Carmelo on role with Lakers: ‘Whatever we need’

7:36 PM ET EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Nineteen seasons into his NBA career and with a slew of accomplishments to show for his tenure, Carmelo Anthonys rsum would suggest an automatic featured role for this seasons Los Angeles Lakers. However, Anthony, 37, is open to whatever his new team asks of him as he continues to pursue the championship that has eluded him throughout his time in the league. At this point, man, whatever we need to do, lets do it, Anthony said following the Lakers third day of training camp Friday. It aint I cant sit, and, Oh, I want to start, I want to come off the bench. Whatever it is, it is. 1 Related Anthony played 69 games for the Portland Trail Blazers last season and was a starter in only three of them. It was the first time in his career, save for the ill-fated 10-game stint he had with the Houston Rockets in 2018-19, when he was primarily used as a reserve. Ive had experience being a starter for 18, 17 years and had an experience of coming off the bench for one year, Anthony said. Its not something I think about. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said he is still thinking through the lineup combinations hell have at his disposal this season, but has already let Anthony know he will be a necessary piece to L.A.s success. When we spoke before he signed here, I told him that I envisioned a big role on this team, Vogel said. I dont know what thats going to look like, whether hes going to start, whether hes going to come off the bench, but that hes going to be a factor for us. The coach will have to wait to see how Anthony fits in a game situation. Anthony, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook will all sit out Sundays preseason opener against the Brooklyn Nets for rest, Vogel said. Trevor Ariza, who has missed most of training camp with a sore right ankle, will also be sidelined. Anthony Davis will play, but likely just the first quarter, the coach said. But when Anthony does play, there will be minutes for him. Vogel recalled pointing out to Anthony this summer how trading Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a 41% 3-point shooter, and Kyle Kuzma, who shot 36.1% from deep, depleted L.A.s pool of shooters that was already shallow to begin with. While Anthony played a career-low 24.5 minutes per game last season, he shot 40.9% from 3 his second-best mark since coming into the league. Well probably not talk about it again until we get closer to the regular season, Vogel said. But I do think hes going to have a big role on our team. Vogels communication plan is just fine by Anthony. He credited the clarity that his new coach has opened up camp with as he implements offensive and defensive schemes with a roster filled with 11 fresh faces since last season. Whatever he wants, lets do it, Anthony said. Im not even trippin about that at this point. Because lets go. Lets go win. As Anthony spoke to reporters his face showed that his message wasnt just lip service. His left eyelid was scratched and swollen from a run-in with Davis on the practice court, but he laughed off the injury with the same good nature with which he is processing his role in the lineup. You got to ask Anthony Davis, man. Ask AD. He tried to take me out early, Anthony said, clearly joking. Little war wound, thats it. That attitude reflects his appreciation for the game at this stage of his career, a career he isnt trying to put an expiration date on just yet. Im still able to do what I do, man, at a high clip, he said. But the No. 1 thing, Im still passionate about it. I havent lost my passion. My love for game is, I think now, at an all-time high. Lakers president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka has, on several occasions, cited the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 44-year-old quarterback, Tom Brady, as a prime example of how professional athletes are redefining how long a prime can last. Anthony was asked about Bradys claim that he could still compete in the NFL when hes 50, and put a limit on just how long his passion will last. Bradys got an offensive line, he quipped. Theyre going to protect Brady. I dont want to do that. I aint playing to no 50, Ill tell you that. The post Carmelo on role with Lakers: Whatever we need appeared first on Patabook Sports.

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