Karl Has Eye on Mavs - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

Mavs Rule · 03-29-2004, 10:30 PM

Rumors put Karl in Nuggets' mix
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
March 29, 2004

George Karl says he wants to return to the NBA next season as a head coach. He says he would prefer to be in the Western Conference.

But Karl stopped short of saying Sunday he would be interested in the Denver Nuggets position if the team elects not to bring back Jeff Bzdelik.

There has been speculation among NBA insiders that the Nuggets would be interested in Karl if Bzdelik is not retained. Not only does Karl have the 15th-best winning percentage in NBA history, he and Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke have a business relationship, both being investors in a health club in Columbus, Ohio.

The New York Daily News touched upon Karl's possible future with Denver on Saturday. NBA columnist Mitch Lawrence wrote, "Looking to return to coaching, George Karl reportedly has his eye on three jobs: Denver (which is going to open), Dallas (which may open) and Portland (which is not going to open)."

"I can't deny that I'd like to get back in," Karl said in a telephone interview. "There's no question that I miss coaching."

Karl, 52, has been out of coaching since being fired by Milwaukee after the 2002-03 season and has been working as an ESPN analyst. Karl said he hasn't spoken to any Denver officials about the job and that it would be "unfair" to Bzdelik to speculate about his interest should the job become open.

"I think Jeff has done a good job," Karl said. "But I don't know why they let me in go in Milwaukee. I don't know why Detroit let Rick Carlisle go. I don't know why New Orleans let Paul Silas go. . . . Life isn't fair. The coaching business is even more unfair."

The Nuggets have gone 38-37 under Bzdelik, a dramatic improvement over last season's mark of 17-65 in his first season.

But the Nuggets have dropped 14 of their past 20 games and their playoff chances, which once looked good, are now in doubt, fueling speculation about Bzdelik's future.

The Nuggets hold an option on Bzdelik's contract for next season, worth about $1.5 million. The Nuggets have until 30 days after the team's final game to pick it up, and general manager Kiki Vandeweghe declined to speculate on what the team might do.

"We're in a playoff fight right now, and we have a coach," said Vandeweghe, when asked about speculation regarding Karl.

Asked if he considers such speculation a distraction to his team, Vandeweghe said, "In the NBA, there's always speculation. We all have it. I don't really worry about it. Jeff's a professional."

When asked if he had a comment, Bzdelik said, "No, I don't. I'm sure there's going to be a lot of speculation."

Kroenke, who Wednesday declined to comment on Bzdelik's future, could not be reached Sunday. Nuggets publicist Eric Sebastian said Kroenke would not comment.

Karl said he and Kroenke have been business partners for about seven years in The Hoop Basketball & Fitness Center in Columbus. Karl said it's a six-court basketball training center with a full weight room.

"Stan and I own a building together," Karl said. "He owns more of it than I do. . . . I met him through an acquaintance. He's a huge basketball junkie. I began seeing him over the years in (Las) Vegas and places for AAU tournaments because his son and my son both play."

Kroenke's son, Josh Kroenke, was a senior this season at Missouri while Karl's son, Cody Karl, was a redshirt freshman at Boise State in Idaho. In order to see his son play, Karl said his preference next season is to coach in the West because he'd like to be "an hour or two (by plane) from Boise."

Karl also is friendly with Vandewehge, and the two were together on a Hong Kong exhibition tour in 1998. Karl said the only time he has talked with Kroenke and Vandeweghe this season was when he was in Denver for a Nov. 14 ESPN game, and there was no discussion about the Nuggets coaching job.

When asked if he believes Karl will be back in the NBA season next season with some team, Vandeweghe said, "I have a lot of respect for him. He's a very good coach. I would think so."

In 16 seasons with Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle and Milwaukee, Karl has a record of 708-499, a percentage of .587. Karl led the SuperSonics to the 1996 NBA Finals.

"If I get back (into coaching), it would have to be a good situation," Karl said. "But I don't need a long- term contract. I can work with a team if it's the right situation."

In his final season with the Bucks, Karl made $7 million. Karl acknowledged he wouldn't expect a team to pay him that amount, but would seek to be paid "whatever the marketplace" dictates is fair.

This Article

Lawrence's Article

mavsfanforever · 03-29-2004, 10:32 PM

Karl is a very good friend of Don Nelson. Him, Paul Silas and Nellie have been teammates and have been friends for a while. The only reason Karl might be here is if Nellie appoints him.

Max Power · 03-29-2004, 11:04 PM

I'm not sure that I want Karl coaching here. He totally lost his last team and that has to count against him.

MavKikiNYC · 03-29-2004, 11:18 PM

No. Hell no. Karl has issues. Does anyone have any detailed info on the circumstances under which Nellie, then GM, replaced Karl as head coach of the GS Warriors?

Karl is as a coach what Antoine Walker is as a Power Forward--a cancer. He left Seattle with the team coming apart at the seams, and then rode a very talented Bucks team into the ground. He lost the whole damned team.

I do NOT want the new coach to be a Nellie hire. No Donnie. No Avery even. And CERTAINLY not no damned commadno-goin' George Karl.

Clean house. Bring in new management. Let a new GM hire his own man, with NO allegiances to Nellie.

Clean break.

OutletPass · 03-29-2004, 11:23 PM

No, no and no.

dude1394 · 03-29-2004, 11:24 PM

Karl Malone. Heck yea! That thug..

Dirkenstien · 03-29-2004, 11:29 PM

No... too many better options out there in my opinion

mavsfanforever · 03-30-2004, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dude1394
Karl Malone. Heck yea! That thug..

I wish it was Malone.

MightyToine · 03-30-2004, 12:16 AM

#8 is not a cancer...

He's a flawed player.

Yup. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Evilmav2 · 03-30-2004, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: dude1394
Karl Malone. Heck yea! That thug..

I got excited thinking about big #32 when I read the title of this thread to...

kg_veteran · 03-30-2004, 12:35 AM

I think it's unanimous. No to George Karl.

ddh33 · 03-30-2004, 01:27 AM

George Karl is one of those guys that thrives on drama. I don't think this franchise or these players are built for a guy like that. In fact, most places and players aren't.

Karl was successful in Seattle because of Gary Payton. GP likes drama. Look at this season.
He failed in Milwaukee because Ray Allen didn't do well with drama.

I just don't think it's a good fit. In fact, it is very similar to the Walker situation that someone else brought up. Both guys are fine and good at what they do. They just don't fit here...

samoan-maverick · 03-30-2004, 02:22 AM

George Karl could've been the coach of this team...

PG- Sam Cassell
SG- Ray Allen
SF- Michael Redd
PF- Dirk Nowitzki
C- (Does it matter???)

He aint screwin' up my Mavericks...Hea NOOOO!!!!!

PubaNWO · 03-30-2004, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by: MavKikiNYC
No. Hell no. Karl has issues. Does anyone have any detailed info on the circumstances under which Nellie, then GM, replaced Karl as head coach of the GS Warriors?

Karl is as a coach what Antoine Walker is as a Power Forward--a cancer. He left Seattle with the team coming apart at the seams, and then rode a very talented Bucks team into the ground. He lost the whole damned team.

I do NOT want the new coach to be a Nellie hire. No Donnie. No Avery even. And CERTAINLY not no damned commadno-goin' George Karl.

Clean house. Bring in new management. Let a new GM hire his own man, with NO allegiances to Nellie.

Clean break.

Walker IS not a CANCER!

Drbio · 03-30-2004, 11:26 AM

I'm not sure Walker is so much a cancer as he is a venerial disease.

Just say no to Karl.

PubaNWO · 03-30-2004, 02:59 PM

Karl couldn't even get along with Pierce....he is a joke! NO TO KARL!!!!

I'd rather have "The Little General" lead the Mavs...

EricaLubarsky · 03-30-2004, 03:15 PM

I think we should have snagged Silas while we had the chance. I've always admired what he brought to the table.

If Karl is the best we can get then we are in big trouble. I would rather have Nellie and an under-performing team than Karl who brings negativity to his squads.

Usually Lurkin · 03-30-2004, 03:35 PM

I've got my five favorite mavs right here, you team killer!!

FilthyFinMavs · 03-31-2004, 01:52 PM

I'd prefer AJ over Karl.

ShaggyDirk · 03-31-2004, 11:56 PM

n