Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James were the two biggest names in the 2003 NBA Draft. I believe it is safe to say both players have exceeded their expectations coming into the NBA. LeBron has won the MVP award four times in the last five years. Carmelo has a scoring title under his belt. He is arguably the best scorer in the game today. Due to Kevin Durant's slight frame, Carmelo maybe the toughest defensive assignment in the league.
As we all know, father time is undefeated in the world of sports. Steve Nash and Kevin Garnett were both in their MVP prime in 2003. Look at what father time has done to their production.
The 2003 NBA Draft was without any doubt one of the best in league history. LeBron, Carmelo, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh were all top five selections that year. Darko Milicic is the only top five selection in this draft class to have never been named to an all-star team. Numerous players selected in the 2003 NBA Draft have had solid careers. David West, Kendrick Perkins and Steve Blake to name few.
Many of Carmelo's peers have had great success in the postseason. A championship is the one accomplishment that Carmelo is missing. If by some miraculous stroke of luck, the Knicks sneak into the playoffs their record goes out the window. Carmelo has to play with the mind-set that the Knicks can win it all this season. As bogus as that may sound, once your in the tournament you have an opportunity. In 1999 the Knicks upset both Miami and Indiana in rout to the NBA Finals.
Wither New York qualifies for the playoffs or not the fact remains Carmelo is not a young man anymore. If he decides to sign with the Knicks the team has to assure him of immediate changes to the roster. Turning 30 is a wake-up call to any professional athlete. Carmelo's legacy will depend heavily on wither or not he is able to win a ring in the next few years.
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There is no doubt that Carmelo is one of the players in the NBA. However, it takes the effort of the whole team to make it the championship. With the team as it stands now do you think Carmelo has the support he needs to bring the championship to New York?
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