http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/no_turning_mac_r0DpIPz9IqGNzJj5bXe4LM?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME= If the Knicks did not make the Tracy McGrady/draft pick trade with the Rockets last February, there's a good chance Carmelo Anthony would be a Knick today -- alongside Amar'e Stoudemire. The future assets that could have gone this fall to Denver instead went to Houston president Daryl Morey last winter -- as TNT's Steve Kerr recently pointed out. The "T-Cap" trade opened up cap room for two maximum contract players, but the Knicks only got one. And T-Mac turned into a bust, now playing in Detroit. "We did it to clear cap room. We tried to get two big guys in here," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni told The Post. "It didn't quite work out the way we wanted it to but the plan was good. We got Amar'e and a couple of guys out if it. We swung for the fences and it didn't quite work out. But the plan was solid." N.Y. POST: CHARLES WENZELBERG MAC MENTALITY: The Knicks are still smarting from dealing for Tracy McGrady last season. Said coach Mike D'Antoni, 'It didn't quite work out the way we wanted it to.' The Rockets' invasion of the Garden tonight is a reminder of the deal's failure. The game also is imperative to win for several reasons, including its connection to the trade. There is no team Knicks president Donnie Walsh is rooting against more than the Rockets, with the possibility of the trade becoming even more disastrous than it already is. On the surface, a loss to the Rockets at the Garden sends the Knicks onto their four-game West Coast trip on a five-game losing streak, with a 3-7 record and D'Antoni's seat on the bench warmer. Blowing a 21-point lead in Minnesota Friday against Kevin Love's Wolves certainly didn't help, either. The Knicks begin the trip in Denver against Anthony and travel through Sacramento, Golden State and L.A. against the Clippers -- the last being the lone game the Knicks will be favored in. On a deeper level, the Rockets' fortunes could directly cause the Knicks to lose their lottery pick in June if D'Antoni's club does not make the playoffs. Beyond giving up lottery pick Jordan Hill -- whom D'Antoni once touted as the next Stoudemire -- and their 2012 first-round pick, Walsh also gave the Rockets the rights to swap picks this year. If the Knicks finish in the lottery, the Rockets will snatch that pick if they make the playoffs. In the only silver lining to the season's start, the Rockets stumbled out of the gate to a 2-6 record. Worse, Yao Ming, out tonight with a sprained ankle, still isn't ready for major minutes because of his foot problems. Walsh has already admitted to regretting the draft-pick element of the Rockets' trade as it became clear the Knicks didn't have the assets Denver wanted to deal for Anthony. The trade would have been worth it if the Knicks had nailed LeBron James and paired him with Stoudemire/Chris Bosh or Stoudemire with Joe Johnson/Dwyane Wade. The Knicks have cap flexibility for 2011 if Anthony reaches free agency. But they would have had same flexibility without the trade, since Jared Jeffries' contract expires this summer anyway. But now they have less young assets than the Nets, who are the clear favorites to land 'Melo if he is traded, which would ruin another February for the Knicks.
As rough as the season has been thus far, Morey made a solid move on this one. Martin has been great for us, and we got rid of Tracy with flexibility. Heck, Jared Jefferies hasn't been as bad as I thought he would be.
Honestly, I am little shocked by how fans here feel about this trade. Obviously, both Walsh and Morey gambled and lost. NY wasn't able to land James, although they gave up Hill & a 1st round pick in 2012 (I am not sure that the 1st round in 2011 is still meaningful since the rockets might get worse record than the knicks.). Houston wasn't able to trade assets for a superstar either. And, because they had to take back Jeffries's contract, they gave up Ariza in summer for salary cap relief. Currently, the rockets' defense sucks, and they are 2-6. Moreover, in NY trade, the rockets also lost Landry. Of course, you could say that we took back Martin. But, so far, it seems Landry was a bitter fit to the rockets than Martin.
There's no way a post player, who plays the same position as our currently most productive big man, and was due a larger pay raise than the previously mentioned power forward, is a better fit than one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA who also happened to allow us to relieve one of Shane Battier/Trevor Ariza of their starting shooting guard duties.
Say what you will about Martin and your other point but the fact is the Rockets last year (with Landry) were better than the Rockets currently are this year. We actually were better with Scola AND Landry on the team. The Rockets currently lack what Landry brought to the table, instant offense off the bench and defense with an attitude. Our current bench is solid but has no good scorers. If the Rockets gel and the defense comes together then they could potentially be better than last years team; especially if Yao can make some meaningful contribution. The proof is in the scoreboard/standings. Landry was a better fit than Martin is so far.
