Ok, so this is just adding crazy to all the other crazy.
As LeBron James holds the NBA hostage with what his decision will be, news has begun to swirl that the reason fellow-free agent prize Carmelo Anthony has been slow to decide where he's going is because he's hoping to join LeBron in Miami as a member of the Heat.
This, thanks to the fact that Chris Bosh is reportedly very interested in the big bag of cash the Houston Rockets have promised him in recent days. See also: Carmelo Anthony to the Heat? Reports Say It's a Real Possibility
According to two separate ESPN reports, Carmelo is supposedly waiting to see if Bosh takes that offer so he can come to Miami and make a new Big 3 with LeBron and Dywane Wade.
On Sunday night, Stephen A. Smith -- the same guy who supposedly broke the news of the original Big 3 coming together in 2010 -- got things rolling by saying Antony-to-the-Heat was a real possibility if Bosh got a max offer elsewhere.
Now, Marc Stein is echoing those thoughts, based on conversations with other NBA executives:
Popular question raised by last five teams I've talked to: Is Melo holding out in hopes Bosh goes to Houston so he can join LeBron in Miami?
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 8, 2014The New York Post is also reporting that Anthony was supposed to have let the Knicks know his intentions on Monday, but never did.
The report reiterates that teams think he's waiting on to see what Bosh is going to do before maybe coming to South Florida.
While Anthony monitors the South Beach drama, James is expected to meet with Heat president Pat Riley -- as soon as Tuesday. The Post has reported the Big 4 scenario was virtually impossible, but if power forward Chris Bosh is wowed by the money in Texas, either Dallas or Houston, that could open a spot for a new Big 3 of James, Anthony and Dwyane Wade splitting the remaining cap space
Back in June, Stein also reported that Heat executives had discussions about possibly adding Anthony to make a Big 4. But, as we've seen with the recent insane contracts being given out, the market is not going to allow that.
Carmelo, while talented and a scorer, wouldn't be much of an upgrade over Bosh, who is clearly the better defender and rebounder.
Plus, it would just feel wrong.
Of course, if it were to happen, it would piss off Charles Barkley, which would make it all worth it.
Charles Barkley says it would be a 'travesty' if Carmelo Anthony joined the Heat ... #Knicks http://t.co/w4B50oo3HJ
— KNGP (@PSS2DJ) July 8, 2014Oh, and then there's this unconfirmed report that Anthony and James were hanging out in South Beach recently.
Of course, actually making all the contracts work is a whole other thing these "reports" are failing to remember.
But what's truth and reason when there are rumors to report?
So it would appear that the Carmelo-to-the-Heat thing remains a very real thing, if only because it's fun to talk about it and the news cycle needs filler and DEAR GOD LEBRON NEEDS TO RE-SIGN WITH THE HEAT ALREADY SO WE CAN ALL MOVE ON WITH OUR LIVES GAHHHHHHHH.
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