Carmelo says he expects to play in All-Star Game

Carmelo Anthony has been realistic about his chances of playing in Sunday's All-Star Game, conceding on Tuesday that he won't force the issue.

Despite the reality he's facing in terms of shutting his season down, it clearly seems like a day-to-day discomfort issue with his left knee. As of Wednesday night, the New York Knicks star says he expects to play this weekend, as reported by Steve Popper of the Bergen Record.

Anthony sat out the Knicks' last pre-break game - a 89-83 loss to the Orlando Magic - amid questions whether Anthony and teammate Amar'e Stoudemire will be active for the team beyond next week. Anthony is expected to shut things down for knee surgery sooner rather than later, while talk surrounds Stoudemire regarding a potential buyout.

While Anthony's choice to delay the inevitable procedure is the target of some expected derision, it's clear that All-Star Weekend in his hometown means a lot to him, and if the game were being held in say, Portland, he'd probably be out already.

The fact is the season is long gone for basketball at MSG, and things aren't exactly rosy across the East River for the Brooklyn Nets either. Anthony knows this is, by far, the highlight of the year in New York basketball.