It would look to be a match made in heaven. But looks can be deceiving.
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Rumors of Carmelo Anthony signing as a free agent with the Miami Heat almost certainly would rejuvenate a team that looks tired and defeated even before the NBA Finals have concluded. The Heat's fourth consecutive appearance in the finals could come to an end with a defeat to the San Antonio Spurs, putting the team's offseason in flux.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh all can opt out of their contracts with the Heat this summer, or they can choose to retool and shoot for a fifth straight NBA Finals appearance. Anthony, a member of the New York Knicks who also is a free agent this summer, would bring a big-time scoring presence and a hunger to win that could rejuvenate the big three.
One NBA head coach, however, says Anthony would not be enough to push Miami back to the top.
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"The Heat's problem has not been scoring, even if that's what's happened against the Spurs,'' said the head coach, whom the New York Daily News kept anonymous. "So it's not as if they really need Carmelo Anthony. They've got other, bigger issues that they're going to have to tackle."
The Heat lack size on the front line, which has become a liability on defense. They don't have athletic wings to defend the likes of the San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard. They lack a point guard that can create or score on offense.
Anthony would have to show that he is willing to become a better defender, but he would give the Heat a huge option on offense that would play off James and keep the Heat in games. But if James, Wade and Bosh aren't willing to take a pay cut to make room for Anthony, the point becomes moot.
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