George Karl unleashed on a couple of his former players in his new book “Furious George.” Carmelo Anthony received the brunt of the former coach’s vitriol, but he also took aim at J.R. Smith and Kenyon Martin. Karl called the trio “AAU babies” and “spoiled brats.” He blamed Anthony and Martin’s faults on not having fathers while at the same time blaming Smith’s father for his tendency to shoot the ball at will. When asked about their response to the excerpts, Anthony took the high road, Smith had one answer, and Martin said enough for all three of them.
Prior to the Knicks’ 106-95 victory over Orlando, Anthony refused to comment on the book, simply saying “no way,” but he opened up more after the game.
“I just hope that he finds happiness in what he’s doing. His book, hopefully, will bring him happiness,” Anthony said via the NY Post Thursday night, adding that he isn’t disappointed by Karl’s remarks.
“I’m past being disappointed,” he said.
“It’s irrelevant to me. It’s irrelevant at this point,” Anthony said. “The truth of the matter is everybody else is kind of speaking up for me from their own experience. So I don’t have to speak on it [until] I write my book later.”
What will it be called?
“Stay Melo. Not ‘furious’ or anything,” he said.
Smith simply tweeted:
Still trying to be relevant. Sad just sad.
— JR Smith (@TheRealJRSmith) December 22, 2016
“It’s irrelevant to me. It’s irrelevant at this point,” Anthony continued. “The truth of the matter is everybody else is kind of speaking up for me from their own experience. So I really don’t have to speak on it.”
Anthony was speaking in reference to Martin. While Smith fired off one tweet, Martin had a whole lot more to say.
The Nerve of an AWFUL AND COWARD ASS COACH. More to come
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
I didn’t have a father going up. We all know that. What’s George Karl excuse for being a terrible person
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
Everyone that’s played for that awful person and coach can’t stand the ground he walks on
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
Having a lot of wins doesn’t make you a good coach. He was blessed with great talent
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
Since we were so bad as players. Tell him to forfeit those Denver wins
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
George Karl is selfish,unhappy,missable,,cowardly person. No wonder he’s be fired every place he has coached
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
The book he is writing is full of lies and deceit. By far the worst coach that ever played for
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
Talking bout Melo didn’t like defense. Hell he never coached defense. How does that work
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
George Karl is the reason KiKi Vandeweghe lost his GM job in Denver. Told the staff they can’t serve 2 Kings. He no King. #CowardKarl
— Kenyon Martin Sr. (@KenyonMartinSr) December 22, 2016
Martin also appeared on “Undisputed” on FS1 to address Karl’s disparaging remarks. Martin says Karl “took a shot at my mom” when he claimed the NBA star didn’t know how to act like a man because he didn’t have a father in his life growing up.
“You’re taking a shot at the way she raised me, and other single mothers out there. You’re taking a shot at them.”
“My mother was my mother and my father. So for you to say that you disrespecting her,” Martin continued.
Karl has not yet responded to the players’ remarks or the shockwaves he’s created with the book.
