Carmelo isn't motivated by 'Banana Boat' friends' playoff success
Unlike LeBron James, Chris Paul, and Dwyane Wade, New York Knicks All-Star Carmelo Anthony hasn't enjoyed a great deal of success in recent memory, with the 2016-17 campaign marking the fourth straight season his team will miss the playoffs.
Anthony is well aware of how his buddies have fared, and won't allow himself to use their triumphs as motivation. He's been to the dance before, and has the desire burning inside of him to put an end to his ongoing drought.
"I want to be there (NBA Finals)," Anthony said during shootaround on Monday, according to ESPN's Jovan Buha. "I don't have to look at someone else's situation and say, 'Oh, I miss that, or I want that, or I need that.' It is what it is. ...
"That's a part of who - over my 14 years I've made myself part of that. I pride myself on that and wanting to be in those situations."
Related - Carmelo: Knicks' 4th straight losing season more difficult than past years
With 13 games remaining on the schedule, the 27-42 Knicks would need to go 5-8 to match their final record from last season. While not mathematically out of the playoff race just yet, sitting 6.5 games back of the eighth-seeded Detroit Pistons at this stage all but closes the door on a berth.
Paul's Clippers will host Anthony and the Knicks at the Staples Center on Monday night.