The visions that Knicks fans had of the Larry O’Brien trophy over a year ago when the team signed Amar’e Stoudemire and then acquired Carmelo Anthony have all but disappeared. After more than a season of sub-.500 ball together, it’s starting to look like the Knicks need more than just ‘Melo and Amar’e to contend for a title. In fact, many wonder if they will have to get rid of one of their stars in order to do so.
Stephon Marbury believes they will. Simply put, Marbury doesn’t think Stoudemire and Anthony are a good fit together.
“Amare needs a point guard like Steve Nash (to thrive),” Marbury told ESPN New York on Wednesday. “He’s a pick-and-roll guy, a pick-and-pop guy. He can’t play in the half court where everything’s slowed down.”
Marbury has a point, and that became evident when Stoudemire thrived with ‘Melo on the bench and Jeremy Lin running the point. When asked if he believes Carmelo and Amar’e can win together, Stephon simply said “nope” before questioning the Knicks’ motivation behind trading for ‘Melo.
“I don’t know if (Knicks owner James) Dolan brought him in to win games or to make money,” he said. “I think it was to make money.”
Marbury has been known for saying some pretty crazy stuff and we know he hates the Knicks, but his assessment is actually spot-on here. Stoudemire relies on steady point guard play in order to thrive, and he doesn’t get that with a guy like Anthony who needs the ball in his hands most of the time. Will it ever work? Only time will tell, but at this point there’s no reason to believe it will.
