NBA

Carmelo Anthony on NBA future: 'I know I can still play'

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Carmelo Anthony's brief tenure with the Houston Rockets lasted just 10 games into the 2018-19 season after GM Daryl Morey informed him the team was "parting ways."

MORE: ​What are the most interesting destinations for Carmelo Anthony?

"I honestly felt that I was fired," Anthony said on ESPN's First Take. "I felt like [what] other people go through on a day-to-day basis. People get fired."

"He came in and basically said, 'Look, your services are no longer needed.' I was like, 'What? Hold up. What the hell are you talking about?' ... You telling me I can't make a 9-, 10-man rotation on this team?' That was an ego hit. That was a pride hit."

Anthony also reflected on the difficult period that ensued, describing himself as "emotionally vulnerable."

"I felt like the game didn't want me back at that point in time."

Anthony averaged 13.4 points per game on 40.5 percent shooting from the field and 32.8 percent from three last season and as he attempts to make his way back into the league, the 35-year-old has been in the gym "every single day."

"Silence is not my surrender," Anthony added, rejecting the idea of retirement. "I know I can still play." 

Anthony's trainer Chris Brickley said in an interview last week that the 10-time All-Star wanted one more year as a 'farewell tour,' however Anthony refuted that idea, insisting that he is ready to play and wants to contribute to a winning situation. 

“For me now, it’s a matter of letting people know where I’m at physically, mentally, emotionally,” he said. “This is where I’m at. I want to play basketball. I still love the game of basketball. I don’t play this game for a farewell tour. I’m ready to get back on a team.

“[I bring] leadership, in the locker room, on the court, on the bench, things I’ve never had issues with before. This is what I bring to a team, on top of being confident enough in my game to still be able to deliver something on the court.”

Will Anthony land on a team this season?

In 17 seasons, the 2012-13 scoring champion holds career averages of 24.0 points and 6.5 rebounds.

 

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Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor for The Sporting News.