The former Knicks guard questions the chemistry between star struck duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire.
The star duo of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudemire have gotten their fair share of criticism as they have failed to gel together in their one and a half seasons together at the New York Knicks. While starting, the forward duo
has posted a sub 0.500 record which has not been very beneficial for the Knicks.
In a recent interview to ESPN, former Knicks point guard, Stephon Marbury joined the list of their critics.
"Amare needs a point guard like Steve Nash (to thrive). 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 said.
Marbury, who spent five seasons with the Knicks and also had a brief 34 game span alongside Stoudemire with the Phoenix Suns, is currently playing for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association and will be heading
to Asia by the end of the week. However, Marbury did not depart without bringing a new perspective to the long list of reasons for the failure of these two All-stars in the Big Apple.
There have been concerns that both Stoudemire and Anthony are unable to play together because of having very different game styles. Even though the former Knicks guard agrees that there is a difference among the two game styles
but also believes that the Big Apple franchise did not have the right motivation which saw them pursue a three team block buster deal to land Anthony over from the Denver Nuggets.
"I don't know if (Knicks owner James) Dolan brought him in to win games or to make money," Marbury said. "I think it was to make money."
But Marbury did acknowledge that Anthony is undoubtedly the best player on the Knicks roster and for them to have a better chance at making a deep playoff run, they certainly need to build their franchise around him.
However, there is no denying the fact that Anthony’s time with the Knicks has not been very successful as he found it very hard to adjust to the fast system applied by then head coach, Mike D’Antoni.
And it was only after his departure last season and the arrival of Mike Woodson, who gave him full freedom which led Anthony to coming into his own.
But one player cannot guarantee them a championship with his performances and in order for the Knicks to strive, both these All-star players will need to learn how to play together and be effective on the court.
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