During his NBA exile for over a year, Portland Trail Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony was able to learn some things about himself.

The 10-time All-Star, who made his Blazers debut on Tuesday against the New Orleans Pelicans after being out of the league since last year, says his story can be used as motivation for other people in life when things aren't looking good.

“How I’m able to motivate people,” Anthony told Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated. “I think overall the way that I stayed strong in the fight. I stayed there. … Burning and all, I stayed there. I never wavered. I stayed strong and I hope that is motivation for everyone else.”

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Anthony played in just 10 games with the Houston Rockets last season before the franchise exiled and traded him to the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls waived Anthony, who hadn’t received any interest from teams since entering the open market until the Blazers swooped in.

Melo played 24 minutes on Tuesday versus the Pelicans. He finished with 10 points on 4-of-14 shooting from the field.

Anthony will effectively cost the Blazers $51,000 per day. He will earn $14,490 per day while he’s on the roster in Portland. The contract becomes fully guaranteed if he is not waived by Jan. 7.