Carmelo Anthony The Main Piece, But Chauncey Billups Just As Important For Knicks

The New York Knicks probably aren’t going to win an NBA Championship this year. But does that mean the likes of the Heat, Celtics, and Bulls are looking forward to dealing with New York in a seven-game series? The answer is most certainly no. And while Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire have a lot to do with that, the secondary piece in the ’Melo mega-deal, Chauncey Billups, might be the biggest reason.

It’s a crime for anyone to overlook Billups’ importance for the Knicks for the remaining half of this season, the postseason, and next year. Even in last night’s sloppy win over the Bucks, in which Billups was clearly not on the same page with Stoudemire, Chauncey’s value was apparent. It’s not in the numbers (21 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) , which were more impressive than the way in which he compiled them. He showed his savvy by getting to the free-throw line 12 times, knocking down all of them, including four in the final 20 seconds. Billups also drew a charge in the third quarter when the Knicks had let Milwaukee back in the game, and set up Toney Douglas late in the fourth for a big three-ball that just about sealed the game. And his already-there familiarity with Anthony should help speed up the Knicks’ process in getting on the same page offensively.

It’ll also be interesting to see Billups’ influence on Douglas. Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook raved about Billups and how he helped both of their games during the World Championships this past summer. Douglas has a lot of talent and potential, as shown with last nights 23 points, but he still has a long way to go in learning how to run a team and play an effective point guard. The Knicks could use solid backup point guard play, especially with Billups up there in age. If Douglas is wiling to learn from Billups, Mike D’Antoni would be better served to use Douglas in the backup point guard role, and less so at shooting guard.

There’s already been a lot of talk about whether this will be Stoudemire or Anthony’s team. But make no mistake. While Billups is here, he’s going to be the one directing the Knicks in crucial situations.

That’s a good thing.

Carmelo Anthony And Chauncey Billups Won A Game For The Knicks (And So Did Toney Douglas)

It didn’t take long for the Knicks’ blockbuster acquisitions to take effect. Against a Bucks team that played with quite a bit of energy, Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups made the necessary plays down the stretch to grab the Knicks a victory. Both looked a little shaky throughout the evening, but each cracked the twenty-point mark and sealed the victory in front of a bellowing Madison Square Garden crowd. Amar’e Stoudemire, who had a relatively off evening with just 19 points, picked up his sixth foul and was forced to sit through the closing moments of the fourth quarter. With the usual closer absent, the two new guys got their chance to reel in the win.

Billups helped keep the Bucks at arm’s length in the middle of the final period by drawing a charge, getting contact at the other end, and hitting a few big free throws. After that, the jewel of Tuesday night’s trade took it home. With Milwaukee buckled down on defense, Anthony made two extremely difficult isolation baskets to stave off a Milwaukee comeback.

Immediately, the upside of the deal was apparent. Previously this season, the Knicks have struggled during those late-game moments when defenses are sharpest and buckets are hard to come by. Particularly without Amar’e, New York has had quite a bit of trouble making the kill in crunch time. With minimal practice and little knowledge of their teammates, Billups and Anthony just relied on their talent and instincts to take over. Even as the team struggled to cohere and showed hints of nervousness, individual efforts were enough to make the difference. Knick fans couldn’t have asked for more.

They wouldn't have gotten to that point without some old friends, though. Aside from Amar'e's 19, Toney Douglas was masterful off the bench. He matched his spirited defense with a brilliant offensive outing, scoring 23 points on just 12 shots. While the other new acquisitions took a night to sit and watch the offense, the incumbent role players- Landry Fields, Shawne Williams, Ronny Turiaf, and Bill Walker each chipped in to earn the victory.

Knicks 114, Bucks 108: Anthony, Billups Lead Knicks To Victory

New York, NY (Sports Network) – Carmelo Anthony’s first shot as a New York Knick, a 14-foot jumper from the right elbow, clanked off the front of the rim.

Settling in after that, Anthony scored 27 points and fellow trade piece Chauncey Billups added 21 to lead the Knicks to a 114-108 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Wearing No. 7, Anthony added a team-high 10 rebounds and knocked down two key free throws in the final moments that sealed New York’s third straight win, calmly making both shots as the Madison Square Garden fans chanted "Melo! Melo!" over and over again.

It hardly could have gone better for the newest Knicks.

Billups, a seemingly reluctant part of the 13-player, three-team trade that brought him and Anthony from Denver to New York, led the team with eight assists. He was a perfect 12-for-12 from the foul line to make up for a 4- for-12 performance from the floor.

John Salmons scored 27 points to lead the Bucks, who fell to 3-9 in their last 12 games. Andrew Bogut added 14 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

New York Knicks Vs. Milwaukee Bucks: Carmelo Anthony Debuts

(Sports Network) - New York expects to have its newest star in uniform on a night the club honors legends from its past.

Carmelo Anthony is set to make his Knicks debut Wednesday during the team's third annual Legends Night at Madison Square Garden when New York entertains the Milwaukee Bucks.

Earl Monroe, Dick Barnett, Allan Houston, Mark Jackson, John Starks, and Harry Gallatin are the former players scheduled to be honored Wednesday and Anthony hopes to take his first step toward joining them some day.

Currently sitting sixth in the Eastern Conference and on pace for their first playoff berth since 2004, the Knicks acquired the four-time All-Star from Denver in a blockbuster three-team trade on Tuesday that also involved Minnesota.

New York also received veteran point guards Chauncey Billups, along with reserves Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams from the Nuggets and swingman Corey Brewer from the Wolves, while sending forwards Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari, guard Raymond Felton and center Timofey Mozgov along with draft picks and cash. The team also sent forward Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract to the Twin Cities.

The complicated deal finally became official after Anthony inked a three-year, $65 million contract extension with the Knicks.

"Every team needs a 1, 1-A punch," Knicks All-Star Amare Stoudemire said. "And so with the ways that we both can score -- we're very versatile, so it's hard to guard us."