The Knicks haven't determined if Carmelo Anthony needs surgery to repair his torn left labrum, but as of late last week, Anthony reported that the shoulder was "feeling better," according to a league source.

"He said he was feeling better," the league source said. "It was improving."

An MRI taken shortly after the season showed that Anthony had suffered a small tear in his left shoulder, according to another league source.

The Knicks haven't acknowledged the injury publicly, but the plan, one league source said, was for Anthony to rest for 3-4 weeks before determining the next course of action. Saturday will be four weeks to the day since the MRI first revealed the tear.

The fact that Anthony hasn't undergone surgery yet is a positive sign. The Knicks and Anthony, obviously, hope surgery to repair the injury can be avoided. But a league source says the surgery option has not been ruled out.

Dr. Neil Roth, an orthopedic surgeon at New York's Lenox Hill Hospital who specializes in sports medicine, estimates surgery could sideline Anthony (who he hasn't treated) for four months. If that's the case, his availability for the beginning of the regular season could be in jeopardy.

Anthony has said the injury, suffered April 14 against the Indiana Pacers, hampered him throughout the postseason. The Knicks forward never complained about the injury, and he didn't use it as an excuse during the postseason. However, it was clear he was in pain.

"To be able to play with that and get through the pain, it just came a point where you just try not to think about it," Anthony said shortly after the end of the Knicks' season. "That's where I was at mentally."

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