Carmelo Anthony said that he is willing to take on any role the Lakers require, including starting or coming off of the bench. (1:10)
EL SEGUNDO (Calif.) -- Carmelo Anthony is 19 years old and has a lot of accomplishments to his credit. His rsum suggests that he will be featured for the Los Angeles Lakers this season.
Anthony, 37, is willing to do whatever it takes to win the championship he has been chasing since he entered the league.
Anthony stated, following Friday's third day of Lakers training camp. It ain't... "I can't sit" and "Oh, I want start," Anthony said after Friday's third day of Lakers training camp. It doesn't matter what it is.
Anthony was a starter in three of the 69 games he played for the Portland Trail Blazers. This was his first appearance in his professional career, except for the 10-game stint with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19. He was used primarily as a reserve.
Anthony stated, "I have had the experience of being a starter for 18, 17 and one year." It's not something that I think about.
Frank Vogel, Lakers coach, said that he's still working out the lineup combinations but has already told Anthony that he will be an integral part of L.A.'s success.
Vogel stated, "When we spoke before his signing here, I told him I envisioned playing a major role on this team." "I don’t know what this will look like. I don’t know if he’s going on the bench or whether he’s going in for the start. But, I do know that he’s going be a major factor for us."
The coach will need to wait to see where Anthony is in a given game situation. Vogel stated that Anthony, LeBron Jam, and Russell Westbrook would all be resting for Sunday's preseason opener against Brooklyn Nets. Trevor Ariza, who missed training camp due to a sore right leg, will also miss Sunday's preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets. Coach Anthony Davis said that Anthony Davis would play but not the entire quarter.
Anthony will still be able to play when he does. Vogel recalls pointing out to Anthony how trading KentaviousCaldwell-Pope (41% 3-point shooter) and Kyle Kuzma (36% from deep), depleted L.A.’s already thin pool of shooters. Anthony was only able to play 24.5 minutes per match last season. However, he shot 40.9% at 3 -- his second best mark since joining the league.
Vogel stated that "we won't probably talk about it again until the regular season," Vogel said, "But I do believe he will have a major role on our team."
Anthony says Vogel's communication strategy is perfect. Anthony praised the "clarity", which his coach has brought to camp, as he implements offensive/defensive schemes with a roster that includes 11 new faces since last year.
Anthony stated, "Let's do whatever he wants." "I'm not even trippin about that at the moment. Let's just go. Let's win!"
Anthony's face was clear that he wasn't just talking to reporters. Although his left eyelid was swollen and scratched from an altercation with Davis on practice court, Anthony laughed it off with the same humor with which he is coping with his role in the lineup.
"You have to ask Anthony Davis, man. Ask AD. Ask AD. "Little war injury, that's all."
This attitude shows his appreciation of the game at this stage in his career. He isn't trying too hard to set a date.
He said, "I'm still capable of doing what I do, man at a high pace." But the No. "But the No. My passion has not diminished. My passion for gaming is at an all time high, I believe now."
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers' president of basketball operations, and general manager, has cited Tom Brady (44 years old) as an example of how professional athletes are changing how long a prime can last. Anthony was asked about Brady's claim he could still play in the NFL at 50. He also set a limit to how long his passion can last.
He said, "Brady has an offensive line." They'll protect Brady. That is something I do not want to do. I won't play to no 50.
