As expected, Carmelo Anthony only came off the bench at the season opener against New Orleans Pelicans in the Houston Rockets’ 112-131 bankruptcy. But Melo still has to get used to this new role.
“More than anything else, it’s a mental challenge. I have to prepare for the game in a different way,” Anthony told ESPN. “It’s now about how I respond to this challenge and whether I accept it, what I do.”
“This is where I put myself at the service of the team,” Melo continues. “Every night will be different, but I’ll get used to it.”
In his 15-year career in the NBA, the 34-year-old has so far been used exclusively as a starter. Already last season there were rumours about a possible bank role in the Oklahoma City Thunder. At that time Melo still reacted with incomprehension to this proposal.
“I know what I still got. So my self-confidence tells me: ‘I don’t want to come from the bank'”, Anthony said. But meanwhile he has accepted his new role under head coach Mike D’Antoni.
In numerous conversations Anthony was able to prepare himself and now he knows what is expected of him from the Rockets: “I completely understand what my role is”.
D’Antoni also expressed understanding for his new arrival: “I know it is not an ideal situation for him because he is a Hall of Famer. I know it’s gonna be a big adjustment for him, but you know what? He stands by his word. And he said he’d do anything for this team.”
The ten-time All-Star was traded from the Thunder to the Atlanta Hawks this summer, with whom he immediately agreed on a buyout. He then signed a one-year contract in Houston. In 2017/18 he played 16.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.