
George Karl got the NBA world buzzing on Thursday as excerpts from his new book were made available to the public. In those excerpts, Karl had choice words for some of his former players, including speaking about their upbringing.
Most notable among those players was Carmelo Anthony. Karl accused the former Nuggets star of not wanting to share the spotlight and reasoned that his lack of a father growing up (Melo’s father passed from cancer at a young age) resulted in Anthony’s transgressions.
Since then, Karl has received plenty of criticism, notably from J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin, two others whom he discussed in his book. Anthony, however, chose to take the high road.
Following via Ian Begley of ESPN:
“I just hope that he finds happiness in what he’s doing. His book, hopefully, will bring him happiness,” Anthony said Thursday night, adding that he isn’t disappointed by Karl’s remarks.
“I’m past being disappointed,” he said.
Later, Melo had a little more details about the situation:
“When you’re there, it’s a different story than what you hear after the fact. I never knew it was this much,” Anthony said. “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. That never was brought up, anybody that you ask — assistant coaches, players, front-office people — anybody you ask will sing a different tune when it comes to me, when it comes to our mentality, that team.”
Anthony joked that he might have more to say on the matter when he writes his own book someday.
Asked what the title of the book would be, Anthony said, “Stay Melo. Not Furious.”
All credit to Carmelo Anthony for taking the high road here. It can’t be easy to have a former coach publicly demonize you, especially for things you can’t control. But Melo handled it as well as he could.