Carmelo Anthony found himself withstanding the horrors of being without an NBA team for a full calendar year, with some of his friends in the league already employed by a team and playing. One player that shared the same internal problem when the phone wasn't ringing was Jamal Crawford, who Melo leaned on through a difficult time before getting the call to sign with the Portland Trail Blazers.

“Jamal is someone that I’ve been communicating and talking to a lot throughout this process,” Anthony told Shams Charania of The Athletic. “We’ve talked about how this is, and why this is what it is, asking why veterans have been phased out. I still don’t have an answer, and I’m done trying to figure out why and ask why. I’m just not there anymore, I’ve been past that.”

Crawford admits he's happy for Anthony and is now waiting for his call to come.

“I know how much ‘Melo loves the game, and how much he’s given to the game,” said Crawford. “He’s back where he belongs. I definitely want to keep playing too, and I have faith I will. I’ll just stay ready, stay prepared, and remain hopeful that the right situation comes along.”

Melo is averaging 16 points per game through four outings with the Blazers, still yet to have a full-fledged practice with the team since Portland first hit the road in a long six-game trip. The perennial scorer admits all he's been able to show has been off raw experience and skill.

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“We don’t know how I’m going to adjust my game,” Anthony said. “I’ve had (four) games with these guys. We haven’t had no practices yet, no time to adjust, just straight on-court basketball and going off of talent and skill. I’m just walking in the gym and thrown into the fire. Until we have time to practice, get in the gym and get together and get back in Portland, nothing is going to be determined for us.

“Nothing is going to happen overnight. I know that. I just have to control what I can control.”

The Blazers are 1-3 since acquiring Anthony after a 5-9 start, looking to get back into the playoff picture after a horrid start to the season.