Carmelo Anthony says he will play small forward in the triangle

After enjoying tremendous success as a smallball power forward over the last two seasons, New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony foresees a return to the perimeter.

"We got too many (power forwards)," Anthony told ESPN New York. "I don't need to go down there and battle. For what?"

The Knicks' plan to run the triangle offense is a big driving force behind Anthony's position change. "I think in this system more than anything playing on the wing is where I like to be," Anthony said.

The Knicks do have a glut at power forward, with Amar'e Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani vying for minutes, but Anthony did excel in that role. His quickness and ability to shoot creates mismatch issues for opposing defenses. Playing mostly as a power forward, Anthony averaged 28 points per game over the past two seasons.

Positional alignment aside, Anthony would also like someone else to occasionally carry the load for the Knicks. 

"I didn't want to have to do it night in and night out," Anthony said. "I wanted some nights when somebody else can pick up the load. Right now, with the way we're playing (in training camp), I don't have to do everything. But we haven't played one game. ... So we'll see what happens."

To that end, Anthony also sees the triangle offense as a potential solution.

It will be less pressure on me. I can see that now in training camp. I feel that. I can see what we're able to do with the little bit of time we've been together this week. I see other guys' roles and how they're implemented into the system and what they're capable of doing.