George Karl

[rockymac52]

The treatment of JaVale McGee is one of Karl's pluses from his time in Denver. He utilized McGee perfectly -- as the spark-plug off the bench. It's not a coincidence that, with McGee on the bench most of the season, Denver played great basketball and was one of the best teams in the West.

JaVale's playing time or lack thereof should be an indictment on Denver management, not George Karl.

How is McGee's lack of playing time the front office's fault? That is 100% on George Karl.

[miller31time]

The treatment of JaVale McGee is one of Karl's pluses from his time in Denver. He utilized McGee perfectly -- as the spark-plug off the bench. It's not a coincidence that, with McGee on the bench most of the season, Denver played great basketball and was one of the best teams in the West.

JaVale's playing time or lack thereof should be an indictment on Denver management, not George Karl.

How is McGee's lack of playing time the front office's fault? That is 100% on George Karl.

Because it wasn't a "lack" of playing time. It was the appropriate amount of playing time for a gifted but unpredictable and erratic big man. It's not Karl's fault Denver spent 10+mil per year on the guy.

[LyricalRico]

Exactly. The person primarily responsible for McGee being on the bench is McGee. If he played better/smarter he'd play more. But since he's 7-feet tall and a freak athlete, it must be somebody else's fault if he's not successful. Same story as when he was here.



If Denver's idea of an "upgrade" over Karl is somebody who will play McGee big minutes no matter what, then they will take a big step back next season. GSW and HOU just leapfrogged them in the past week, and they didn't even have to do anything to do it.

[dangermouse]

I think Karl would be a great fit here.

A lot of similarities in this team to that Seattle team he took to the finals:

Great defensive PG (obv. Payton was better, but the Glove has said he sees a lot of himself in Wall) who has improved on his jump shot and scoring ability? Check.

I've always compared Beal to Hersey Hawkins. Stocky 3pt shooter. Beal will turn out to be the better player but I still think its a strong comparison.

Ervin Johnson was their shotblocking centre who did what he did fairly well. I remember him being better on the Bucks. Okafor brings a lot more to the table.

And of course Vesely is the white (and monogamous) Shawn Kemp.

[Kanyewest]

EG and George Karl worked together with the Bucks which probably means it would be less likely to happen.

[Nivek]

I think Karl is a good coach. I'd have to go back and check, but I kinda-sorta remember his teams having bad luck with a significant injury to a key player right before the playoffs. I think it happened to him a few times in Cleveland. I know it happened this year when Galinari tore his ACL. He also always seems to be coaching teams that have just good enough talent to be considered contenders, but without the elite guy to put them over the top.

I'd happily replace Wittman with him, but he wouldn't be my choice. My pick would be Joerger, which isn't very likely because he's going to be the coach in Memphis.

Chances of the Wizards firing Wittman and hiring Karl? Zero. Wittman is cheap, under contract, and did a solid professional coaching job last season. They won't replace him unless the team gets off to another horrendous start.

[Ruzious]

I think Karl is a good coach. I'd have to go back and check, but I kinda-sorta remember his teams having bad luck with a significant injury to a key player right before the playoffs. I think it happened to him a few times in Cleveland. I know it happened this year when Galinari tore his ACL. He also always seems to be coaching teams that have just good enough talent to be considered contenders, but without the elite guy to put them over the top.

I'd happily replace Wittman with him, but he wouldn't be my choice. My pick would be Joerger, which isn't very likely because he's going to be the coach in Memphis.

Chances of the Wizards firing Wittman and hiring Karl? Zero. Wittman is cheap, under contract, and did a solid professional coaching job last season. They won't replace him unless the team gets off to another horrendous start.

That'd be when they give him an extension.

[montestewart]

I think Karl is a good coach. I'd have to go back and check, but I kinda-sorta remember his teams having bad luck with a significant injury to a key player right before the playoffs. I think it happened to him a few times in Cleveland. I know it happened this year when Galinari tore his ACL. He also always seems to be coaching teams that have just good enough talent to be considered contenders, but without the elite guy to put them over the top.

I'd happily replace Wittman with him, but he wouldn't be my choice. My pick would be Joerger, which isn't very likely because he's going to be the coach in Memphis.

Chances of the Wizards firing Wittman and hiring Karl? Zero. Wittman is cheap, under contract, and did a solid professional coaching job last season. They won't replace him unless the team gets off to another horrendous start.

That'd be when they give him an extension.

No, I could see them replacing him. With Cassell.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

The Nugs had were 19-11 against the East and 36-14 against the West, so they did better statistically against the West.

Their 38-3 home record vs 19-22 away record might lend credence to your general point about altitude, although they did perform much better on the road the year before last.

Wittman beat Karl twice this past season.

One of those 3 in the 38-3 was a Denver home loss to the Wizards.

George Karl would do no better than Wittman with the Wizards IMO. Coaching is related greatly to the talent on the team. Wittman with Wall heathy was 25-19 at one point. I see no reason to bow down and pony up tons of cheddar for a coach who's older and IMO somewhat overrated. Karl is a good coach. So was Randy Wittman last season, given the team he had.

I want to see Wittman play out this hand with this team. I think Joerger will be the next Memphis coach. Outside of him I don't want another retread coach to be Wizards coach.

I remember the great Flip Saunders.

I don't want that again.

[sfam]

I'm not a huge fan of Karl, although I'm not a huge fan of Wittman either. Wittman has done great to get players into clear roles. I don't think he can think on his feet though. His game management has a lot to be desired, and he's clearly not great at developing talent that has holes. Instead he seems to sap player confidence.

I think Karl is lots more capable than Wittman, but he is an premadonna. That alone makes me not a fan. I would prefer we get a rock solid coach like a Doc Rivers, or take a chance on a assitant coach who has some real pizaaz. In any event, I doubt Wittman lasts past this year.

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

sfam, I don't disagree. I just want to see Witt play the string out and see.

Karl probably IS more capable. I agree, totally, that he's a prima donna. Like Flip IMO.

I think you're on point about not developing talent and sapping confidence. He's the type who makes you put up or shut up, tough-love style. Young guys don't go for that well, unless they are tough suckers like Bradley Beal. That kid is hard-nosed and a prodigy. His brothers already whipped him into manhood by the time he was 16 or 17. He just needed to adjust to the speed and athleticism of NBA players, but not the toughness. Beal will be the guy bringing the pain. Randy didn't have to do anything but put him out there and be patient.

I think Wittman did well enough the season before last with the young guys, because he didn't have veteran alternatives in Okafor and Ariza. But you're ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, sfam, that the talent of JV, KS, and CS did not develop and none of them got more confident.

When I say I like Wittman I can't overlook that. I just want the team to reach 45-50 wins, but the bigger picture involves developing players. Not just insisting the team has enough young guys.