Arron Afflalo doesn't want to speak for Carmelo Anthony. But based on recent conversations he's had with Carmelo during their workouts, Afflalo believes Anthony is optimistic about the coming season.
"He's very committed. He seems very, very, very hungry to succeed," Afflalo said on Wednesday after making an appearance at the New York Knicks' Summer Basketball Camp at Pace University.
Anthony's commitment to the Knicks has been a topic of broad speculation during the offseason.
In late June, after the Knicks selected Kristaps Porzingis with the No. 4 pick in the draft, many wondered if Anthony supported the move.
Reports, including one from ESPN.com, stated that Anthony expressed displeasure with the pick in a conversation with Tim Hardaway Jr. on draft night.
Anthony later wrote on Instagram that Porzingis was a "steal" for the Knicks and also reached out to welcome him to the team.
In mid-July, Phil Jackson revealed that he hadn't spoken with Anthony during free agency. This led to speculation that Anthony was unhappy about the Knicks' summer acquisitions.
One report stated that Anthony was "skeptical" about Jackson's offseason moves.
But it sounds like Anthony was in favor of the team's signing of Afflalo, his former teammate in Denver.
Afflalo said on Wednesday that Anthony "had a lot to do" with why he ended up with the Knicks.
"I know they value his opinion here in the organization," said Afflalo, who has worked out with Anthony in New York and Las Vegas recently. "... He was a big part of me getting here."
Later, Afflalo added: "He's very happy that I'm here. He spoke highly of me when asked, and that's all you can ask for."
Afflalo and Anthony played well together when they shared the court in Denver.
They played together for 119 games between the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons with the Nuggets.
Denver was +231 in 2,624 minutes with Anthony and Afflalo on court together during that span.
"I'm extremely excited to play with him. I know he's excited that I'm here and we're going to make it work," Afflalo said.
A few other notes from Afflalo's interview at Knicks summer camp:
Studying the triangle: Afflalo said he's been studying the Knicks' triangle offense "a lot" in recent weeks.
"I watched a ton of film," Afflalo said. "I anticipated wanting to play for New York. I was even watching triangle film before I even signed with New York just in hopes of. I'm very excited. I feel I can be very effective within the offense."
Recent history suggests that Afflalo can thrive in the triangle, which produces a plethora of opportunities for midrange jump shooters.
He hit 46.1 percent of his midrange shots last season -- the 10th-highest percentage in the league (minimum 200 attempts).
"Just a matter of time" for Porzingis: Afflalo spent time with Porzingis and fellow Knicks rookie Jerian Grant during the Las Vegas Summer League. He came away impressed with both players.
"He's obviously got a lot of talent, some god-given gifts being that tall and that athletic," Afflalo said of Porzingis. "What I love most about him was just his mentality and his humbleness. I really feel like he wants to get better, he wants to be the best player he can be. With that mentality and those tools it's just a matter of time."
For the kids: Afflalo delivered a very specific message to the campers at Pace University.
"Just persevere through tough times and be the best person you can be," Afflalo said. "That's my whole thing with life is just perseverance and excel and just try to be the best person that you can be. And every time I speak to kids that's, generically, my message."