The New York Knicks are in for a challenging NBA season as they open the 2016-17 games with a match against the Cleveland Cavaliers featuring LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love. While Carmelo Anthony managed to lure Chicago Bulls superstars Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade in the roster, the Kristaps Porzingis team remain on the lookout for basketball players with a winner mentality. Hence, the addition of Mario Chalmers in the New York Knicks is said to be the best move for the Carmelo Anthony team.
The former Miami Heat star spent a season with the Memphis Grizzlies. The move from the Hassan Whiteside team to the Matt Barnes squad showed off the skills of Mario Chalmers as a leader - a fact that fans barely noticed during his tenure alongside Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and LeBron James. However, this came to an abrupt halt when he injured himself during the 2015-16 NBA regular season. With the salary cap rising, the Memphis Grizzlies could no longer afford to keep him when they could use his spot to lure other uninjured NBA stars.
This is where the New York Knicks come in. Despite the skills of Carmelo Anthony, the Kristaps Porzingis squad still lacks the confidence to dominate the hardwood court especially when faced with strong teams such as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. Hence, the entry of a veteran who has championship experience will be a huge emotional boost for the New York Knicks roster.
"I am sure he [Mario Chalmers] would be fine with a 1-year deal to prove himself. This also gives the Knicks the needed protection in the back court with Derrick Rose and Brandon Jennings having a history of getting hurt," noted Anirudh Subramanian of Sports Blog.
He added, "Chalmers provides them with an elite defender to guard the top point guards. He also is an excellent three-point shooter at 37 percent and is very comfortable playing with or without the ball. In Miami, where he won two championships he played off guard as D-Wade and LeBron James had the ball in their hands for the majority of the time. Chalmers also is a proven winner, winning in college and in the NBA. That pedigree will help the Knicks. He won't shrink under the pressure."
At the moment, no official comment has been provided by any of the parties involved in the NBA rumor. However, fans expect the New York Knicks to splurge on a veteran star with a winner mentality in an effort to bolster the confidence of the Kristaps Porzingis squad. Will Mario Chalmers be a good fit to join the likes of Carmelo Anthony, Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah?
