J.R. Smith, Kenyon Martin blast former Denver Nuggets coach George Karl
Former NBA player Kenyon Martin and current Cleveland Cavs sharpshooter J.R. Smith responded after their former coach, George Karl, took aim at a trio of his former players, including Carmelo Anthony, in his upcoming memoir set to be released in January.
Karl issued his harshest criticism of Anthony, whom he called a “true conundrum in the six years I had him. 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.”
Anthony shrewdly responded "no way" when asked about the remarks prior to Thursday's New York Knicks vs. Orlando Magic game.
But Martin and Smith didn't pass on the opportunity to rip their former coach after Karl wrote, "Kenyon and Carmelo carried two big burdens: all that money and no father to show them how to act like a man."
Smith responded Thursday afternoon as well.
Karl referred to the trio as “AAU babies."
Of Smith, Karl wrote that he had "a huge sense of entitlement, a distracting posse, his eye always on the next contract and some really unbelievable shot selection."
Karl's decision to use "posse" will no doubt draw skepticism after Phil Jackson's use of the word was heavily criticized when referencing LeBron James' business associates.
Follow Michael Singer on Twitter @msinger.