Knicks · Billups: Melo Needs Strong Leadership (page 1)

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/knicks/...

Pretty fair comments by Billups who was an underrated player and really good leader:

GREENBURGH, N.Y. –- Carmelo Anthony shouldn’t have played in the All-Star Game and he could use some more leadership in the Knicks' locker room, according to former teammate Chauncey Billups.

Billups, who now is an analyst for ESPN, doesn’t understand why the decision was up to Anthony on when to have season-ending knee surgery as well.

“I said it all weekend, I wasn’t crazy about his decision to play in the All-Star Game and not play for his own team,” Billups said on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN New York 98.7 FM. “My thing is if you are hurt and you know you are going to shut it down, just get the surgery and make that commitment that the Knicks made to him and just get better and not worry about playing for the fans and the All-Star Game. I thought it was poor judgment but to each his own.”

Billups, who played with Anthony for three seasons in Denver and New York, thinks his former teammate will thrive with more leadership around him.

“I enjoyed playing with Melo in the years I had with him,” Billups said. “My perception of him [is] he really needed my guidance, he needed my leadership. I don’t know that he quite knew how to lead a team or a franchise but at that time he was young. I can’t expect him to. He was already a great player but he is best served when he doesn’t have to be the leader of the team.

“That has been shown for years with me and even the year that Jason Kidd played with the Knicks -- he was kind of the leader of the team and that team was a good basketball team. That’s kind of how I perceive him. He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

Team president Phil Jackson could be thinking on the same page as Billups. Will the Zen Master be able to put the right pieces around Anthony this summer or next?

“I am not sure,” Billups said. “This is uncharted waters for Phil Jackson. He’s never put together a team and been the president. I got faith in him as a coach.

“I have seen what he can do as a coach but I haven’t seen what he can do as a president. I got to think that he’s got a great feel for putting the right egos and talent and skill sets together. But in this short little span, we haven’t seen it yet.”

Billups was also asked if Melo needed a player like Rondo. He said no.

The problem is Melo wants Rondo.

gunsnewing wrote:Billups was also asked if Melo needed a player like Rondo. He said no.

The problem is Melo wants Rondo.

Rondo is not the leader type that CB is talking about.

and, enough of what Melo wants. None of these decisions should be up to Melo, he is not a good decision maker or GM or President.

I don't know man. I'm shocked by how soft Phil has been. I expected a my way or the highway kind of guy. But you are right at $60mil Phil should be the one making all the decisions and that includes personnel & day to day stuff

mreinman wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:Billups was also asked if Melo needed a player like Rondo. He said no.

The problem is Melo wants Rondo.

Rondo is not the leader type that CB is talking about.

and, enough of what Melo wants. None of these decisions should be up to Melo, he is not a good decision maker or GM or President.

Well i think for the first time we have a president with a strong enough personality and presence to give Melo what he needs from that perspective.

gunsnewing wrote:I don't know man. I'm shocked by how soft Phil has been. I expected a my way or the highway kind of guy. But you are right at $60mil Phil should be the one making all the decisions and that includes personnel & day to day stuff

EXACTLY how I feel.

Thought Phil would come in and own this but so far, it looks like Melo owns Phil which is beyond troubling.

As a coach, he could go at it with Kobe and let the GM worry about the fallout and cleanup but now he is the boss and he seems not willing to rock the boat and be a hard ass.

He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

The Knicks know what they have in Melo. They need to make the moves to maximize his ability. It might be a mistake to assume that with age and accolades Melo becomes the team leader. I think Billups is right. Phil needs to bring in a team leader. Maybe that guy was supposed to be Calderon but I think Melo and the Knicks need a stronger voice.

Good read but we kinda knew this already... folks can focus on what they want to focus on

GREENBURGH, N.Y. –- Carmelo Anthony shouldn’t have played in the All-Star Game and he could use some more leadership in the Knicks' locker room, according to former teammate Chauncey Billups.

Billups, who now is an analyst for ESPN, doesn’t understand why the decision was up to Anthony on when to have season-ending knee surgery as well.

“I said it all weekend, I wasn’t crazy about his decision to play in the All-Star Game and not play for his own team,” Billups said on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN New York 98.7 FM. “My thing is if you are hurt and you know you are going to shut it down, just get the surgery and make that commitment that the Knicks made to him and just get better and not worry about playing for the fans and the All-Star Game. I thought it was poor judgment but to each his own.”

Billups, who played with Anthony for three seasons in Denver and New York, thinks his former teammate will thrive with more leadership around him.

“I enjoyed playing with Melo in the years I had with him,” Billups said. “My perception of him [is] he really needed my guidance, he needed my leadership. I don’t know that he quite knew how to lead a team or a franchise but at that time he was young. I can’t expect him to. He was already a great player but he is best served when he doesn’t have to be the leader of the team.

“That has been shown for years with me and even the year that Jason Kidd played with the Knicks -- he was kind of the leader of the team and that team was a good basketball team. That’s kind of how I perceive him. He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

Team president Phil Jackson could be thinking on the same page as Billups. Will the Zen Master be able to put the right pieces around Anthony this summer or next?

“I am not sure,” Billups said. “This is uncharted waters for Phil Jackson. He’s never put together a team and been the president. I got faith in him as a coach.

“I have seen what he can do as a coach but I haven’t seen what he can do as a president. I got to think that he’s got a great feel for putting the right egos and talent and skill sets together. But in this short little span, we haven’t seen it yet.”

This is pretty consistent from guys who have played with Melo. This is the best player he's probably played with for any stretch.

Guys don't be silly..No one can tell Melo when to shut it down..No one..Who is CB, his mother??..If Phil can't do it no one else can..

mreinman wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I don't know man. I'm shocked by how soft Phil has been. I expected a my way or the highway kind of guy. But you are right at $60mil Phil should be the one making all the decisions and that includes personnel & day to day stuff

EXACTLY how I feel.

Thought Phil would come in and own this but so far, it looks like Melo owns Phil which is beyond troubling.

As a coach, he could go at it with Kobe and let the GM worry about the fallout and cleanup but now he is the boss and he seems not willing to rock the boat and be a hard ass.

Go look at the parts I bolded. What you guys may not like, but what is reality is Melo is considered one of the top player in the NBA by his peers, and those peers are not going to appreciate Phil Jackson saying my way or the high way. Thats not what these guys are signing up for. Sorry, that works in college (maybe). This is the NBA.

CrushAlot wrote:

He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

The Knicks know what they have in Melo. They need to make the moves to maximize his ability. It might be a mistake to assume that with age and accolades Melo becomes the team leader. I think Billups is right. Phil needs to bring in a team leader. Maybe that guy was supposed to be Calderon but I think Melo and the Knicks need a stronger voice.

very few guys like Billups and Kidd that we could bring in.

CP3 is the type but we are not getting him. Same with Tony Parker and Curry.

Lowry is the type but we fukked that up.

I don't think that Dragic fits the bill.

Mike Conley seems like the type.

Perhaps Lillard.

Maybe Brandon Knight can be that guy?

Phil will have a hard time bringing in one of these leader types.

Phil is still in control. This stuff with Melo playing in the All Star Game has been overblown. He played, nothing happened and now he gets his surgery. Big WHUP! If Phil wanted to give Melo some leeway in this regard so be it. All that matters is who Phil can put around Melo this summer and in coming years. IMO it's not so much that Melo needs a leader as the TEAM needs a leader. If Melo isn't the right man for the job then we have to find someone who can naturally take on that role. It's not easy to find that player but it's a need that has to be addressed.

I agree with Billups on all counts here. Melo definitely shouldn't have played in the AS game and should have shut it down weeks ago. Thank God he didn't hurt the knee anymore playing in these meaningless games (or did he?). Could've been worse I guess -- I mean can you imagine if he blew out his knee completely in the friggin' all-star game?!?!? Jesus -- get the surgery and come back strong next year. This year's over! We've only known that for weeks.

Also agree 100% with Billups about Melo's leadership -- I think it's true that Melo's a great player but may not be the best leader. All true.

mreinman wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:

He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

The Knicks know what they have in Melo. They need to make the moves to maximize his ability. It might be a mistake to assume that with age and accolades Melo becomes the team leader. I think Billups is right. Phil needs to bring in a team leader. Maybe that guy was supposed to be Calderon but I think Melo and the Knicks need a stronger voice.

very few guys like Billups and Kidd that we could bring in.

CP3 is the type but we are not getting him. Same with Tony Parker and Curry.

Lowry is the type but we fukked that up.

I don't think that Dragic fits the bill.

Mike Conley seems like the type.

Perhaps Lillard.

Maybe Brandon Knight can be that guy?

Phil will have a hard time bringing in one of these leader types.

it will be interesting. We have heard the quotes from guys like Galloway that Melo is very active in supporting the younger guys on the team and trying to lead (for what thats worth). It seems he wants too to take on that role, and it seems Phil is pushing him in that direction also.

Its funny.. you hear the DKs of UK crap on Melo's conditioning, and you hear guys like Billups talk about him being such a hard worker. Melo needs to lean on Fisher and Phil for direction in this regard. Hopefully for Knick fans its a good fit. Im optimistic Melo can be a very big piece moving forward. Getting healthy is challenge #1. This is the first time he's missed the end of a season because of injury. Considering how much he has to prove this could be a blessing in disguise.

Billups saying "HE needed me" is kind of arrogant to verbalize in the media.

BTW, Lowrey up until this season was an angry hothead. Did not demonstrate leadership capacity until he got his big contract and surrounded by a very nice team.
If he came via trade under woodson and we gave him the money, and him alone I doubt turns this franchise around. I think in Toronto he had to earn his place to lead the team. Handing it could have been a much different set of circumstances.

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I don't know man. I'm shocked by how soft Phil has been. I expected a my way or the highway kind of guy. But you are right at $60mil Phil should be the one making all the decisions and that includes personnel & day to day stuff

EXACTLY how I feel.

Thought Phil would come in and own this but so far, it looks like Melo owns Phil which is beyond troubling.

As a coach, he could go at it with Kobe and let the GM worry about the fallout and cleanup but now he is the boss and he seems not willing to rock the boat and be a hard ass.

Go look at the parts I bolded. What you guys may not like, but what is reality is Melo is considered one of the top player in the NBA by his peers, and those peers are not going to appreciate Phil Jackson saying my way or the high way. Thats not what these guys are signing up for. Sorry, that works in college (maybe). This is the NBA.

I agree with what you bolded as well. Melo is a good player when he is deferring to a leading teammate.

Isn't the leader of the team by definition the head coach?

What is the reason for the focus on leadership amongst players? There is the team captain role but is that just like being class president?

If everyone is working hard, learning the game plan inside and out, and supporting each other, ain't that enough? Shouldn't we be targeting "self-leaders" over "leaders of men"?

mreinman wrote:

fishmike wrote:

mreinman wrote:

gunsnewing wrote:I don't know man. I'm shocked by how soft Phil has been. I expected a my way or the highway kind of guy. But you are right at $60mil Phil should be the one making all the decisions and that includes personnel & day to day stuff

EXACTLY how I feel.

Thought Phil would come in and own this but so far, it looks like Melo owns Phil which is beyond troubling.

As a coach, he could go at it with Kobe and let the GM worry about the fallout and cleanup but now he is the boss and he seems not willing to rock the boat and be a hard ass.

Go look at the parts I bolded. What you guys may not like, but what is reality is Melo is considered one of the top player in the NBA by his peers, and those peers are not going to appreciate Phil Jackson saying my way or the high way. Thats not what these guys are signing up for. Sorry, that works in college (maybe). This is the NBA.

I agree with what you bolded as well. Melo is a good player when he is deferring to a leading teammate.

Did Melo EVER deffer to Kid? Or Billups? Not on the court... but probably in the locker room.

I think Melo's leadership "problem" is simple. To him its still very important that his teammates like him. That comprimises any ability or chance of him calling someone out. Overall I think this still is also WAAAAY overblowen. I mean Kidd did nothing in the 2nd half of the year and it was Melo that won POM in April and lead the Knicks on that strong finish in Kidd's last season.

To me its just talent. When he doesnt have good players around him the holes and bad habits in his game become magnified and you see some really really bad basketball. To me the only real difference between the 54 win season and last year was the supporting cast performed at a high level. Novak, Copeland, Tyson, JR... some guys had career years. The following year some guys had career lows. The result was we stunk. I dont think its too much more complicated than that.

DrAlphaeus wrote:Isn't the leader of the team by definition the head coach?

What is the reason for the focus on leadership amongst players? There is the team captain role but is that just like being class president?

If everyone is working hard, learning the game plan inside and out, and supporting each other, ain't that enough? Shouldn't we be targeting "self-leaders" over "leaders of men"?

slow clap

fishmike wrote:Good read but we kinda knew this already... folks can focus on what they want to focus on

GREENBURGH, N.Y. –- Carmelo Anthony shouldn’t have played in the All-Star Game and he could use some more leadership in the Knicks' locker room, according to former teammate Chauncey Billups.

Billups, who now is an analyst for ESPN, doesn’t understand why the decision was up to Anthony on when to have season-ending knee surgery as well.

“I said it all weekend, I wasn’t crazy about his decision to play in the All-Star Game and not play for his own team,” Billups said on “The Michael Kay Show” on ESPN New York 98.7 FM. “My thing is if you are hurt and you know you are going to shut it down, just get the surgery and make that commitment that the Knicks made to him and just get better and not worry about playing for the fans and the All-Star Game. I thought it was poor judgment but to each his own.”

Billups, who played with Anthony for three seasons in Denver and New York, thinks his former teammate will thrive with more leadership around him.

“I enjoyed playing with Melo in the years I had with him,” Billups said. “My perception of him [is] he really needed my guidance, he needed my leadership. I don’t know that he quite knew how to lead a team or a franchise but at that time he was young. I can’t expect him to. He was already a great player but he is best served when he doesn’t have to be the leader of the team.

“That has been shown for years with me and even the year that Jason Kidd played with the Knicks -- he was kind of the leader of the team and that team was a good basketball team. That’s kind of how I perceive him. He is a great player and one thing I love about Melo is he practiced hard every day. He didn’t sit out games. He was a good soldier, pretty sure he still is. But I think he needs other strong leadership in that locker room with him.”

Team president Phil Jackson could be thinking on the same page as Billups. Will the Zen Master be able to put the right pieces around Anthony this summer or next?

“I am not sure,” Billups said. “This is uncharted waters for Phil Jackson. He’s never put together a team and been the president. I got faith in him as a coach.

“I have seen what he can do as a coach but I haven’t seen what he can do as a president. I got to think that he’s got a great feel for putting the right egos and talent and skill sets together. But in this short little span, we haven’t seen it yet.”

This is pretty consistent from guys who have played with Melo. This is the best player he's probably played with for any stretch.

you saw this when kidd was on the roster, thats why I get confused by the hate, this guy was never a leader, doesn't want to be the leader because of his skills

Leading is tough.
Leading means take responsibility for yourself and others on your team.
Responsibility for wins and for loses. And things that sometimes you cannon control.
It takes more that being a great bbal player. It takes to be a great MAN.
No one can buy greatness or pretend to be great. There is no branding for greatness.
Some are born with this and some became leaders though pain and hard work.
Too late for Melo. The train left the station.