Carmelo Anthony not a good fit for Lakers
By Matt Schuler
David Defeats Goliath
In a match up of top ranked Montebello (24-3) and Almont’s second place team Keppel (19-6), the Oilers were dealt their first loss in league 50-49 and only their third defeat of the season 27 games in.
Prior to that, Montebello was on a 17-game winning streak and seemed poised to run through the Almont league on the way to a championship banner.
Keppel did not feel the same way.
The Aztecs jumped out to a 16-13 lead after the first quarter and outscored the Oilers 8-2 in a defensive second quarter to make it 24-15 at halftime. Montebello responded after halftime and led a 16-11 third quarter, but Keppel did just enough in the fourth to squeeze out a one point victory and knot up the top spot in the Almont.
Both teams are now 8-1 in league play and each have one more game to play to possibly force a share of the league title. If so, the Oilers share would make it back-to-back banners as Montebello went 10-0 last year and swept league.
For Keppel, if nothing changes, this would be the first league championship since winning the Almont back in ‘05-’06. That year, the Aztecs led by Jonathan Chu’s 20 points per game, shared the title with Schurr.
All the Aztecs have to do is finish strong against a struggling San Gabriel team.
The win for Keppel also gives the Aztecs a revenge factor after they were defeated in their first match up with the Oilers 56-42 back on January 21. Montebello needs to defeat Schurr tomorrow night to guarantee itself at least a share of the title.
The Oilers last season advanced to the second round of C.I.F playoffs before being defeated by Upland 70-63.
MVL Madness
The Mission Valley League crown has come down to Mountain View and Gabrielino. After eight games the MVL was looking like a dog fight between Mountain View, Gabrielino, and Arroyo who were all tied at 6-2.
Arroyo fell to 6-3 after dropping a game to South El Monte 51-43 opening the door for the Vikings and Eagles, who are now both 7-2. Can Gabby finish the season off strong against Arroyo and will S.E.M throw a curve ball into Mountain View’s season?
If the Vikes and Gabrielino both win, Mountain View owns the tie breaker and would win the league title.
On Friday night Gabrielino plays Arroyo and South plays View on its home floor to finish the regular season.
The last time these two teams played each other Joseph Angelo led the team with 14 points and Mountain View barely squeezed by South El Monte 45-44.
Gabby beat Arroyo in their previous match 65-59 with Tyler Shimamoto scoring 24 points and Ryan Lam adding 18 for the Eagles. Arroyo couldn’t capitalize on Mark Roche’s 18 points and Sam Torres 16 point scoring night. Primitivo Gomez also added 11 and Sam Aholoka finished with 8 for the Knights.
Let the MVL games begin.
Carmelo Coming to the Lakers?
In recent trade talks, the Denver Nuggets have been looking to deal their All Star small forward Carmelo Anthony and recently gave Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak a call.
The possible deal was for the back-to-back champions to receive Anthony in return for Andrew Bynum and two additional players. Then the speculation dwindled down to a straight up trade one for one.
The Lakers would give up their young, but injury plagued center, who has dealt with knee injuries each of the last four seasons, in return for the offensive minded Carmelo. I don’t like the deal.
If the Lakers were to give up Bynum, they would lose the bulk of their defense in the middle of the paint. Carmelo would obviously add a lot of fire power, but would he be able to pound with the likes of Shaquille O’Neal or Dwight Howard in the Finals?
I doubt it.
First of all, this means that Pau Gasol would have to take over the center position, which he is not in favor of, leaving the only back up as the aging Theo Ratliff. Pau is a great finesse player, but has showed signs of being too soft against players like Glen “Big Baby” Davis and Kendrick Perkins, two of the many big bodies the Celtics have in their arsenal.
Second, acquiring a player like Anthony sounds nice, but would it work with Ron Artest, Lamar Odom, and Gasol, already in the fold? Not likely.
Kobe Bryant might be hesitant to share the ball with Anthony, a player that requires plenty of touches.
Third, Bynum is still young and although he has been prone to break down, the seven foot kid provides a big body that clogs up the paint on defense and forces players to shoot over, go around, and force tough shots.
Bynum full health or not, gives the Lakers the big body needed to bang with the big, physical players in Davis, both O’Neil’s, and Perkins who are all salivating in Boston at the chance to face off with the Lakers in a rematch of last years finals.
Denver’s negotiations are just a ploy to attract attention from other teams to garner a better deal to compensate for an All Star caliber player like Carmelo.
And that’s it. Don’t get happy L.A, were better off with the team as it is.
Matt can be reached at matt@midvalleysports.com
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