OT- George Karl Isn't a Good Coach

[BirdIsDaKing]

comon, before knocking on him know his history.

He coached a sonics team in the 90s that was probably, behind the bulls, the most successful franchise of the decade (Although the Rockets and Jazz and Knicks are close aswell) His Sonics teams were DEFENSIVE oriented, and they were very good defensively.

The bucks team also was one game away from going to the finals in 2001, I mean having guys like ray allen doesnt automatically mean a trip to the NBA finals, but they were very close to doing so.

Karl would've had one ring had they not have played the greatest team ever record wise.

Karl is not a bad coach, just a bad team. How the hell can you make a group of guys like the ones in denver actually...work?

And to the person who said that the Sonics defense was competent back in the mid 90s...are you kidding me?! That defense tore **** up.

[Pogue Mahone]

Denver does play defense. Not great defense but they were 10th in the league this season.

That being said, their defense could be so much better but you have knuckleheads leaking on the defensive glass, gambling for steals, etc. One of the things about them not challenging much on penetration, believe it or not, is that they don't give up very many points from the foul line. It may seem counter-intuitive but because they play at such a frenetic pace, their overall defense is actually pretty good.

For instance, they play at a 99.7 possessions per game tempo. They allow 106.3 points per 100 possessions. To provide context on that, in 1985-86, the Boston Celtics were ranked #1, overall, in defense at 102.6 points per 100 possessions. Boston played at a 101.2 possessions clip.

The average defense in 1985-86 was 107.2 points per possession. This season it was 107.5.

As stated above, Denver's 106.3 was good for 10th in the league. In 1985-86, that mark would have been tied them for 11th. Now consider that 106.3 in a 107.5 environment is slightly more difficult to put up than 106.3 in a 107.2 environment.

So, when compared to other team's in both their own era and who played at a similar pace, Denver's regular season defensive performance was good enough for at least top half of the league-- actually slightly better.

What you are seeing in the playoffs is that Denver's defense is no longer top-5 in avoiding fouls. The lack of defensive rebounding and the propensity to allow easy shots only compounds that.

Personally I think Nene solves a lot of problems for them. Nene is the heart and soul of that team, imo. He is the bridge between the coaching staff and the players. He is the one who can body up bigger players in the post (allowing Camby to roam), guard on the perimeter (allowing Camby to tin-guard) and he is excellent as a lane-clogger. Nene has some ability to post-up, is an adapt passer and plays physical on both ends of the floor.

Without Nene, they are an offensively talented team and on defense they force turnovers and avoid fouling. With Nene added to their personnel, they should have been a top-5 defensive team, imo.

[s1ickd]

Actually, their mix of personnel isnt bad at all.

Camby and Kenyon are a good duo down low. They aren't liabilities on offense, they rebound well, bother shots, they're versatile...

Melo and AI compliment each others skillsets because they score in very different ways. The problem is, I don't see any plays run to actually utilize these skills. Iverson should be doing pick and rolls with Kenyon. Melo should be posting up smaller 3's on the block.

Iverson and Melo aren't malcontents. AI arguably tries harder to win on any given night than most of the league. Melo isn't the type to complain or pout, he generaly plays with a smile on his face. He might not be the brightest bulb, but he isn't Stephon Marbury by a longshot.

A decent coach would be able to pull that team together a lot better than Karl is doing right now. Someone like Rick Carlisle, Flip Saunders, Larry Brown, Doc Rivers, Rick Adelman, Avery Johnson...... someone that pays attention to detail.

[GuyClinch]

Maybe you guys should wait till see how it plays out in Denver for condemning Karl. <g> The Lakers win two games at home and suddenly Karl can't coach? And I echo Pogues words that Denver does in fact play defense it's just their high pace hides it.

Just because a few commentators have made that comment after they failed to contain a high powered Lakers team - don't believe everything you hear..

Pete

[MyInsatiableOne]

-= original quote snipped =-



HAve you watched that team. I think that assessment is bang on. contrast that with the cultural change that KG brought to eh Celtics. The professionalism he brought. The winning attitude not stat line attitude.

leper-con, to both of your posts,

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Yeah, I think the Denver plays no defense thing is sort of overrated. People see they give up at least a 100 a game and figure they must not play defense, but they don't take into account the pace they play at.

I think their high pace hurts them more on the offensive end. It seems their best option on most offensive sets is to get Melo on the block or in the high post and let him go to work. The guy is unstoppable one on one. But they seem to be content with rushing the ball up the floor and taking the first 18 footer that is somewhat open.

[Athanacropolis]

Basketbawful had a good post about how undisciplined Denver's defense is in that they scramble and try to force turnovers all the time instead of hunkering down, denying the ball, and getting to their stops. This can inflate the defensive numbers somewhat.

Yeah, I know Basketbawful is a comedy site (and a damn good one at that), but the author made some good points about that.

PS George Karl also looks like a heavier John Lithgow.

[MyInsatiableOne]

But leper-con is right, they are all a bunch of selfish knuckle-heads.

Karl is a good coach...he had great teams in Seattle and some very good ones in Milwaukee, too

[doctaJ_92]

A lot of things may be his fault on that team, but defence isnt. With the collection of talent and athleticism they have, them giving up 120 points most nights and giving up countless layups is on the players.