The offseason is the time for positive mindsets and aspirations, some of which go too far in certain NBA circles. Media Day is no different, so people tend to take these observations with a grain of salt.

Though New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony wasn't hyper-optimistic or overly-confident during Media Day, he was candid and talked about the excitement of playing with his new teammates, especially Derrick Rose.

“I’ve never played alongside a guy like Derrick,” Anthony told ESPN's Ian Begley. “I’ve played alongside other point guards, different style, different type of point guards. To play alongside an explosive guy like Derrick, someone who can pick the pace up, who can push the pace throughout the course of the game, someone who’s a threat at that position — I think for me, the only thing that I can do is go out there and play basketball and enjoy playing basketball again and having fun with the game.

“I’m excited. I haven’t felt like this in a long time.”

Rose's explosive ability will be watched closely all season. If it happens to wear down or he ends up getting injured, it would take the air out of the Knicks. Rose without slithering his way to the basket is reduced to a mere jumpshooter, an ability that he has improved over the years, but isn't quite his strong feature.

“He’s extremely focused right now, he’s healthy, he has a different mindset, he has a clear mind and he’s ready to go and try to help us with our goals,” Anthony said of Rose.

The new Knicks teammates hope to use that focus to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2013.