New York Knicks star forward Carmelo Anthony is confident the triangle offense being introduced by Phil Jackson and head coach Derek Fisher will make wonders for the ball club this season, but at the same time, the All-Star stressed the team still needs some help by bringing in players via free-agency signings or trade.
After re-signing a lucrative five-year, $124 million deal, the 30-year old Anthony is excited to begin a new chapter of his career as a member of the fabled Knickerbockers franchise.
Having been the team's top scorer since he landed in Madison Square Garden via a blockbuster trade in 2013, the former Syracuse Orange standout believed the triangle offense will change the fortune of the team after missing the post-season last year.
"I think it'll be easier," Anthony told ESPN. "It's still going to be a dogfight [this season], 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."
Despite his trust in the new offensive philosophy, Anthony is also aware the Knicks are still several pieces away from becoming a legit championship contender in the league, so he won't be shocked if Jackson, the VP for basketball operations, pulls off a series of moves to improve the team's makeup.
"For this season, right now, we have what we have," Anthony told ESPN correspondent Chris Bouchard. "We're going to deal with that. That was a big discussion with me and Phil -- that was one of my things."
Aside from trading center Tyson Chandler and point guard Raymond Felton to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Jose Calderon and Samuel Dalembert, the Knicks have not made a significant move on the trading block this offseason.
However, many analysts think Jackson will take a wait-and-see approach on Andrea Bargnani and Amar'e Stoudemire before finally getting rid of their huge contracts by February's trade deadline.