Melo determined to win another gold medal with LeBron, CP3; 'We talk about it all the time'

Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Chris Paul are about the three best friends that anyone could have, and though they've never been NBA teammates, Anthony wants them all to finish what they started together in international competition.

With the 2016 Rio Olympics looming, the New York Knicks forward hopes the trio will win one more gold medal together.

"We talk about it all the time," Anthony told Marc Berman of the New York Post at Team USA's minicamp Thursday. "Just about how we want to go out and end it the next year with the Olympics, just how much we want to take from this experience. I'm going on four (Olympics), LeBron is going on four. Paul going for three. We're connected by the hip."

While James has a spot on the 2016 team if he wants it, he's so far been noncommittal about participating in Rio. Anthony has expressed no such hesitation.

"I've been part of USA since 18 years old," he said. "There’s history to be made. You got to start holding on to those moments and enjoy them."

Meanwhile, both Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski and chairman Jerry Colangelo say Anthony is all but assured a place on the roster.

"I'd take him anywhere," Krzyzewski said. "He's been committed since 2004 - he and LeBron. Carmelo is a great guy, not just a great player. In the first meeting (Monday night), looking at the group, he's so excited to be here - a kid in a candy store. That's pretty darn good. … (James), Melo, Chris, they are USA Basketball."

Colangelo told The Post before the minicamp began that Anthony was no shoo-in, but has since changed his stance, saying the eight-time All-Star "has earned equity" with Team USA, Berman reports.

If the three amigos end up on the 2016 squad, it's hard to imagine any country will deny them the final gold medal Anthony so covets.