Carmelo Anthony: Portland came at a pivotal time in my life and my career

Portland Trail Blazers star Carmelo Anthony talks with CJ McCollum about his decision to sign with the Oregon team:

“What I always tell people now is Portland came at a pivotal time in my life and my career. I needed Portland at this point in time, what I was looking for as far as on the court and off the court. I needed it, I needed the serenity of being in Portland, I need the space, I needed this me time to figure out me at the end of the day and to get my mind right and to focus on my body and emotionally. I really needed Portland. As much as they needed me from a basketball standpoint, I needed Portland for other reasons. I always say ‘God don’t make no mistakes’ and this came at a pivotal time for me and I’m taking advantage of it. And as you can see, it shows, right? I’m not talking from a basketball standpoint, it’s just the happiness and just being here and just being around the guys and being able to love the game again and travel and talk and give my experience and give my knowledge to people. That’s what’s most important to me at this point.

Melo played 50 games for the Blazers, with averages of 15.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.6 assist, shooting 42% from the field, 37% from long range and 84% from the foul line.