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by Andrew Feinstein on Apr 28, 2008 9:02 AM MDT

The Rocky Mountain News' Chris Tomasson is reporting that several Nuggets players want George Karl back next season.

Tomasson's colleague Dave Krieger is defending George Karl and in doing so suggests that the Nuggets 50-win season was miraculous given how "uncoachable" the players are.

The Denver Post's Benjamin Hochman is also reporting that Karl's job is secure and gives this blog a nice shoutout (thanks!).

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I swear to GOD, If Karl is back next year, I won't spend a dime on Nugs tickets next season.
I used to think you were pretty harsh on our apathetic George, but getting spanked these 3 playoff games, and making absolutely no adjustments to try to get a different outcome has opened my eyes.

by Connman on Apr 28, 2008 9:11 AM MDT reply actions

I couldnt stop laughing after reading as one of the keys to the game tonight "Get Camby involved offensively the REBOUNDING MACHINE was held blah blah blah...in game 3"

The REBOUNDING MACHINE? Try the folding chair who allows the Lakers to score effortlessly inside machine.

by John on Apr 28, 2008 9:24 AM MDT reply actions

Nooooooooo! It's time for something new. It's obviously not working. Hire Larry Brown! Hire Jeff Van Gundy!

by ohxten on Apr 28, 2008 9:50 AM MDT reply actions

karl will be back, and the nuggets will suck again...yeah they won 50 games....big deal, the players don't listen to him, he should have been canned 2 years ago when he had his feud with Kenyon...

Iverson and Camby are as good as gone this summer anyway, so maybe Karl can come up with a new strategy to help this team underachieve next year.

by blue on Apr 28, 2008 9:59 AM MDT reply actions

I just read the Kieger article and I just think he's an idiot and a racist. I've noticed that most people in the media tend to blame the players and put all the pressure on them in the professional level.
And I pity all those Nugget fans and people like Keiger who say they should trade AI. I have an idea, why not trade Kidd for AI and see where you are next year. Having AI is privilege he is one of the most underrated players to ever play yes underrated. How is it that a player can average 7 assists a game and still be called selfish?

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 10:04 AM MDT reply actions

Letting Allen Iverson go will be the dumbest move that Denver management could make since..well, deciding to keep George Karl.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 10:33 AM MDT reply actions

Am I the only one that's getting sick of the rut that the Nuggets are in? At least when they sucked it was interesting to see if they could win or what great unknown European talent they'd take with their lottery pick. Now it's (and officially the cycle has been completed this morning):

-Start the season with a ton of expectations
-Get off to slow start
-Show just enough promise to get fans excited for the playoff push
-Falter enough to get in a precarious position for making the playoffs
-Get hot enough to excite the fans, even though the Nugs are a 6-8th seed
-Get (almost) swept by team with superior coaching
-Blame players
-Repeat

It's like basketball fandom purgatory.

by Chris on Apr 28, 2008 10:55 AM MDT reply actions

It seems that people are trying to blame the mess of the past year at the feet of one individual (Karl, 'Melo, AC, etc...). Obviously, there is more than enough blame to go around.

George Karl...

When Karl was hired here, he came with the reputation of alienating his stars because he overcoached them and expected too much (see: Ray Allen and Gary Payton). So he took the opposite approach and decided to be laid back. This gives the appearance of non-coaching is probably the worst thing you can do with this group of individuals. In his defense, Coach Karl makes some good in-game adjustments.

However, the worst of Karl's "sins" is that he bought into the Kool-Aid that the Nuggets have a really good offense. It's unbelievable that the Nuggets have two great offensive players and a middle-of-the-road offense. Karl's mistake here was never installing an offense outside of the "everybody take their man one-on-one" offense. While this was good enough to win 50 games because AI and Melo are pretty good at it, it breaks down against a good, disciplined team. Karl did manage to teach his team one offensive set this year (right before the 85th game). They used it in the first play of Game 3 and the result was an easy dunk. Of course, they never ran that play (or a counter to it) again.

Management...

Part of the reason the Nuggets offense is so dysfunctional is that the players fit together horribly. It goes without saying that K-Mart's deal was not the best thing the Nuggets could have done (nor was giving up three draft picks). However, even if he was healthy, the last thing the Nuggets need is another guy who is most effective from 6 inches or closer to the basket.

Look at our starting lineup. All of the players score best in the paint. So the best way to defend the Nuggets is to do what the Lakers have done: crowd the paint. So 'Melo or AI inevitably get doubled (or tripled), and what are they supposed to do? Kick it out to Camby for three? Pass to AC for another brick? Hit a wide open K-Mart to watch the flattest jumper I've ever seen? This leaves them with two options: (1) a bad contested jumper, or (2) drive to the lane and hope that someone fouls them. This doesn't work against good teams.

When the Nuggets surround their stars with shooters the story changes. According to 82games.com, the Nuggets have three lineups that were among the most efficient in the league:

(1) Anthony, Iverson, Kleiza, Smith, and Najera;

(2) Anthony, Iverson, Kleiza, Smith, and Camby; and

(3) Anthony, Iverson, Najera, Smith, and Camby.

Surprisingly, despite the fact that these lineups are built for offense, two out of the three defend better than our starting lineup. Our starting lineup is +34 for the entire season in 923 minutes. The three lineups above are +117 in 260 minutes. This is not a coincidence.

The answer to all of this? Get rid of the dead weight. This is easier said than done, but ideally, the Nuggets could get rid of Martin, AC, and Camby's corpse and we will be better on offense and not much worse on defense. Replace them with shooters who can defend the perimeter and we can run an up tempo style that may work in the playoffs (at least get us to round two).

Carmelo Anthony...

Please play some defense once in a while. I have never seen a star player so lost on that side of the ball. He is so physically talented that I bet with some good instruction and some pride, he could be an above average defender.

AC...

Tries really hard and is a great guy, but should be a backup...in the NBDL.

Is anyone else going to the game tonight? I am hoping that I didn't waste my money and that we can give one last good showing this year (although I am not expecting a win). I am going to try my best not to punch any Lakers fans in the face.

by Matthew on Apr 28, 2008 11:17 AM MDT reply actions

How can they say that this group of players are "uncoachable"??? They haven't had anybody actually TRY to coach them!!

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 11:37 AM MDT reply actions

We should start going to Nuggets games next season and chant "Fire George Karl." If that doesn't work, then it's time to boycott

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 12:45 PM MDT reply actions

I'll never understand the "Anthony is uncoachable" argument. Did anyone else see Anthony play for the national team last summer. That was all about coaching. The first time he was on the team, they barely played him because he wasn't doing what they wanted. So last summer he responded to the coaching and was simply the best player on a team that included Kobe and Lebron James.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 12:52 PM MDT reply actions

I'm surprised at how the players want Karl back next season.

Sure, the free-flow no system, the free of responsibilities are fun but I thought players like Najera and AI want to win.

They have to know in order to win they must have a coach that can install a system and demands from his players.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 1:04 PM MDT reply actions

Just to clear up the comment about Allen Iverson leaving / being traded; it's not going to happen. Earlier the Nuggets' organization said that they would look to keep Iverson, if he chose to stay. Iverson has said that he would like to finish his career in Denver, if he was wanted. Seeing as this works for both the organization and AI, he's not going anywhere.

by Nataly on Apr 28, 2008 2:20 PM MDT reply actions

Melo is a joke. It's much easier to blame the coach though isn't it? Melo has a fat i-drink-way-too-much-beer-face and it's obvious he doesn't possess the drive necessary to win. This website is hilarious, it so obviously over-looks the players. Getting blown out at home in a must-win game 3 had nothing to do with coaching. Melo was out until 4 in the morning like usual and was too hung over a tired to give a shit about playing the game.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 3:10 PM MDT reply actions

did anyone besides me just notice that in the headline of dave krieger's column he called george karl a "ZOOKEEPER." uhhhh....hello racist?!! i'm emailing the rocky mountain news right now and suggest you all do the same...

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/staff/dave-krieger/contact/

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 3:55 PM MDT reply actions

dave krieger = racist douchebag

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 4:02 PM MDT reply actions

Please explain the racist implications in calling someone a "zookeeper?" I grew up in the south and am familiar with most of the terms, but "zookeeper" is new to me.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 4:12 PM MDT reply actions

F@$# anyone who thinks Zieger's zookeeper remarks are racist...

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 6:25 PM MDT reply actions

Najera just said that because he's a good guy. And same for Camby. I really don't know why A.I. said thas he wants Karl back. But it's obvious Melo doesn't want him back and that would be my main concern if I owned this team. Melo needs a good coach to be successful. Look at how he did in college and on team USA this past summer when he has has bonafide successful good coaching. That should be a sign but managment seems to be visually impared.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 8:06 PM MDT reply actions

At the end of the first quarter lets hope NENE has the strength and the decent choices to keep Camby on the bench. We need an overall player tonight. Shit...allthough it's really not looking good. Well JR is playing his ass off.

by markp on Apr 28, 2008 9:33 PM MDT reply actions

Have a nice summer all of you Nuggets fans who have put up your time to be a part of our team thru good and not so good. This is a site for fans, passionate fans and I for one am proud to be part of the blog. Thanks A

by markp on Apr 28, 2008 10:03 PM MDT reply actions

If you think 'zookeeper' is racist remark . . . surprise, you're the one who is racist! every knows that a zoo is a synonym for craziness e.g., "this place is a zoo." you're the one who is drawing conclusions and connecting dots that aren't there. you are the racist.

by Anonymous on Apr 28, 2008 10:27 PM MDT reply actions

The GK love fest with Anthony Carter continues even though any time he is in the game the Lakers immediately immediately go on runs. News to GK... Anthony Carter = disadvantage. Nothing personal against the guy but he is short and he can't shoot. Bad combo.

by paterade on Apr 28, 2008 10:41 PM MDT reply actions

well said P.

by markp on Apr 28, 2008 10:48 PM MDT reply actions

Again we will lose because of poor shot selection. Early in the 4th quarter. Same old shit.

by markp on Apr 28, 2008 10:51 PM MDT reply actions

Lakers are clearly a better team but the Nuggets got absolutely crushed by the whistle tonight. I've never seen so many iffy offensive fouls.

by Paterade on Apr 28, 2008 11:13 PM MDT reply actions

It's over, Nuggets lost T T. At least this game they didn't give up since this was the best playoff game they played this year.

Kenyon, Carmelo, and Nene fouled out.

by Kohaku on Apr 28, 2008 11:22 PM MDT reply actions

The refs fucking sucked. Who the hell holds these pathetic fools accountable.The Nuggets didn't give up. Anthony still can't find a basket, JR is great and still drops the other shoe. Iverson needs to go. Times up. Too bad... but you know... we still have Colorado, just look to the West.

by markp on Apr 28, 2008 11:33 PM MDT reply actions

Everyone is going to fairly point at Melo and AI but no one will mention that Karl was absolutely embarassed by Phil Jackson. Matchups always favored LA the whole series. JR Smith didn't get enough minutes (as always). No wide open shots. NO TECHNICALS?. No coherent offensive strategy.

by Paterade on Apr 28, 2008 11:51 PM MDT reply actions

if they don't fire karl. i'm gona be upset. if they don't fire karl, then they don't re-sign JR. i'm gonna follow another team.

trade camby (and kleiza if needed) for a good PG and good role player big man like reggie evans was. with nene healthy he can start at center and JR will be a solid off the bench player.

by andrew fisher on Apr 29, 2008 12:57 AM MDT reply actions

I was at the Pepsi Center tonight and noticed several things that led to the Nuggets loss. 1. The Nuggets were totally ANEMIC in the First Quarter. They didn't seem to be trying on either end of the floor and George Karl didn't insert his most effective player, JR Smith, into the game until the Second. 2. Carmelo Anthony took too many bad shots from the perimiter, which really cost the Nuggets on the offensive end in the Second Half. 3. The refs were TERRIBLE and called fouls massively in the Lakers favor. There seemed to be several obvious fouls committed by the Lakers that were no calls and several ticky tac fouls called on the Nuggets. Kobe Bryant seemed to be at the center of most of these calls and no-calls. 4. Aside from the refs help, Kobe still played amazingly, especially on the offensive end. I was totally amazed by several of the shots he made. Hopefully next year, we will stil have a high level of talent and they will have a good coach who will guide them to Home Court Advantage in the First Round.

by Murl on Apr 29, 2008 1:48 AM MDT reply actions

Laker fan here. Sorry you have such a lousy coach who can't get more out of some v. talented players. If you had Phil, or Van Gundy, or Avery Johnson or, well, basically anyone with some sense of the importance of playing D, there's way too much talent for you guys not to be successful. Don't sh*t on AI anyone. No one has a bigger heart in the NBA. Pound for pound he's the toughest dude in the league. And as someone else mentioned, above, it's not someone being coachable which is the probably for 'melo. He was begging Karl to do something in Game 3, late, and Karl never has any sort of original thought about Xs and Os and so you guys lost. Speaking as a teacher, I know that if you invest time and effort in holding people accountable, everyone will respond. If they don't, you're not doing it right. It's unbelievable to me that Karl's job is guaranteed. I hope Carmelo doesn't become too bitter. He is such an offensive phenom. You guys need a Van Gundy or Adelman or Bernie Bickerstaff or someone to demand players play some D and not just play on one side of the ball. 'melo could quite easily be a decent defender, but we all need people to motivate us. Anyway, sorry about the end of your season Nuggets fans....but you're still gonna beat our Dodger ass in baseball I think, unfortunately.

by t on Apr 29, 2008 1:50 AM MDT reply actions

Iverson needs to opt out and leave...other then that I really don't care what they do with that supposed franchise at this point. That team hasn't seemed commited to winning all season, so why start now. Iverson needs to go to a team that plays to his strengths, because this one doesn't...i'm not sure whos fault it is, but this system just doesn't work for what he has to bring to the table. The Nuggets made a trade for Iverson as what they thought was a quick fix, but they didn't seem to have a plan after. They just threw him in the backcourt with anybody. And seemed to have no offensive plan what so ever other then iso's. As a long time b-ball fan I feel like Iverson deserves better and deserves to go to a franchise and team that is commited to winning. He doesn't have time for them to sit around and try to figure it out. He's still playing at an incredible level and is one of the biggest box office stars in the league, so he shouldn't have any problem with finding another team.
And if he had planned to opt out and resign for a little less money anyhow, why not find a better team with a Coaching staff that is ready to win. The Nuggets made a trade for Iverson and acted as if they were ready to win. When realistically, they weren't. They have a lot of issues to work out. But Iverson should do whats best for him and go, he's too legendary of a player to spend the rest of his career on a team and franchise that is taking baby steps to contend.

Carmelo should be given one more season, if he still hasn't developed into a leader after that..then the FO needs to seriously explore their options on him. I have given up on Melo as a franchise player, to me he's a solid player and thats it. And I honastly don't see things changing much. At this point I think he is what he is.

They better hope they can hang onto JR Smith, but JR should explore his options as well. I think under the right Coach, the sky could be the limit for JR.

by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 1:52 AM MDT reply actions

"Everyone is going to fairly point at Melo and AI but no one will mention that Karl was absolutely embarassed by Phil Jackson."

Dude you are so crazy!! Kobe beat the Nuggets by himself at the end with amazing shots(because he is the best on the planet)... Phil had nothing to do with that... my five year old nepew could have coached that last 6mins for the lakers! You guys are bitter ad crazy! Hey Andrew and the rest of you sit on the couch coaches. Fire who? Why don't you spend as much time supporting your your team and coach as you too putting them down then maybe you sorry denver fans may win someday. hahahahah ....We never gave up on our team or coach even though we went out in the first round the last 2 years to the same team.... support your team!! Laker Fan!

by Anonymous on Apr 29, 2008 2:11 AM MDT reply actions

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5. MIKE BROWN
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