George Karl rips Mark Jackson for comments about Melo's defense

Retired NBA coach George Karl did not take kindly to comments made by ESPN game analyst Mark Jackson regarding Carmelo Anthony's defense Thursday.

"I heard (Mark Jackson) is taking shots at my defensive coaching during tonight's broadcast," tweeted Karl - who coached Anthony while with the Denver Nuggets from 2004-11 - during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers. "Remind me, how many All-Star teams did you coach, Mark? How many (Defensive Players of the Year)? How many Finals appearances?

"How many of my teams became dynasties right after I left?"

Jackson coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011-14, helping develop future All-Stars in Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. However, he was ultimately fired before the team's string of NBA Finals appearances and championship runs from 2015-19.

Jackson complimented Carmelo Anthony's defensive intensity in the first-round series on Thursday's broadcast, saying there was "a shared responsibility for whoever allowed" the veteran Blazers forward to play less-inspired defense earlier in his career.

While Jackson did not mention any person by name, Karl evidently took those comments as a shot at his role as the Nuggets' coach while Anthony was with the team.

For his part, Jackson claimed he had not meant to cast any aspersions on Karl's coaching tenure.