Carmelo Anthony has taken a role as the third option with the Oklahoma City Thunder, sacrificing a long career of records and accolades for potential playoff glory alongside Russell Westbrook and Paul George.

While the man known as Melo has taken a back seat to his innate instinct of scoring the ball at a high rate, he heeded warning that this wasn't him putting his career to its last steps, but rather justifying the means for success.

After every practice, the Syracuse product finds the one place he's made his sweet spot throughout his career — the elbow — and while the rest of his 2003 NBA Draft class is just about ready to hang them up in the near future with the exception of LeBron James, he still has a lot left in the tank.

“I don't think age and experience add up in my situation. You can say I have 15 years in, but I'm only 33,” said Anthony, according to ESPN Senior Writer Tim Keown.

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Making a permanent move as the power forward of the team, Anthony gave up a lot to make this Thunder team flourish, including being one of the only four players in NBA history to ever average 20 points per game through every season of his career (Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, James).

“I'm not saying, ‘Oh, I accept this role because this is almost over,'” said Anthony. “I don't see the end. No.”

“I accept this because I want to win, and that's the only reason.”

This is why after Donovan was finished with their conversation and the decision was made, Anthony turned back asking one last favor from the man at the helm.

“Coach,” he said, a sly grin on his face. “Just don't take it all away from me.”