Carmelo plans to recruit stars to Knicks: ‘I have a big black book’

By Marc Berman

October 29, 2013 | 4:08pm
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Carmelo plans to recruit stars to Knicks: ‘I have a big black book’
Kevin Love (left) and Rajon Rondo (right) are free agents in 2015 when the Knicks have cap space and Carmelo Anthony could break open his "black book."

Carmelo Anthony indicated Tuesday, on the eve of the Knicks season opener, that he will be trying to recruit players to play in New York more than looking to get recruited as a free agent.

TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith criticized Anthony for talking about leaving the Knicks, though he simply said he would like to experience free agency because he never has done so in his career.

Anthony was asked Tuesday after practice if he’s the type of guy who would be a magnet to woo players to play with him in New York. The Knicks could have major salary-cap space in 2015. That free-agent class includes Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rajon Rondo, David West, Brook Lopez and LeBron James (if he doesn’t opt out of his contract after the 2013-14 season).

“I haven’t had a complaint yet in 10, 11 years in the NBA about playing with me,’’ Anthony said. “People would love to come to play in New York. When that comes, we’ll be working on that. I have a big black book, a big Rolodex. People talk about what’s going on with me in the offseason, [that] I should be getting people to come here. I am. I’m trying.’’

Barkley said Monday that Anthony “should be trying to get guys to come here and not [be] like, ‘I’ll stay here for a couple years.”’ Asked about Barkley’s remarks, Anthony said, “ I don’t listen to that guy.’’

Anthony has said he will exercise the opt-out clause in his contract to become a free agent, but to leave the Knicks he would be giving up about $33 million. Barring a Knicks collapse this season, it’s hard to imagine.

What's he gonna do, phuck them!

EwingsGlass wrote:

skeng wrote:I thought you added people you don't like to your black book?

Thats the black list. Black book is the chicks you call when you are running low on mojo.

So Melo will recruit good chicks for the Knicks.
This is very nice of him...

EwingsGlass wrote:

skeng wrote:I thought you added people you don't like to your black book?

Thats the black list. Black book is the chicks you call when you are running low on mojo.

now we call it the backpage

Melo is saying "I'm the only unexpendable here, so I'm going to get dudes to come play with me, and the rest of ya'll mofos may get to hang on, if ya take chump change".

Not slamming Melo for this: It is what it is. That's the Starphuck hand we are forced to play.

Moonangie wrote:The unspoken implication of what Melo said is this: Stat is washed up and just waiting to retire so he can collect his cheddah. He's not even remotely in the picture any longer. He's too fragile and the result of not playing is that his skills have seriously eroded. That's not going to change.

Melo is saying "I'm the only unexpendable here, so I'm going to get dudes to come play with me, and the rest of ya'll mofos may get to hang on, if ya take chump change".

Not slamming Melo for this: It is what it is. That's the Starphuck hand we are forced to play.

I saw two ways to read this.

1) "I plan on staying in NY and am committed to trying to do my part to improve the roster as well."
2) A reporter asked Melo if he was going to recruit guys to come to NY. "What the hell was I supposed to say?"

Probably option 2.

smackeddog wrote:Curious to see how this will turn into a Melo bashing thread...

Seriously. Dude wants to recruit players to play for our franchise and he gets bashed for it. SMH...