Melo: I 'hated' Sasha Vujacic before we became teammates

Playing alongside Sasha Vujacic on the New York Knicks has given Carmelo Anthony a better understanding of the type of player the Slovenian guard was years ago.

"I hated Sasha," Anthony said after practice Sunday, according to Newsday's Al Iannazzone. "I hated Sasha. We got into it a couple of times.

"He was one of them little dirty players, sneaky, grab your jersey, foul you after the play. He was speaking in his language and now I understand what he was saying to me - it makes me hate him even more back then."

During a game eight years ago, when Anthony was a member the Denver Nuggets, he choked then-Laker Vujacic as he attempted to cut along the baseline at Staples Center.

Anthony said Vujacic brought up the incident when they saw each other for the first time at the Knicks' practice facility. Any animosity between them is now water under the bridge, though, as the eight-time All-Star appreciates what his newly signed teammate brings to the table.

"Having him on my team is a big plus, knowing how feisty he is," Anthony said. "He's a vet. He knows how to play the game. He knows the system."

The Knicks signed Vujacic to a one-year, guaranteed contract worth $1.35 million this offseason. He was selected 27th overall by the Lakers in 2004, spending six full seasons with the franchise before being dealt to the New Jersey (now Brooklyn) Nets in 2010-11.

Vujacic returns to the NBA after spending last season with Spain's Laboral Kutxa and Turkey's İstanbul BB.

Not expected to have a substantial role on the court, Vujacic will be asked to mentor rookie Kristaps Porzingis.

"That's a little scary," head coach Derek Fisher jokingly said.