Carmelo Anthony takes high road after George Karl calls him a 'user'

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 06: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks looks on during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on December 6, 2016 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Carmelo Anthony took the high road when asked about comments made by his former coach, George Karl, in which Karl called Anthony "a user of people, addicted to the spotlight" in a new book by Karl set to be released early in 2017.

After the Knicks' win over the Magic on Thursday night, Anthony said that he wasn't disappointed by the remarks, as he is "past being disappointed."

Via ESPN:

"I just hope that he finds happiness in what he's doing," he said. "His book, hopefully, will bring him happiness."

Anthony's former Nuggets teammate, Kenyon Martin, wasn't so kind: He ripped Karl on Twitter for the remarks. Anthony wouldn't take the bait, however.

"It's irrelevant to me. It's irrelevant at this point," Anthony said. "The truth of the matter is everybody else is kind of speaking up for me from their own experience. So I really don't have to speak on it."

Anthony played under Karl in Denver from 2005 until he requested a trade to the Knicks in 2011.

Karl called Anthony a "conundrum" in the book and said he couldn't figure out how to get him to embrace his role as a leader on the team ... or play any defense.

On Thursday night, Anthony said he'd never heard such criticisms in his time in Denver.

"When you're there, it's a different story than what you hear after the fact. I never knew it was this much. I never knew I was a -- what was the word -- conundrum? I don't even know what the hell that means, to be honest with you.

"I never knew that. That never was brought up, anybody that you ask -- assistant coaches, players, front-office people -- anybody you ask will sing a different tune when it comes to me, when it comes to our mentality, that team."

Anthony wasn't the only one criticized in the book. Martin and J.R. Smith were also called out by Karl, as he said they were like "the spoiled brats you see in junior golf and junior tennis." Karl also wrote that "Kenyon and Carmelo carried two big burdens: all that money and no father to show them how to act like a man."