Carmelo Returns The Glory To MSG; Melo Joins Amare' To Return Lustre To The Knicks

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NYC, NY. The prodigal son returns, and he brings with him enough talent to make the New York Knicks a contender again.

After a nearly 3 year rebuilding project focused on the Free Agent Class of 2010 and a courtship of Lebron James that ended when he made his infamous "Decision" to take his talents to South Beach, the New York Knicks now have the Top 5 NBA player to headline the Madison Square Garden marquee.

Melo and Chauncey Billups are headed to play at Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets finally completed the trade that took most of the season to work out. A package headlined by Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups will join the Knicks in return for a package of 3 Knicks starters (Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari), a young center (24 year old Timofey Mosgov), 3 draft picks (the Knicks 2014 First Round Pick and the Golden State Warriors 2012 and 2013 Second Round Picks), and $3 million in cash.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were also involved in the deal, taking on Eddy Curry's expiring contract and Anthony Randolph in exchange for Corey Brewer going to the Knicks. This helped Denver drop their salary this season by $25 million, saving them significantly on the luxury tax.

Although the "Summer of Lebron" was disappointing to Knicks fans, the free agent acquisition on Amare' Stoudemire was not only an incredible bright spot, it may have been the first domino that has now landed Carmelo Anthony with the Knicks.

Amare' has been a beast for the Knicks this season, and he has answered any question about his knee and about his legacy apart from Steve Nash. He has been the team leader for the surprising New York Knicks, who recently knocked off the Miami Heat, and as a result, has been prominent in the MVP conversation.

Both Carmelo Anthony and Amare' Stoudemire have expressed an interest to play together, and the two former Western All Star forwards will have the chance to play together now, with the New York Knicks.

Melo returns to his hometown, where he also played one season of college ball for Syracuse University. He ruled the mecca of basketball and lead his Syracuse Orangemen to their first National Championship in 2003. Melo will now have the chance to bring an NBA Championship to his hometown New York Knicks.

New York Knicks get:	Carmelo Anthony (SF) Chauncey Billups (PG) Anthony Carter (PG) Sheldon Williams (PF) Renaldo Balkman (PF) Corey Brewer (SG)
Denver Nuggets get:	Raymond Felton (PG) Wilson Chandler (SF) Danilo Gallinari (F) Timofey Mosgov (C) Knicks 2014 First Round Pick Warriors 2012 and 2013 Second Round Picks $3 million CASH
Minnesota Timberwolves get:	Eddy Curry expiring contract Anthony Randolph (PF)

Sometimes it's the guy you don't get that makes your team better. The then Seattle Supersonics missed on Greg Oden and ended up with a guy by the name of Kevin Durant.

The Knicks did not get Lebron James, but in Carmelo Anthony, they have the perfect outside scorer to complement Amare' Stoudmire inside. And we have yet to see Lebron come through with a clutch score in the closing seconds.

When it comes to clutch players, in Amare' and Melo, the Knicks now have two. Can a New York Big 3 be coming soon?

Knicks Beat Heat at Madison Square Garden as Stoudemire and Gallinari Close, and Dwayne Wade and Sidekick Can't

NEW YORK CITY, NY.  Sidekick clanked shot after shot, and DWade cooled off in the 4th quarter as the New York Knicks pulled away and beat the Miami Heat tonight in front of a raukus crowd of pumped up Knicks fans at Madison Square Garden in NYC.

Amare Stoudemire dunks on Joel Anthony and Sidekick, who just bends over and takes it.

It was a great game for the Knicks, who not only overcame a difficult loss to Miami in their previous meeting at Madison Square Garden and the continued speculation of trading for Carmelo Anthony, but also a hot shooting Dwayne Wade who powered the Miami Heat through the first three quarters on a scorching 14 of 15 shooting from the field.

The New York Knicks' MVP candidate, Amare Stoudemire, kept the Knicks close in spite of Wade's hot shooting, and Danilo Gallinari, Landry Fields, and Raymond Felton stepped up for the Knicks in the fourth quarter to secure the win for the hometown team.

New York was finally able to contain Wade (0 for 7 in the fourth quarter), and Sidekick, as he did in last year's playoffs against the Boston Celtics, joined the "Quitness Protection Program", missing shot after shot in the final quarter when his team needed him. Sidekick finished with 24 points, but only shot 7 for 24 for the game.

This was a huge win for the Knicks, not only to beat an Eastern Conference rival, but the victory clearly shows the potential of a team that could potentially add Carmelo Anthony this summer in free agency, without losing any significant parts.

The invitation to join a team that can already beat, arguably, the most talented team in the NBA, the Miami Heat, could prove too much to resist for Melo, a native New Yorker who won a National Championship at Syracuse University.

The only thing standing in the way of New York's return to the elite of the basketball world? A poor "decision" like Lebron's.