May 13th, 1994.
Knicks, Bulls Game 3.
The Knicks had the lead in the final seconds of the game, and had only one last opportunity to win the game. Phil Jackson had a play planned out to give Toni Kukoc the ball as a sort of surprise since he is a mere rookie and Scottie Pippen had been the go-to guy all season since Michael Jordan left. Pippen however absolutely lost it and refused to even go out to the court to participate in the final shot.
This was the playoffs.
He put his frustrations in front of the game, in front of the entire team. He thought of only himself, and nearly cost the Bulls a game in the playoffs against their dreaded 90s rival. If it weren’t for Kukoc overcoming the disastrous meltdown on the bench they would have been down 0-3 to a deadly New York team. It was rather ironic the person that hit the game-winner would be an excellent team player that got traded AFTER Scottie Pippen even though Pippen was clearly the better player when all is said and done.
So when you are an amazing player that lacks the ability to actually lead your team to a championship, this is the Scottie Pippen Syndrome. When you lack the leadership, the drive, the desire, and the selflessness to push a team to a championship, this is Scottie Pippen Syndrome. Pippen’s move on that fateful night could have led the Bulls to a horribly embarrassing sweep in 1994 if it had not been for Kukoc.
Carmelo Anthony has Scottie Pippen Syndrome, so therefore he must be traded.
New York Knicks, you need to trade him. He is not good enough to lead you far in the playoffs---getting past the first round only twice, and the previous time was practically a gift because of the lack of Rajon Rondo from the Boston side. And he has worked with great players, great coaches, and a great organization and still couldn’t get the job done. The Knicks are in a ridiculously weak Eastern Conference and they have absolutely no excuse for having weaker records than the Atlanta Hawks, the Washington Wizards, Charlotte Bobcats, and the Toronto Raptors. Even the Derrick Rose-less Chicago Bulls holds a better record!
Carmelo only thinks of himself. He only thinks of the mighty dollar, of the fame, of the fortune, nothing more. He takes 35-45 shots a game and couldn’t give up that ball if the ball was an explosive. He held the Nuggets hostage and forced them to trade him to the Knicks. He is holding the Knicks hostage in a similar manner by not discussing his future, not agreeing to any sort of long-term agreement, and really not making any strides to improve his game to try to be more inclusive to his teammates.
That game when he scored 62? Zero assists.
The New York Knicks have no draft picks, no future, and little to no chance of convincing Carmelo to take in less money to try to acquire more talent for the upcoming future in the manner LeBron/Wade accomplished when they formed their Big Three. The Knicks have nothing to lose because although the market value of Carmelo is high, his value to the team is getting smaller every passing day, every passing game, every passing frustratingly dismal loss.
Carmelo would be absolutely perfect for the middle-of-the-hill West teams looking for their big boost to get past the Spurs, the Thunder, and the rising Blazers. I can see the Clippers, Warriors, and even the Suns being interested. I can see the Bulls being interested especially now that they can’t depend on Derrick Rose anymore. Even the Hawks, that are a terrible 3-seed in the East, could make a nice push for Carmelo. Either way, Knicks need more pieces from the Draft, and Carmelo can net them at least two.
Despite being a mildly arrogant and a very selfish player, he still has the talent to make other teams better. He just needs to really work on that game, and have the right coach to whip him into shape. Carmelo is still a Top-25 player, just not a Prime or Franchise player. He would make a great Scottie Pippen, a sidekick that can still deliver the necessary points while cooperating with an actual leader and player of equal talent that can indeed drive the team towards the finals. The Knicks know that for a long time they cannot provide that barring a miracle or a very small contract to a great, great player. Doing this trade not only gives Carmelo another shot at a ring, but gives the Knicks a far better shot at a ring down the road. Besides, do you honestly see Carmelo signing again with New York and being the lone wolf of the franchise?
Scottie Pippen needed Michael Jordan to get those rings. Carmelo needs a second special player to get that elusive ring. And he knows this. He’s not stupid.
But he needs to be traded, for the good of Madison Square Garden basketball. Scottie Pippen Syndrome is an incurable disease.
Just ask Dwight Howard.
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