Is the war finally over? Nuggets fans have long witnessed the infamous feud between Carmelo Anthony and former Nuggets coach George Karl. Even after their retirement, the two continued to take shots at each other, whether on talk shows or on X. Despite Karl arguing that Melo should move on from the past, the former coach seemed hooked still, frequently throwing shade at the Knicks legend. However, after years of tension, Karl has finally decided to mend fences, posting yet another message on X.

Pouring praise upon the basketball star, Karl declared that he wants to end the feud with Melo. “In a time of division, where coming together truly matters, I’m done feuding with Carmelo Anthony,” Karl wrote.

The former coach had previously taken digs at fans’ emotions, jokingly pranking them into thinking he had forgotten the feud with similar posts, but this time, it seems to be genuine. “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,” he further wrote.

Except for Melo and Karl, fans have long expressed that the feud has been dragged out too far. Regardless, it has continued, with Melo calling out Karl’s discrediting comments about him during their first encounter.

Carmelo Anthony recounted George Karl’s 20-year-old remark

In an episode of the 7 PM in Brooklyn podcast with Kid Mero, the New York Knicks legend recalled that Karl called him “overrated” when he first joined the team as a coach and stated they needed to work out a lot. This was during the 2004-05 season, just a year after Melo led Syracuse to a NCAA championship and was drafted into the NBA.

Karl’s response to Melo wasn’t sympathetic at all. Instead, the former coach urged the basketball star to move on from the past. While most of his comments might have been meant as jokes, they were still too pointed. He also stated that Melo wasn’t as efficient as Seattle Supersonics’ Detlef Schrempf.

Doubling down on his 20-year-old comment, Karl said, “And u were overrated and u wish your game was as efficient as Detlef’s.”

How did Carmelo Anthony react to his portrayal in George Karl’s book?

However, not all of Karl’s comments were intended to throw shade at Melo. In his memoir, the former coach praised Melo as the “best offensive” player he has ever coached. Yet, he didn’t completely abandon his usual approach. In the book, he went on to portray the Knicks legend in a poor light. When the 10x NBA All-Star confronted his former coach about this, Karl sang a different tune.

As Melo shared, the former Nuggets coach apologized for his repetitive remarks. However, the Knicks legend, who believed the comments were made to boost book sales, didn’t buy it and went on to rant about it on the podcast. The list of such instances is quite long.

George Karl’s birthday post for Nikola Jokic was actually meant for Carmelo Anthony?

Both Karl and Melo had a lot to say about the No. 15 Denver Nuggets jersey, which is now worn by Nikola Jokic. The Kincks legend, having started out with the Nuggets, wasn’t exactly happy that the jersey No. 15 was given away to Jokic; who again, had worn it since he was a kid. “But what I believe, is that they gave him No. 15 to try to erase what I did,” he had said after being a 4X All-Star and averaging 24.8 points and 6.3 rebounds during his time in the franchise. 

Now, it was around the same time that Karl made a post for the Serbian star. “Happy bday to the champ, the ultimate team guy and the greatest player to wear #15 in Denver hoops history,” he wrote on X. Yes. But that wasn’t all. 

The 2013 NBA Coach of the Year went so far as to tag Melo. But once again, he would go on to mention that both Melo and Jokic should be honored for their contributions and suggested that two No. 15 jerseys should be hung in the rafters.

Even with the former coach’s friendly declaration, it’s unlikely that Melo will respond, but then again, we can never be sure. Until then, the feud remains up in the air.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.