Carmelo Anthony Says He Has 'Unfinished Business' with New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony held nothing back during the New York Knicks media day on Monday.

The scoring forward hit on a number of pressing topics, including the reasoning behind his decision to sign a five-year, $124 million pact to stick with the franchise this summer.

While some might assume that green drove his desire to stay with the Orange and Blue, he spoke of unrealized goals that helped keep him around. Goals that he admitted carried extra weight given his manner of entry to The Big Apple, per MSG Network's Alan Hahn:

In December 2010, a source explained to Chris Sheridan, then with ESPN.com, that Anthony had told the Denver Nuggets he would not accept their $65 million extension offer unless he was traded to the New York Knicks. A three-team exchange got Anthony his wish just two months later.

Since his arrival, the Knicks have made three playoff appearances but claimed just one postseason series win. Last season, New York stumbled to a 37-45 record, denying Anthony a playoff berth for the first time in his 11-year career.

With on-paper contenders like the Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets vying for his services this summer, per ESPN.com's Marc Stein, some wondered whether New York's struggles would keep the franchise from retaining its face. Anthony admitted Monday his championship chances might have improved had he signed elsewhere in free agency, per ESPN New York's Ian Begley:

That said, the seven-time All-Star is holding out hope for this season. He plans on guiding this team back to the playoffs and can't stand the thought of a repeat of last year's disaster, per Begley:

Anthony also told ESPN's Chris Broussard that his superstar profile around the league isn't nearly as high as it should be:

He also said he's looking forward for the tough road ahead and sounds as if he's buying what team president Phil Jackson and first-year coach Derek Fisher are selling, per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:

Anthony's belief is key to what the Knicks are trying to do. Both Jackson and Fisher have experience in this business, but each is also in the first year of a position they have never previously held. Without Anthony's support, the Knicks' leadership duo would have a hard time communicating their message to the rest of their roster.

Anthony's admission that forcing his way to New York increased his desire to stay there is potentially big, too. It shows accountability on his part and a desire to do more. The Knicks will need both on their long road back to relevance.

As for that unfinished business and those playoff hopes, though, it's hard to say whether he can hit either goal.

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As a best-case scenario, Ball Don't Lie's Dan Devine wrote: "New York rides an elite offense to a middle-of-the-pack playoff seed and a return to the second round."

While that would certainly show progress, it's far from a guaranteed outcome. Yahoo Sports' Kelly Dwyer, via Devine, took a stab at predicting New York's 2014-15 record: 37-45, identical to last season.

The Jackson-Fisher-led triangle offense could unlock new layers to this team's attack. But its impact could be greatly diminished if the Knicks cannot pick up their play at the opposite side, where the team finished 24th in defensive efficiency last season, per NBA.com

The Knicks appear to have enough to compete for a playoff spot in the East, but securing anything beyond that could be outside of their current reach.

In other words, it could be a while before Anthony takes care of that unfinished business.

Statistics used courtesy of NBA.com.