Carmelo Anthony Just Can’t Escape the Feud George Karl Refuses to Let Die
Over the last several years, George Karl has publicly fractured his relationship with Carmelo Anthony. Karl damaged the standing by verbally bashing Anthony. The former Denver Nuggets head coach has taken yet another shot at the new Los Angeles Lakers forward.
George Karl publicly bashes Carmelo Anthony
Karl and Anthony spent more than six years together with the Nuggets, transforming the team into a playoff constant.
It featured a postseason appearance in each campaign, including a trip to the 2009 Western Conference Finals. However, Karl changed the public dynamic of his relationship with Anthony and several other of his former players after blasting them in his book, Furious George, which was released in January 2017.
George verbally bashed Anthony by calling him a “true conundrum.”
“Carmelo was a true conundrum for me in the six years I had him,” Karl wrote in Furious George, according to an advance copy obtained by the New York Post. “He was the best offensive player I ever coached. He was also a user of people, addicted to the spotlight and very unhappy when he had to share it.
“He really lit my fuse with his low demand of himself on defense. He had no commitment to the hard, dirty work of stopping the other guy.”
Karl’s comments quickly led to Anthony responding that his former head coach never informed him of these thoughts when the two were together in Denver.
“When you’re there, it’s a different story than what you hear after the fact,” Anthony said via Bleacher Report. “I never knew I was a…what was the word…conundrum? I don’t even know what the hell that means, to be honest with you. I never knew that…Ask the assistant coaches, players, front-office people (in Denver), they will sing a different tune when it comes to me and our mentality as a team.”
The rift between the two remains as Karl recently added another chapter to the saga.
Carmelo Anthony just can’t escape the feud George Karl refuses to let die
Since Karl’s strong feelings toward Anthony became public, he has remained vehemently opposed to praising the 10-time All-Star.
The former Nuggets head coach went that route again via Twitter after congratulating a different former player, JaVale McGee, for winning a gold medal with Team USA at the Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. In his response to a fan, he took another verbal dig at Anthony.
“One is a team guy and winner,” Karl wrote.
Karl’s comments reflect his perspective of Anthony as being a selfish player who prefers his own betterment over the team’s. It’s a perception the star forward has dealt with throughout much of his career, especially after his trade demand and eventual move to the New York Knicks Knicks.
It followed him as it shaped the outside image of Anthony’s motives on the basketball court. Beyond that, Karl’s remarks demonstrate he hasn’t changed his stance on his former player and loves to dig into feeding that notion.
Lakers present an opportunity to win an NBA title
The standing tension with Karl aside, Anthony holds a unique opportunity ahead with the Lakers.
Joining forces with LeBron James may present the future Hall of Famer with his last true chance to compete for an NBA title. Los Angeles is banking on Anthony playing a significant role off the bench behind his efficient scoring and shooting.
He’s coming off his first campaign embracing a reserve role, averaging 13.4 points in 24.5 minutes per contest while hitting at a 40.9% clip from 3-point range on 4.7 attempts from distance per game.
The 37-year-old can become a critical piece off the bench who helps lift the Lakers toward NBA title contention. Ultimately, time will tell if this will lead to him earning his first championship.
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