Melo in Laker Land?

Carmelo Anthony to the Lake Show?  I’m not sure if this story has any real legs, but with the trade deadline in 2 weeks, we’ll find out sooner rather than later.  What I do know is that Chris Boussard, the reporter breaking the story, is no gimmick.  He’s usually right on point, so what he’s reporting certainly carries weight.  And what he’s reporting is that there was talks.  No negotiations.  Obviously you can’t jump into those negotiations without preliminary talks, but the Nuggets are on the clock so it wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever if the story picked up and continued to develop in the next 3 or 4 days.  I have serious questions about whether this is the right move for L.A.  Sure, you get a prolific scorer, All-Star and future hall of famer in his prime, but the fact is that the Lakers are in the middle of their own journey.  The same one they’ve been on for years.  Do they really need him?  I don’t buy the stock that because they havent performed great in January that they won’t win a third title.  Don’t forget they’re still missing Matt Barnes, a crucial piece to the puzzle.  I’m not saying Melo wouldn’t help L.A. at all, but losing Bynum is a bigger deal than losing 11 points and 7 rebounds.  They’re losing much-needed length.   That’s one of the Lakers strongest suits.  Remember, if they have to match up with a big, tough frontcourt like Boston, the Lakers rely on Bynum to be a presence and not just a stat stuffer.  By losing him, you have to play Pau at the Center where he’s not as comfortable as the Power Forward.  Furthermore, if the Lakers hypothetically went through with this trade, they’re basically abandoning the blueprint that has worked for the last three season.  What’s changed in L.A. since June?  Besides focused efforts, not much.  Artest is playing horrific, but he played terrible last season too (Besides game 6 of Conference Championship and game 7 of The Finals). On the other side of the coin, by bringing in Melo, the Lakers (And Kobe in particular) will have less of a scoring responsibility.  But is that what Kobe wants?  What about Pau?  Pau has already stated he wants the ball more, will this help?   The time for winning in Los Angeles is right now.  There is no time for a homogenization process similar to what Miami is going/went through.  Kobe turns 33 this summer and he hasn’t gained patience with his age.  When is the last time defending back-to-back champions tried breaking up their team mid-season?  Last week L.A. spoke with the Bobcats to unload Artest and this week it’s Bynum to Denver?  I’m not sure I agree with the panic mode.  From a Denver perspective, they need to get something done in the next 350 or so hours.  They will be clowned for years if they don’t get anything in return for a player of Melo’s caliber.  Holding on to him in hopes of the implementation of a franchise tag would be a very regrettable mistake.  For Denver, I know it hurts, but cut your losses and get what you can.  If that means getting less than first expected from New York, do it!  If it means just landing Bynum without a Odom, do it!  Ask Cleveland what it’s like to leave it to chance that a player will be in town the following season.  Looking at the situation from Melo’s perspective, why wouldn’t you want to go to L.A.?  Anthony said he wants that big market and wants to win.  If he wasn’t just lining up New York rumors and actually meant it, L.A. would be the place.  The biggest market (1B to New York) with the defending champions.  Whether he can deal with being ‘Robin’ is another issue.  Melo is used to getting what he wants.  Besides the olympic team, Melo’s always been the man.  From Syracuse until now.  It’s fun for any great player to look forward to confetti falling and clutching that golden ball in June, but is Melo cool with not being presented the ball first by David Stern?  Is he cool with not taking the last shots along the way?  Is he cool with being accountable to another alpha male for not playing defense every…single…possession?  Or is this entire conversation smoke and mirrors, pure leverage on behalf of Denver to get more pieces from N.Y.?   These are questions swirling in my head.  Any scenario at this point will be a huge change from what we’ve become accustomed to seeing since 2003.  Melo wearing blue and gold.  One of those colors will stay, whether he’s wearing blue and orange or purple and gold.