The NBA Hall of Fame coach, George Karl, seemingly ended the long-standing feud with 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony. While their taunting exchange on social media in February this year pointed out no love lost between the former Denver Nuggets coach-player duo, it is fair to say that time has healed the old wounds.
The Denver Nuggets picked Carmelo Anthony second overall in the 2003 NBA Draft and brought All-Star coach George Karl in the latter half of Melo’s second season. The former Seattle SuperSonics and Milwaukee Bucks coach and the 2013 scoring champion had a partnership for the next five seasons.
In 2017, Karl mentioned Anthony as a difficult player to coach in his book “Furious George,” published by David Marchese. While the 2013 coach of the year praised Carmelo’s offensive skills, Karl criticized his defensive efforts.
In February 2024, Carmelo talked about his first interaction with George Karl in an episode of the 7PM in Brooklyn podcast. He stated, “He (George Karl) got the job a couple days before we played the Milwaukee Bucks, so the whole thing was I’m not coaching no game… We get to Milwaukee after shoot around (he) called me to his room and he tell me, hey man I think you (are) overrated.”
While it was unclear whether Karl took shots at the former NBA forward or was just a playful jibe, the former Nuggets coach responded to Carmelo’s comment on X. He wrote, “Hey Carmelo Anthony let’s not do this. You’re telling stories that are 20 years old. Let’s move fwd 💪 And u were overrated and u wish your game was as efficient as Detlef’s.”
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Is The Feud Between George Karl And Carmelo Anthony Settled?
On Thursday, September 5, George Karl took to his X handle and appeared to end the dispute with Carmelo Anthony. He wrote, “In a time of division, where coming together truly matters, I’m done feuding with Carmelo Anthony.”
He added, “I have tremendous respect for Melo. We don’t know each other now but I hear he’s kicking butt and using his influence for positive impact. It’s all love now from here out.”
During their time together at the Nuggets from 2005 to 2011, they qualified for the playoffs in five consecutive seasons. However, they managed four first-round exits and lost the 2008-09 Conference Finals against Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers, who eventually won the championship. With the Nuggets ending their NBA championship drought in 2023, the timing is perfect for Carmelo and Karl to end their long-term feud.
