Knicks' Marcus Morris excited to face Melo, Blazers

Carmelo Anthony suited up against the Knicks for the first time as a member of the Trail Blazers Tuesday night, and Marcus Morris was excited for the event.

“Man, I enjoy going against Melo,” Morris said before the game (via Steve Popper of Newsday). “Growing up he always was my favorite player. Even when I came into the draft, I was like, yeah, I’m going to be like Melo. You know what I’m saying? Over the years it’s been really good to go against him. I watched a lot of film on him.

“Melo’s been one of the best scorers in this league for a long time. He’s still doing it. I’m very happy for him, very impressed that he could come from not playing for a while and make a great impact like he has.”

Here’s more from around the league:

• In the same piece, Morris spoke about how he couldn’t understand how Anthony went so long without a team. “That’s not disrespecting nobody, but there’s guys in this league that can’t really tie Melo’s shoes — now. So for sure, he should have been in the league. But it always comes full circle, and he’s a real one. I always say the real never lose, so he’s back and he’s doing what he did.”
• Deividas Sirvydis is impressing overseas, international journalist Donatas Urbonas tweets. Sirvydis was the No. 37 overall pick of the 2019 draft by the Pistons.
• Everything is coming together for Richaun Holmes in Sacramento, Jordan Ramirez of NBA.com writes. Holmes, who signed with Sacramento this offseason, started the season on the bench but with his strong play, he’s become one of the Kings‘ most reliable players in the starting rotation.