one rival executive said of the reigning champs.
“The West is so strong. Would you say the Thunder can compete for the second, third or fourth spot?” proposed another executive. “Yes, but I still don’t think they’re as good as Golden State.”
Several executives and scouts canvassed about the trade were shocked at the return of a secondround pick, Enes Kanter and Doug McDermott the Knicks received for the 10-time All-Star.
“Are the Thunder a better team than they were yesterday? Yes. Are the Knicks a worse team than they were yesterday? Yes,” one scout said. “The fact they got a second-round pick says they really wanted Carmelo gone. And they needed another center? Unless they’re going to buy [Joakim] Noah out. Kanter is a horrible defender.”
Regarding West status, OKC now has three no-doubt studs. But like everybody out West not residing in the Bay Area, being second-best may be the 2017-18 prize. The Warriors simply are that good with Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and a bench that would start in 10 cities.
“We should be deeper. We’ve got a lot of size, too,” Durant said. Oh goody, said 29 teams. “Our goal has always been the same,” Green said. “Be the best version of us we can be.”
And that version is better than everybody else. Houston, which was Anthony’s preferred destination because of buddy Chris Paul, has high hopes, adding Paul to MVP candidate James Harden. Paul never has been to a conference final and a general feeling is defending other point guards is not big on his to-do list. Harden, who turned in a stupefying no-show in Game 6 against San Antonio, also is said to be less than keen on guarding any guards.
“OKC may have solidified third [in the West] with this trade,” said one talent evaluator. “Golden State is the class. And I’m going with the history of San Antonio. You’ve got to show me you can catch them. OKC might even be fourth.”
One element came up frequently: Is one basketball enough for Anthony, Westbrook and George?
“Talk about a team that is going to have to learn to how to share the ball,” one scout said.
“OKC gave up nothing. Melo is a talent. I’ve got to believe he’s going to show that New York was wrong,” said one Eastern Conference GM, who forecast Anthony in a bench role. “He has to complement the other two guys. He can’t go in there thinking he’s the star. He has to know it’s the other two guys’ team. They could be second best out West. Again they gave up nothing.”