Carmelo Anthony gets emotional, admits 'this is the end' after U.S. wins gold

USA Basketball winning a gold medal at the Rio Olympics was something of a foregone conclusion for most. For U.S. team leader Carmelo Anthony, however, the win resulted in a powerfully emotional moment.

Caught by an interviewer, just moments after the U.S. win over Serbia to capture the gold, Anthony said, "I know this is the end. This is it for me."

Striking a reflective posture while thinking of his three gold medal wins, as well as a crushing defeat to Argentina during the 2004 games that led to a bronze medal, Anthony got choked up.

Stepping back for a moment, as fans and teammates chanted "Melo, Melo" in the background, Anthony brought the interview to a close with teary eyes and a sincere word for other athletes who haven't experienced the Olympics.

Of course, as touching as the moment was, New York Knicks fans are likely still griping about Anthony's earlier comments in which he indicated that he'd be happy walking away from the NBA without a championship. He later clarified those comments, but the damage was done in the eyes of many fans who have had a rocky relationship with the NBA star during his time in New York.

Nevertheless, Anthony's Olympic moment after the gold medal game is what the games are all about, and his emotional moment revealed that, NBA rings or not, he understands just how special it is to be an Olympic athlete.