George Karl Says Carmelo Anthony Wanted To Be On The Same Level As LeBron James: "I Know When We Played LeBron When I Coached Melo, Melo Got Fired Up, He Got Into The Game."

Former Nuggets coach George Karl has been throwing shots at Carmelo for almost a week. Karl coached Carmelo in Denver from 2005-2011. The two spent six seasons together in Denver until the Carmelo requested a trade that sent him to New York for multiple players and draft picks.

Karl and Anthony reached the playoffs all six season but were eliminated five times in the first round of the playoffs. Their best campaign together was in 2009 where the Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals only to be swept by the eventual champion and Kobe Bryant-led Los Angeles Lakers.

Karl revealed that Carmelo wanted to be on the same level as LeBron during his time with Denver Nuggets. He added that Carmelo would get fired up whenever they play LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron and Carmelo were drafted on the same year in 2003 NBA Draft. LeBron was picked 1st overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers while Carmelo was picked by the Denver Nuggets as their third overall. The two went head-to-head for the 'Rookie of the Year' award in 2004 but LeBron eventually edged Carmelo on voting by 78 points.


Karl answered the question on why LeBron and Carmelo just teamed up late in their career.

"The truth of the matter is I think Melo wanted to be on the same level as LeBron, and liked competing against LeBron. I know when we played LeBron when I coached Melo, Melo got fired up, he got into the game. When I was in Denver, we had a winning record against LeBron."

He also added that Carmelo might've accepted the fact that he wasn't on the same level of LeBron.

"I think it was more of Melo understanding he was not on the same level of LeBron and his light was fading while LeBron's was still shining."

Carmelo and LeBron have the chance to win a championship ring together this season. LeBron will go for his fifth while Carmelo will try to win his first ever NBA championship.