Carmelo Anthony explains why this was the best year to team up on the Lakers with his friend LeBron. (1:43).LeBron James convinced Carmelo Anthony, his friend for more than 20-years, to join him in the Los Angeles Lakers. It didn't take much convincing. There was no need to delve into the details of playing time and role. L.A. offers many off-court opportunities.A friend sharing with another friend that he would like to do something together."Bron came to me once and said, "Yo, it's now." I want to. "We got to make it happen," Anthony stated during Monday's introductory news conference. "And I felt like right now, it was the best time."Most people would agree that we should have met years ago in our careers. But we were in two different lanes and on two different paths. Everything comes full circle, I'll tell you."James, the No. Anthony, the No. After being top prep prospects in their high schools, they met on the AAU circuit and became close friends.They had to work together for nearly two decades, excluding All-Star Games or USA Basketball international competition.Anthony, 37, will now be paired with James, 36, in what will be his sixth NBA team. The squad will also include veterans Dwight Howard and Trevor Ariza. However, Anthony dismissed any concerns about an aging roster that plays a sport dominated by speed, strength, and athleticism.Anthony stated, "We don’t care." "We don't care. We create our own story."I enjoy it when people talk about age. It tells a better story. It tells a better story. People forget that basketball is about basketball. You have to learn how to play basketball. That experience is essential. That's what I believe we bring to this moment and time. Our talent, skill, and also our experience."Anthony has not made it to the NBA Finals in 13 postseason appearances. In 2009, he lost to the Lakers in the Western Conference finals. He was a Denver Nuggets player.Anthony stated, "I'm coming into with a championship in my mind." "I think everyone knows that this is what I am missing. It's the only thing that keeps me awake at night and motivates me. That is what I want.Five years later, after the loss to the Lakers in the NBA Finals, the franchise had enough cap space to allow Anthony to travel to Los Angeles to play with Kobe Bryant. Seven years later, he finally puts on the purple-and-gold uniform.He said, "It seems that I've been connected to the Lakers somehow, some way, throughout my entire career." "Whether it was through Kobe my brother, or something else, I have always been connected to the Lakers in some way, somewhere. This time, it wasn't just a pitch. It was more like an understanding. It was more like, "OK, it's now." It is now that both parties can merge. Let's get this thing done.Anthony is No. Anthony, No. 10 on the league’s career scoring lists, performed well last season in a reserve position for the Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 13.4 points and shot a career-best 40% clip from 3.Anthony stated that he would be available for any role given to him, even though there aren't any clear-cut starters for next season's Lakers team other than Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis, and James."I had no choice but to swallow my pride. Anthony stated that he had to swallow his pride. "But, I had to use my ego and pride to keep myself on edge and motivated. That's what I have done. It worked out well in Portland. It was my first experience at this level. But I enjoyed it. It was enjoyable, it was basketball. I was able to still do my thing and play the game and have fun.On Monday, L.A. welcomed Kent Bazemore to the team. He was previously a forward for the Lakers in the 2013-14 season. Ironically, he wasn't offered an extension in 2014 as the franchise didn't want to use cap space to make Anthony a maximum offer. They're now back together on the Lakers and have joined the team's veteran's minimum agreements.Bazemore stated, "We are the greatest team in basketball." "That will always be my message, no matter what happens." We look forward to it.
