Carmelo Anthony not concerned about age of Lakers

Whatever the media and talking heads are saying about the average age of the Lakers roster right now, Carmelo Anthony isn't having it.

The 37-year-old veteran made that abundantly clear in his introductory press conference on Monday when he was asked if a more mature roster was a concern in a league that values youth.

"We don't care. We make our own narrative," Anthony said. "I like when people talk about the age. It gives a better story."

The Lakers have been busy this offseason, to say the least. Anthony is just one big-name player added following the official signing of Dwight Howard and trade for former MVP Russell Westbrook. While the additions certainly give L.A. a ton of experience, they also raise the age bracket. Along with Howard, Marc Gasol, Trevor Ariza, Jared Dudley and, of course, LeBron James, the roster's average age 31.8 years old — the oldest team in the league.

The way Anthony sees it, the team's wealth of knowledge is going to be its greatest asset.

"I think people forget, at the end of the day, it's about basketball," he said. "(You've) got to know how to play basketball. You got to have that experience. I think that's what we bring at this point and time. Our talent, our skill, but also our experience."

Anthony also sees this Lakers team as a contender, making it clear his sights are firmly set on winning a championship after not making so much as an NBA Finals appearance thus far in his career.

"I'm coming in with a championship on my mind," he said. "I think we all know that this is the one thing that I'm missing, right? This is the one thing that keeps me up at night, it motivates me, because I don't have it. I want that experience."