CHICAGO— Carmelo Anthony is getting back into his NBA routine after joining the Portland Trail Blazers a week ago: Shooting sessions with assistant coach Jannero Pargo, working with coaches on game strategy. Anthony missed the regimental process for the past calendar year, going unsigned following the Houston Rockets parting ways with the 10-time All-Star just 10 games into last season. This is all Anthony ever wanted again.

He is four games into his NBA return and makes one thing clear for anyone who thinks he took the non-guaranteed, one-year, $2.15 million contract as a farewell 17th season. “This ain’t a damn farewell tour,” Anthony said. “My love for the game don’t stop. I don’t know where this ‘farewell tour’ thing came from. I’ve never talked about a farewell tour. I know what I can do and I believe in myself. When a farewell tour comes, it comes. That’s not something I think about. I’m not thinking about retiring right now. I had (thought about...