But with arguably his deepest and most seasoned supporting cast this season in New York, he's ready to sacrifice the high scoring he's always been known for.

"I don't want to try to put all that burden on myself to go out there and try to do everything, so I'm willing to make any sacrifice in my game regardless of what anybody else says," he told ESPNNewYork.com on Thursday. "If my scoring goes from 27 to 23, I'm cool with that. Right now, I'm willing to make any sacrifice that I have to."

Anthony said his motivation to change his game comes from his focus to buy into the team system. Anthony said he's been inspired by his veteran teammates, such as Jason Kidd, who's taken the leadership role in pre-training camp, Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas, who he said are all working harder than ever in the gym. He even included free-agent power forward Rasheed Wallace, who's been recently training at the Knicks' practice facility.

"We go up there and you'd be surprised the work that the older guys put in, from Camby to Jason Kidd to Rasheed," Anthony said. "The work that the guys are putting in, you would think that they were still in their early 30s or something like that."

Anthony said that Wallace took his physical on Thursday -- as did Melo -- and a source close to the team told ESPNNewYork.com that "the players all expect (the Wallace signing) to become official." The former Piston has close ties with Knicks coach Mike Woodson, who was an assistant coach in Detroit in 2004 when they upset the Los Angeles Lakers to win the championship. And Woody has been a big proponent of coaching veteran players.

"The word out of the practice facility was the staff was talking during pickup games and workouts as if (Wallace) was joining the team," the source said. "They were talking about how his game fit in with the rest of the team."

Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, said over the phone that if Wallace decides to come out of retirement, it will be to play with the Knicks and no other team.

"That's my understanding, based on his relationship with Coach Woodson," Strickland said.

A team source said that Wallace has not yet signed a deal but said something could be done by the end of the day Friday.

Another source familiar with the Knicks' free-agency situation said that during Wallace's first workouts with the Knicks, he wasn't in very good shape. But Wallace could improve his conditioning during the season and be a key stretch four during the playoffs. As of right now, only Steve Novak plays a similar position, and the team could use an additional 3-point shooter who can spread the floor.

While waiting on Wallace's decision, the Knicks have reached out to representatives for free-agent swingman Josh Howard, according to a league source.

With the Atlantic Division being extra competitive this season -- the Knicks, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers and Toronto Raptors could all be playing in May -- Anthony and Co. need to make sure their arsenal is fully equipped.

"(The Atlantic) is wide open," he said. "I've been in the Western Conference for seven and a half years, and every year that's how it was. Two games separate everybody. You lose one, you fall back, so it keeps you on edge. Now in the East, it seems like that's the new trend. As long as we do what we have to do, we'll be fine."

And what about Miami?

"We're not even worried about them," he said with a smile. "They do what they do, we do what we do. We'll meet up when we meet up."

With Anthony arguably in the best shape of his life -- Knicks legend and MSG analyst, Walt Frazier, told ESPNNewYork.com that he believes so -- this is Melo's best shot at elevating to the MVP conversation, along with his 2003 draft buddies LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

But that's not on his mind. He's all about team. And sacrifice.

"At the end of the day, as long as we win games, everybody will be happy," he said. "I don't really think about it. My mindset is to make this one of the best years for myself and for the Knicks."

Im sure MDA was thrilled to see this article.

Its all about winning! Do it and words have meaning!

New camp and all is good!

Nalod wrote:I love it when NBA players make proclamations!

Im sure MDA was thrilled to see this article.

Its all about winning! Do it and words have meaning!

New camp and all is good!

This is the advantage players like Melo have over the vast majority of the league. They can demonstrate and show their fans they're dogging it and what they get back in return is forgiveness for eternity or one that resets season after season.

Yeah we're getting all the standard fluff right now and it's making the masses gitty as a teenage girl going to her first Prom.

What I take from this...the veterans have basically communicated to Melo he has to change his game if he truly wants to win, you know what the so-called haters/Melo bashers/Melo malitia groups have been saying since day 1 of acquiring him.

Gotta love how he qualified his scoring change dip. He said 27 to 23 as if he's still counting buckets...No Melo 27 to "dropping/dipping in general".... no matter what the figure produces 25 23 21 etc etc. I also don't like the qualification of "if we win cool or as long as we aren't losing."

Look dude sacrifices should be made regardless. Every player should make sacrifices and bust their butts but if we happen to lose hey sometimes this is the end result. As long as your best was given from a TEAM aspect everyone should be okay with this. Of course it's all good when the team wins or at least it should be.

I remember last year games in which we won and he didn't have the best stats, you had fans more concerned about his contributions...saying stuff like "Hey Melo didn't shoot the ball well but those last 2rebs late in the 4rth qt were HUGE!!!!!!!!!!!

Who cares what his numbers are or anyone else for the matter. Go play as a TEAM, if possible go WIN as a TEAM

Spoken like a true stat whore. As if giving up 4 pts per game is equivalent to donating his kidney or selling his children to a labor camp.

And it's not actually a "sacrifice" if you trade in something small to get something bigger. If, in exchange for 4 points, he can convert a Loss into a Win, he would still consider that a "sacrifice" even though Winning is certainly the more desirable result. Players who are win-first do not talk like this.

limpidgimp wrote:Melo: "If my scoring goes from 27 to 23, I'm cool with that. Right now, I'm willing to make any sacrifice that I have to."

Spoken like a true stat whore. As if giving up 4 pts per game is equivalent to donating his kidney or selling his children to a labor camp.

And it's not actually a "sacrifice" if you trade in something small to get something bigger. If, in exchange for 4 points, he can convert a Loss into a Win, he would still consider that a "sacrifice" even though Winning is certainly the more desirable result. Players who are win-first do not talk like this.

No kidding and actually no one would probably have an axe to grind with him if he wasn't focused on his offense only... instead of rebounding, playing defense, taking charges, taking fouls, playing less minutes, moving the ball, playing in areas on the court he may not be most comfortable with, be a good teammate to every player and not only the "EARN STRIPES CIRCLE". If he can do all these things then I don't care per say if he's taking 20FGAs/gm and averaging 30ppg.

Nope we hear this guy talking about his PPG average in the same breath of making sacrifices. Something tells me he still doesn't get it or it hasn't sunk in.

This is the same guy who averaged 22.8ppg(you know 23ppg) back in 2008-2009 when he went to the WCF(the furthest that he ever been) and 5yrs later he's still talking about making "sacrifices". I guess 22.8ppg was too low and winning(WCF) wasn't quite enough was it Melo?.....rotflol @ this clown

tkf wrote:

3G4G wrote:

limpidgimp wrote:Melo: "If my scoring goes from 27 to 23, I'm cool with that. Right now, I'm willing to make any sacrifice that I have to."

Spoken like a true stat whore. As if giving up 4 pts per game is equivalent to donating his kidney or selling his children to a labor camp.

And it's not actually a "sacrifice" if you trade in something small to get something bigger. If, in exchange for 4 points, he can convert a Loss into a Win, he would still consider that a "sacrifice" even though Winning is certainly the more desirable result. Players who are win-first do not talk like this.

No kidding and actually no one would probably have an axe to grind with him if he wasn't focused on his offense only... instead of rebounding, playing defense, taking charges, taking fouls, playing less minutes, moving the ball, playing in areas on the court he may not be most comfortable with, be a good teammate to every player and not only the "EARN STRIPES CIRCLE". If he can do all these things then I don't care per say if he's taking 20FGAs/gm and averaging 30ppg.

Nope we hear this guy talking about his PPG average in the same breath of making sacrifices. Something tells me he still doesn't get it or it hasn't sunk in.

This is the same guy who averaged 22.8ppg(you know 23ppg) back in 2008-2009 when he went to the WCF(the furthest that he ever been) and 5yrs later he's still talking about making "sacrifices". I guess 22.8ppg was too low and winning(WCF) wasn't quite enough was it Melo?.....rotflol @ this clown

nah, he sacraficed points, he was supposed to win a ring.... so for him, it was not worth it I am sure... LOL

Hence why I've raised his dissatisfaction of sacrifice when we made the trade for him.

I say "3PEAT OR BUST" I'm not willing to sacrifice to wait until he GETS IT otherwise it wasn't worth it.

holfresh wrote:Well I for one is happy to see Melo say he will do what it takes to win...Sorry no spin...

+1 Also happy that Clyde told espn that he thinks Melo will be an mvp canidate this year.

Last year the team was hoping and praying they could get by without a PG. They once again made major changes to the roster and it changed the dynamics of how the team fit together. The team no long really fit together with the coach and the star player. They were caught between 2 different approaches. The teams best players Melo and STAT were both not in the best shape and their games were off due to a summer without work on their games. MDA was a lame duck coach, with his replacement already chosen and on the bench and that almost always ends badly.

NONE OF THOSE THINGS ARE THE CASE THIS YEAR! Melo has a much better attitude coming int this season after the Olympics and I think he really likes Woody and the team we have now. One thing that can't be denied is that when Melo is motivated and happy he can be a force. There's nothing to suggest that we should expect a big year. I think the Olympic experience was good for him. Winning has a net positive effect on a player and so I expect he'll be much more focused this year. He has a more defined role now with Woody. I think this is all positive. Forget last year or the past in general.