In a story that sounds more like a scene from a basketball-themed thriller than a locker room anecdote, former NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith recently opened up about a bizarre moment from their time with the Denver Nuggets, one that involved a strange book, an eerie vibe, and a coach known for his fiery personality.
During a conversation on a podcast, Carmelo and J.R. reminisced about their time under head coach George Karl, whose tenure with the Nuggets was as intense as it was controversial. But one memory stood out: the time they stumbled upon a “crazy book” in Karl’s office.
“Man, we saw that book and looked at each other like, ‘Nah, we out,’” J.R. joked. “I ain’t never go back in there again,” Carmelo added, laughing.
Carmelo and JR discussing how they found a crazy book in George Karl’s office and never wanted to go back in there again
Via the Redditor u/Nido616https://t.co/VCgjg9L86r pic.twitter.com/46R5sJC2DP
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 28, 2025
While neither player revealed the exact title or contents of the book, their reaction was enough to spark curiosity, and plenty of speculation. Was it a manifesto? A coaching diary? Something more… esoteric?
Karl, who coached the Nuggets from 2005 to 2013, is no stranger to controversy. His 2017 memoir, Furious George, took aim at several former players, including Carmelo and J.R., calling them “AAU babies” and criticizing their upbringing and leadership styles. The book stirred backlash across the league, with players firing back at Karl’s personal attacks.
Given that context, it’s no surprise that Melo and J.R. might have felt uneasy about whatever literature Karl kept tucked away in his office.
Whether the book was truly disturbing or just a quirky moment blown out of proportion, the story adds another layer to the complex relationship between Karl and his former stars.
