Melo wants to play in Olympics 'to feel what success feels like'

Pity Carmelo Anthony.

Sufferer of a 152-226 regular-season record since joining the New York Knicks in 2011, the superstar said Tuesday that playing for the United States at this summer's Olympics is the best opportunity he has to win.

"From a morale standpoint as a player, if you've been through the things I've been through the past couple of years, you want to feel what that success feels like," Anthony told reporters in Dallas ahead of Wednesday's game against the Mavericks.

"You want that success. So the Olympics for me is great timing, especially coming off this season and injuries, and mentally it's good for me to get out there and feel what that feels like again.''

The Olympics question came on the heels of close friend Chris Paul's decision to excuse himself from USA Basketball this summer, citing age and the need for recovery. The other member of their tight triumvirate, LeBron James, has yet to commit.

Paul's absence doesn't seem to be dampening Anthony's enthusiasm, however.

"That doesn't affect my decision either way," he said.

Unlike Anthony, Paul and James will be playing at least one round of postseason basketball this spring. It can be expected that James' Olympic decision will hinge partly on how deep the Cleveland Cavaliers go into the playoffs.

The United States have a 130-5 record all time in men's play at the Summer Games. If Anthony is named to this year's squad in Rio de Janeiro, it would be his fourth Olympic team. He won gold in 2008 and 2012 after being part of the disappointing 2004 bronze-medalist entry that effectively changed the structure of USA Basketball.