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Melo: Portland is the 'place for me to end my career'

Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Portland Trail Blazers gave Carmelo Anthony another shot in the NBA, and the veteran hopes the team will be his last stop in the Association.

"I would love to stay," the forward told Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune. "I feel like this is the place for me to end my career. It could have happened earlier, but it didn't. Now, where I'm at in my life and my career - this is where I want to retire."

Anthony had been out of the game for over a year before inking a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Trail Blazers in November. The 10-time All-Star has stabilized the club's four-spot, which had featured a revolving door of injured players.

He's averaging 16.1 points while shooting just under 40% from downtown on 3.8 attempts per game. The organization has embraced him too, which has meant a lot to the 35-year-old.

"I'm happy," Anthony said. "I like the group a lot. When I came in, it was like a welcome-home party. I come in and it's, 'Thank you for coming' from everybody.

"The coaches have been phenomenal with me. We talk almost every day about things I could do to help out with the team and with the young players - things I need to be doing. I've been on board with everyone and everything from Day 1."

Anthony sits 18th on the NBA's all-time scoring list with 26,067 career points. Earlier this season, he was named conference Player of the Week for the first time in five years.

Portland is three games back of the West's final playoff spot entering Wednesday.

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