As Phil Jackson is poised to take the reins of the most valuable yet embattled franchise, former coach George Karl has a suggestion on his former superstar, Carmelo Anthony.

Most people would understand why George Karl would be bitter with the Denver Nuggets, but Carmelo Anthony? It is quite a puzzle, but Karl has nothing but criticism for the Knicks superstar.

As the Phil Jackson hiring has been described in an ESPN report as a 'done deal,' the focus shifts to the waiting task at hand..the fate of Carmelo Anthony.

In an interview with ESPN Radio's Colin Cowherd, Karl has strong and definite words for the former scoring champion:

"To me, when you ask me that question, I don't think Melo is a Phil Jackson type of player. That would be my answer to that."

Cowherd then has the counterpoint that Carmelo and Kobe, who was once Jackson's muse at LA, were similar players. Karl still rebuts:

"Yeah, but Kobe has an ability to lift a team on his shoulders on a yearly basis, [on] the playoff basis. Melo has done it over three months or four months. He will be the best player in basketball for six weeks. Kobe has been the best player in basketball for all year and been the best player in basketball in a playoff series, in a championship, winning a championship ring. 
There's a little difference there. There is a different stage of regular season and playoffs. [But] Kobe at times has selfish basketball play and has a tough ego and attitude to handle." 

In a sense, Karl is saying that Carmelo is overrated-or that he is only a regular season player and not a playoff player. Anthony never missed the playoffs in his career-this year would be the first. But during his time in Denver, they were always booted out in the first round, except for 2009, when they reached the conference finals. (Basketball Reference.com).

His search for greener pastures (and probably an easier conference in the East) in New York also resulted in first round exits. Last year would have been a breakthrough when they beat the Celtics in the first round only to be clobbered by the rising Indiana Pacers. This season, they are currently out of the running.

Will Phil take Karl's advice? If Jackson does not see the competitive fire in Carmelo, would he trade him? That depends if Jackson really has 'complete control' which is hard to imagine. Jim Dolan foots the bill, so he still has the final say.

It's only Phil Jackson who can convince Dolan to let go of his star player. Only Phil can give Dolan an assurance that he can get the necessary free agents in 2015. The Zen Master would not trade him to a conference competitor like the Bulls-will he execute the trade that will ignite all the conspiracy theories-Melo to the Lakers?