Carmelo Anthony to critics: I will recruit players to join me

Carmelo Anthony says he will be recruiting other free agents to New York in the offseason. (Nathaniel S. Butler/National Basketball)

Carmelo Anthony has responded to critics who claim that other NBA stars don't want to join him in New York, saying that he is looking to recruit free agents this offseason, according to Newsday's Al Ianazzone.

Inside the NBA hosts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith chastised Anthony for openly talking about his upcoming free agency and questioned his ability to attract quality teammates, but Melo told reporters Tuesday that their criticisms couldn't be further from the truth:

"They don't know what I'm doing," Anthony said after practice. "I haven't had a complaint yet in my 11 years in this NBA about playing with me. I think people would love to come to play in New York. And when that time comes we'll be working on that.

"I have a big black book. I have a big Rolodex. People that talk about what's going on with me in the offseason, this and that, I should be getting people to come here, I am. I'm trying."

GOLLIVER & MAHONEY: 68 reasons to watch the 2013-14 NBA season