Carmelo Anthony is expecting a productive year in the upcoming 2014-15 NBA season, saying that the triangle offense will work well for the New York Knicks.
Anthony, who averaged 27.4 points to go along with 8.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season, said that he wanted to play with another star, who could lessen the pressure on his shoulder, but he is optimistic that new coach Derek Fisher will help him moving forward.
The 30-year-old said that Fisher's new offensive system will make him a better player because there is less pressure on him to carry the team on his own because his teammates will be given enough opportunity to score.
"It will be less pressure on me," Anthony said via ESPN. "I can see that now in training camp. I feel that. I can see what we're able to do with the little bit of time we've been together this week. I see other guys' roles and how they're implemented into the system and what they're capable of doing."
The Knicks failed to advance to the playoffs last season after finishing half-a-game-behind in the race for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Eastern Conference.
Anthony expects another tough race in the East, but he is confident that things will be easier for them this season because every player is expected to contribute well to the team.
"I think it'll be easier. It's still going to be a dogfight," Anthony said. "But I think it'll be a little bit easier where everybody is not keying in and focusing on me every single time down the court. Now you put the pressure on everybody else, have to guard their man and there's movement. It's a good thing."
The Knicks failed to lure a big-name free agent this summer due to lack of salary cap space, but team president Phil Jackson made several moves to balance the squad.
The Knicks acquired Jose Calderon, Samuel Dalembert, Quincy Acy and Shane Larkin via trades. They also signed center Jason Smith and selected Cleanthony Early in the 2014 NBA Draft.
