Karl: Lillard, Anthony may share similar flaws
George Karl's publicity blitz for his new book continues.
The longtime NBA head coach went into further detail about his controversial remarks regarding Carmelo Anthony's upbringing Wednesday and his assertion the New York Knicks star is a "user of people."
"Melo is a hell of a player, the best offensive player I've ever coached. I owe him as much as anyone for my having a great record," Karl told New York magazine's David Marchese of his time coaching Anthony with the Denver Nuggets.
"But there's a new generation of players interested in personal branding and gaining money and power off the court, and that's all new to me. There were too many times with Melo when what was going on off the court was more important than what was happening on the court. It bothered me then and it bothers me now."
Karl then went on to suggest Damian Lillard could be negatively affecting the Portland Trail Blazers in a similar manner.
"That kind of thing bothered me just the other night ... I was watching the (Blazers) play, and I was trying to figure out, 'What the hell is wrong with this team?'
"My conclusion is that Damian Lillard is getting too much attention ... who controls the team? The coach and the point guard. And that team is not working. I think their coach, Terry Stotts, is a great coach. So I'm going to say the problem is Lillard. They were a together, connected, committed team last year. This year they’re not. What changed?"
Related: Melo takes high road, says he wants Karl to 'find happiness'
Karl has never been afraid to call things as he sees them, regardless of decorum or popular opinion. As a result, some players seem to have attached the term "snake in the grass" to him.
Karl's book, "Furious George: My Forty Years Surviving NBA Divas, Clueless GMs, and Poor Shot Selection," includes his proclamation that the league has a PED problem, and an anecdote that Michael Jordan once encouraged him to trade for Scottie Pippen.
Karl was even asked by Marchese about the urban legend that fellow UNC alum Jordan's first retirement from 1993-95 was actually some form of league-mandated secret gambling suspension.
"I hope not," Karl replied. "But Michael will bet on the door opening. He was a competitive S.O.B. when he was playing, and he's still that way today when he's at the casinos in Vegas."
Karl was fired by the Sacramento Kings - his sixth NBA coaching address - in April. The 64-year-old remains in fifth place all time with 1,175 NBA head coaching victories, 35 wins behind Pat Riley.