Carmelo Anthony: Knee soreness is here for the long haul

Carmelo Anthony conceded Sunday the left knee soreness that's cost him three of the New York Knicks' last eight games isn't going away anytime soon.

"It's not going to heal in a week or a couple days or two weeks," Anthony said, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "The process I had is going to take time to heal."

It's the same knee Anthony underwent season-ending debridement surgery on almost a year ago. An MRI last week ruled out any structural damage, so the soreness appears to be from wear on the 13-year veteran's legs.

Still, much like last season, Anthony seems committed to playing in the All-Star Game, something that's rubbed some people - including possibly his former coach - the wrong the way.

"We have a game Tuesday, and then we don't play until the following Friday," Anthony said, with the All-Star Game going Sunday. "I want to take advantage of that time."

Anthony's knee problems coincide with the Knicks' tailspin of late. He scored 21 points in Sunday's home loss to the Denver Nuggets, the team's fifth straight defeat. They've lost nine of their last 10, falling out of the Eastern Conference's top eight.