They were abysmal, a laughingstock. Then they were mediocre — Hey, at least they were relevant again. But now you can forget about relevancy; they’re downright scary. In case you didn’t hear it the first time, the New York Knicks are back.

On Monday night, news broke that the drama was over: Carmelo Anthony would be taking his talents to Manhattan to suit up for his dream team. After endless rumors, speculations and negotiations that surfaced before the season even began, the Knicks did what they had to do to get their man. And it only took the largest trade in NBA history to get it done.

Featuring 13 players, including five starters, Monday’s trade was such a massive blockbuster that it ought to be up for an Oscar this Sunday night. The Knicks ended up trading what seemed like half their team to bring home a superstar. Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov, all of whom were in New York’s rotation, packed their bags as Denver squeezed as much out of the Knicks as they possibly could. They also walked away with New York’s 2014 first-round draft pick and a couple of second-round picks.

In order for everything to balance out money-wise, a third team, the Minnesota Timberwolves, was hauled into the equation. Minnesota picked up Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph from the Knicks in exchange for former lottery pick Corey Brewer, while Denver got Minnesota’s Kosta Koufos.

The consensus around the league was that although the Knicks probably gave up too much in the trade, it was the right move and had to be done. And I agree. ‘Melo is too big a name and too unique a talent to take any sort of chance on. No one knows whether or not he would have still been available in the offseason when the Knicks could have signed him without having to make a trade. The Nets were a real threat during this whole procedure, so it was crucial to strike when the opportunity was still available. The Knicks also knew that the players they were giving up were replaceable, while a two-star tandem in the NBA is a rare commodity and imperative to winning a title. Anyone who says differently has been misinformed. History tells the story. There was Magic and Kareem, Jordan and Pippen, Duncan and Robinson, Shaq and Kobe and, more recently, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the Big Three in Boston. The point is Amar’e Stoudemire was never going to bring a championship to New York by himself. What the Knicks had was a nice group of players and that was fine for the time being, but they promised us more. And on Monday night, they delivered.

Team president Donnie Walsh, aka “The Architect,” is the man responsible for bringing hope back to the World’s Most Famous Arena. He cleared the cap space. He drafted Danillo Gallinari. He traded for Anthony Randolph. He signed Felton to a cost-efficient deal. He signed Timofey Mozgov. He got us A’mare. And now, he’s given us a real reason to believe in the Knicks. Just a few years ago, Isiah Thomas was running the show (it may be more accurate to say he was destroying the show by setting the stage on fire and punching all of the paying audience members in the face) and the Knicks were striving, unsuccessfully, for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference. What Walsh has done in the short time he’s had in New York is nothing short of remarkable: he’s erased those dark times from our memories and now all is right in the world. Isiah Thomas is coaching the Florida International University Golden Panthers, former Knick Stephon Marbury is playing in China and Eddy Curry is finally, finally out of New York. Thank you, Mr. Walsh.

Lost in all the hoopla of landing a franchise player is one factor to this trade that is not getting nearly the amount of credit it deserves. His name is Chauncey Billups. Yes, the Knicks also acquired Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams from the Nuggets, all of whom may turn out to be decent and usable pieces, but the addition of Billups may very well prove to be the reason why the Knicks make a deep playoff run. At the very least, with Billups as the orchestrator they are certainly capable of making it far into the playoffs. A five-time All-Star who has also won an NBA championship, Billups can provide the experience and leadership this team has been lacking for quite some time. After their time shared on Team USA with the former Nugget this summer, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose and Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook both credited Billups for giving them some of the best basketball advice they had ever received. Both Rose and Westbrook are All-Stars this year and are having career years. Just saying. Look for a second-year guard like Toney Douglas to reap the benefits of having a veteran like Billups on the squad.

Now the question is whether or not Amar’e and ‘Melo can mesh together and, if so, how long it’s going to take. In about two weeks, I expect to see this team playing with the chemistry of a group that’s been together for years. The reason is plain and simple: motivation. We all know New York is where ‘Melo dreamed of playing, and now he’s finally home. Amar’e is still the captain of this team and wants to win more than anyone. Egos will be put aside. The team will focus more on its biggest problem area — defense — and look to continue to run head coach Mike D’Antoni’s up-tempo system. This 2011 Knicks team has an opportunity unlike any other in the NBA: to give the greatest city in the world the basketball it’s been craving for and to end a decade of darkness.

It starts now.