Carmelo Anthony Last Quotations

Last year's second-half stretch was incredible. Hopefully we can come together and do the same thing we did last year. I have confidence in me and my team to step it up.

My first season, I was just happy to be in the playoffs. Last year, I think we did OK against San Antonio. We didn't do much to win. We learned from that. I think this is the year that's going to separate us.

I couldn't sleep last night due to the pain. I tried to go out there and play tonight, but by the third quarter it started tightening up on me.

Last year I showed people a little of what I can do. I didn't give them the whole shebang.

I think in certain situations last year and the year before last I would have tried to take that shot with three people on me. But I've seen even if I don't shoot the ball to win the game, I can win the game by passing it out of a double team.

I think last night they saw how hard it was for me out there making everything and doing everything and them not coming through. But (Saturday) I think we spread the wealth.

We came out sluggish but you can't take anything away from the way they shot the ball in the first half. Coming in here and starting off the way we did, we had to finish hard. The last five minutes we buckled down and took control of the game. We feel more confident in close games.

It was a broken play. We didn't have anything when they jumped out on our pick- and-roll. I wanted to take the last shot whether I missed it or I made it, which I didn't. I've made more than I've missed at the end of the game.

Every night for the last week and a half has been tough. We wait for the last 12 to 15 minutes of the game to try and battle back, but by that time it's too late.

Everybody knows what he's capable of doing. Just getting him back, that is something we've been missing the last couple of weeks. Getting him back should be big.

They've had our number for the last year and a half. They're probably the only team that has our number. I don't believe I'm saying this but it's true.

I live for stuff like that, getting the ball in the last seconds. Whether I make the shot or miss it, I would rather put that pressure on me.

George, for the last two days, was stressing the fact that, if the playoffs started tomorrow, (Memphis) would be the team we'd be playing against. I think we wanted to make a statement that if we play y'all in the playoffs, this is what y'all are going to see.

The Clippers did a heck of a job packing it in on me, not letting me get to the basket like I wanted to and as I had been doing in the past. They sent every kind of defense a team can send at me these last two games. It got frustrating, especially when you're trying to get back in the game and whatever you do is not working.

(The loss) was a wake-up call for us. We can't take nothing for granted right now. These last 10 games, I think you'll see a better focus from the team.