Memo to 'Melo: Grow Up or Sit Down

It was only a matter of time: Things are finally getting testy in Denver. Yesterday, George Karl went on a mini-rant against the face of his franchise, Carmelo Anthony.

"I think that's the next move," Karl said Monday, revealing that Anthony will be removed from games and shown a seat on the bench if the all-star forward fails to play smart, team basketball.

"I've told Melo in the last two weeks, 'I don't think you're listening. I don't think you're listening as well as you need to listen.' For me, the next step is to change the democracy back to a dictatorship."

Those are pretty strong words from Karl, and it's certainly not by accident that he said them to the Denver media. He wants everyone and their momma to know that he's not going to baby his superstar. The message seems to be, "OK, you've had an up and down year, you've been suspended, but now it's time to put all of that aside and lead this team." Of course, if Anthony takes this criticism the wrong way, this could mean career suicide for Karl in Denver.

"And, right now, what you're saying is basically, 'When is Melo going to get it?' Is it going to be next month?' As a coach, there's no one more frustrated, there's no one more angry than me, because I feel the pain."

It's a good thing that 'Melo has someone like Allen Iverson (a guy who has overcome major issues with media-friendly coaches in his career) to provide him with advice. The Nuggets are one game below .500, but currently hold the seventh playoff seed in the West.