NBA Rumors: George Karl doesn’t think Carmelo Anthony is a Phil Jackson type of player

Sometime this week, it’s expected that legendary coach Phil Jackson will accept the executive position that he’s been offered by the New York Knicks. Shortly after that, there will be a brief honeymoon period before the full attention turns toward whether or not Jackson can keep star Carmelo Anthony in the Big Apple over the summer where Anthony is free to opt out.

But if you ask another legendary coach, George Karl, he would say that Jackson should just let Anthony walk away, because he really doesn’t see the two as all that great of a fit together.

"ESPN Radio’s Colin Cowherd asked Karl if the Knicks keep Anthony while discussing Jackson potentially taking over the Knicks. “To me, when you ask me that question, I don’t think Melo is a Phil Jackson type of player,” Karl said on “The Herd.” “That would be my answer to that.” Karl, who coached Anthony from 2005-11, says Anthony is just one of many major decisions Jackson would have to make if he joins the Knicks."

At this point in ‘Melo’s career, Karl is probably right. Jackson is most notable for the work he did with two other NBA greats in Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan. The difference is, Jackson mentored Kobe and Jordan’s careers from when they were youngsters. Carmelo is already an entitled veteran, who might not mesh well with Jackson’s approach.

That might not be what Karl meant, but it’s a safe bet that he did.