Are we witnessing the next great Karl implosion?...
by Andrew Feinstein on Mar 9, 2009 10:38 PM MDT
44 comments
As someone who's been investing his (nominal) savings in the stock market for the past few years, all I've wanted to know lately is: "have we hit the bottom yet?" After watching the Nuggets get dismantled by - and then briefly comeback against before ultimately losing to - the Rockets tonight, I find myself asking the same question about the Nuggets. I desperately want to know if we're in the middle of another infamous George Karl downturn or if we've just hit a bottom, and the Nuggets will be furiously coming back in the weeks ahead to regain our trust as fans and salvage a once great regular season. Because as all of us "investors" have learned, it's damn hard to know where the bottom is if you're just in the middle of the downturn.But before we start rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic that's been the Nuggets season recently, let's keep things in a little perspective. In spite of a third straight loss (and a fifth loss in six games) and a horrendous display of basketball since the All-Star break, the Nuggets remain on pace for a 50-win season and are only one game back of division leaders Utah and Portland. Moreover, with 17 games remaining the Nuggets have an embarrassingly easy schedule. Of those 17 games to come, 10 are at home and nine of those 10 games are against sub-.500 teams (although given that the Nuggets are 0-5 against sub-.500 teams since February 7th, maybe I should be rooting for good teams to come to Pepsi Center). Before the season concludes, the Nuggets will only have to play plus-.500 teams six more times and even get home dates against Oklahoma City and the Clippers twice apiece! It's like having an AFC West schedule and we all know how well the Broncos have benefited from that lately. Oh, wait...
Comparatively, of Portland's 19 remaining games, 10 are on the road - including a five and a four-game road trip - but only eight are against plus-.500 teams overall. Utah, meanwhile, has the toughest schedule of the three with 12 of their final 19 games against plus-.500 teams and 12 more road games on the horizon to boot.
In other words, it would take yet another colossal George Karl implosion to sink the Nuggets season and miss the playoffs altogether. But as fans of the 2001-02 Milwaukee Bucks know all too well, there is precedence for this sort of thing when Karl is involved.
So if the Nuggets have indeed hit their bottom, the cream puff games coming up should merely be stepping stones to wrapping up a solid season and finishing high enough in the Western Conference standings to give themselves a fighting chance at a playoff series victory. But if the Nuggets are in the middle of a downturn as we're all beginning to fear, the bottom could be very, very ugly.
Nuggets/Rockets Preview...
A few weeks ago, with the Nuggets clinging on to third place in the Western Conference with a healthy three game lead over Portland and a four-plus game lead over Utah, ESPN mentioned that Nuggets head coach George Karl should get Coach of the Year consideration. A few readers of this blog picked up on that unintentional joke and commented about it the absurdity of it, but it didn't get much more play here or elsewhere.On Sunday night in Sacramento (in front of a practically empty barn, mind you), ESPN's "Coach" of the Year candidate Karl got out-coached by Kenny Natt - who's only claim to fame among Denver area fans is that he's the brother of former Nuggets' power forward Calvin Natt. And on Friday night, Karl got out-coached by the true Coach of the Year, Jerry Sloan. I don't even have the heart to look at the schedule right now to see who's going to out-coach Karl this week.
While Karl spent all of February and early March under-promising and under-delivering, Sloan quietly did what Sloan does best: win basketball games. After today's fourth quarter comeback victory in Toronto in which Sloan's Jazz doubled the Raptors' scoring output in the final period, the Jazz win streak reached 11. Sloan's Jazz now stand a half game ahead of Karl's Nuggets during a season in which Carlos Boozer has missed 45 games, Andrei Kirilenko has missed 11 games and Deron Williams has missed 13 games due to injury. I don't care what happens the rest of the season, give Sloan the Coach of the Year trophy right now.
If ever one needed evidence of how far removed Karl should be from any Coach of the Year conversation, one only needs to look at the last two minutes of the first half of that Friday night Jazz game. With a 19-point lead in his possession, Karl sat quietly as his team allowed the Jazz to steamroll them down to a 10-point lead to close the half. Good coaches know how to close quarters to stave off cheap baskets and steal a big road win. Karl - who coached quite well earlier this season - has been anything but a good coach lately. He's been unable to get his players to "respect the regular season" and has reprised his role as the highest paid person to get a free courtside seat at NBA games.
If Karl intends on keeping that cushy courtside seat, I suggest he gets his players to start respecting the first half of a basketball game. Coach Karl, you're back to #1 on the Stiff List!
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Kleiza' +/- must be -200 for this one.
Karl will have to add at least two more assistant coaches to sit behind his chair, grab him by the armpits, and pull him to his feet for each time out.
JR smith has a career in stand up comedy or comedic performance art in his future. It's already must see TV and happens in every game. "WhI thinkit would be fitting to fire Krupps, JR's comedy show has begun..."
I think it would be fitting to fire Karl's ass, let him get another job, and then trade Smith to that team. they deserve each other. They can hit the clubs together. (let coach George drive).
by R.Pack on Mar 9, 2009 4:07 AM MDT reply actions
by NugzD on Mar 9, 2009 8:11 AM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 8:15 AM MDT reply actions
if the nuggs had won 18 games to this point in the season, i would still hit a few games at pepsi center and watch games on pitiful altitude. i would still cheer for the nuggets, but i wouldn't have so damn much invested in the season.
but now, with the possibility of a solid season ebbing into the haze, i can't stand it. i turned the tv off in the third last night. why? i can't stand it. when we play down the court and miss the jumper offense i feel like i am being beat up. why? cause i can't stand it. when we fall apart in the 3rd after a solid i want to change the channel and watch the shopping network. whey? cause i can't stand it. when the nuggets do everything that they know does not work, i feel like gouging my eyes out why???
i know. it is irresponsible for a grown man to have as much invested in a ball club, but i do. At a time that they should be peaking, they seem to be falling apart. and you know what?
i can't stand it.
by SpokenWar on Mar 9, 2009 9:00 AM MDT reply actions
1) A healthy KMart is key - the past 10 games or so in which the Nuggets have done poorly are almost 100% correlated with KMart's back injury. Compare his numbers the past 10 games or so (beginning on 2/20 in Chicago) with his numbers in January, and you'll see my point:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=515
I know Kmart has been hurt a ton in the past and not of much value to this team. But, that has changed this year.
2) And I almost hate to say it - but AC's contribution to the team as a pass first assist machine are critical. Similar to the Kmart exercise, check out his numbers over the past 10 games:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=137
I know that AC inexplicably tosses the ball into the stands at least once a game and has the worst shot in the universe, but we need a pass first facilitator on this team of ballhogs (I would prefer someone who could shoot too, but until then, I want AC's passing and assists back).
.... So, when Kmart and AC return healthy, look for the Nugs to rebound. On the bright side, GK has figured out during this stretch that Balkman can contribute too.
by Bee on Mar 9, 2009 9:20 AM MDT reply actions
Just think how much better we would feel if D. Lee was a Nugget and Kleiza was firing bricks (and not passing)for someone else.
by Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 9:50 AM MDT reply actions
With no accountablity across the board in the locker room this is what happens. Chaos does not work in basketball. Shoot first mentality only works in paintball not basketball. There are so many I's on this team it's nuts. Everyone is out for minutes and stats and it's sick.
I am convinced that we have a very good team in Denver. All of those wins were not a bunch of flukes. I don't know what happened to this team during the All-Star break, but it has got to be fixed. They haven't "BEAT" one sub .500 team since then. And in my opinon the Nuggs have had only two "WINS" since the break... Lakers and Portland.
As soon as I get my time machine up and running I'll invite all of back to December 2008, ah the good ol' days. You know back when you could bank on the Nuggs winning, or at least competing. Now every single game is a crap shoot.
Just out of curiosity, did T.O. hang out with any of our guys during the All-Star break? I swear his bad juju has made it's way into the Nuggs locker room. That guy has the 'Joe the Plumber touch...Everything he touches turns to shit. And that's all I see watching these games now-a-days, a whole lotta shit.
SHIT!
by joelsopinion on Mar 9, 2009 10:15 AM MDT reply actions
First half of the Utah game, I was thinking that the team was finally getting it. Great focus, big lead, great defense. I was thinking I might have to do a post about how I was wrong about Karl, and he actually was coaching the team well. We know how that turned out.
3-7 in the last 10. Fallen from first to third in the division. From as high as second to 7th in the conference. Looks like 9th place is calling our name. Only way they make it now is if Phoenix also continues to play like a high school team.
The game last night was over in the first two minutes. They opened up 8-0 and that gave them a working margin for the rest of the night.
Looks like another 0-4 if they manage to get in the playoffs at all. The only consolation is that this time they would have to fire Karl and get a coach who would actually install an offensive system and do something besides sit on his ass during the game.
by KarlSucks on Mar 9, 2009 10:25 AM MDT reply actions
I swear this team is hard to watch. I wonder how many Nuggets related heart attacks and anxiety attacks are reported between November and April.
Do you think we can hire Chris Brown to beat up on Karl a bit?...
Too soon???
Then can't we just fire him!
by Joelsopinion on Mar 9, 2009 12:23 PM MDT reply actions
If he was smart, he'd start at the bars. Alcohol makes the entire experience less painful.
I'm taking a new approach to the games. I used to Tivo them and come in about an hour in to fast forward through the commercials. Now I'm letting the whole thing record, and fast forwarding through entire sections of the game. Once they get down by 15 or more, I get irritated and start fast forwarding, just watching the score to see if it becomes competitive. It never does...
More great quotes from Karl. Someone asked him about starting J.R. and he basically said that was his original plan the whole season, that J.R. would start at some point. Sure. After last nights game, he blamed it on the players... Chauncey (who he trusts 100%), Carmelo, and J.R. need better shot selection. It may be true, but you talk to the players about it behind closed doors. Oh, and if they had an actual offensive system, perhaps they would know which shots you wanted them taking and which are not part of the offense! Asshole! To steal a line from Juno "Silencio, Old Man!"
by KarlSucks on Mar 9, 2009 1:08 PM MDT reply actions
FIRE GEORGE KARL
by samiam on Mar 9, 2009 1:58 PM MDT reply actions
by Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 2:40 PM MDT reply actions
by Bee on Mar 9, 2009 2:42 PM MDT reply actions
I do the same thing when they are in their multi-minute scoring droughts. I just watch the score to see when they are back to scoring again and watch from there. For the past 5 games, there have been significant scoring droughts, and I skip over 2, 3 or more minutes. It sucks.
by Confusedfan on Mar 9, 2009 3:23 PM MDT reply actions
Bye Bye the season and Bye Bye George Karl!
by Anonymous on Mar 9, 2009 3:53 PM MDT reply actions
by Goldennugget on Mar 9, 2009 4:27 PM MDT reply actions
I'm fucking demoralized as all out doors. With the downfall of the Nuggets I would like to know why hasn't the Denver Post called out fat ass George Karl. Most other cities major news papers would have Karl ass on the front page as Humpty Dumpty taking the big fall. Not the Denver Post, know why? GK got that Houchman dude in his back pocket. This dude is a GK puppet who does the Denver Post a disservice in not reporting on the downward progression of the Nuggets.
Fire GK and don't buy the Denver Post.
by samiam on Mar 9, 2009 6:24 PM MDT reply actions
Now, can anyone still pretend to be offended from Phil Jackson calling the Lakers' loss to the Nuggets a "garbage game"?
And does anyone see why Greg Popavich would sit all three of his stars vs the Nuggets?
No less than 2 of the greatest coaches (with rings, mind you) have looked at our team and coach and said, "even in victory against us, you suck".
Also remember that a couple of years go, teams with lower seeds were purposely positioning themselves to play the Nuggets in the playoffs.
And still the Nuggets continue to justify every bit of disrespect they receive.
In terms of the Nuggets, George Karl = Jeff Bzdelic at best.
George Karl should be fired.
George Karl should be fired.
Fire George Karl.
by E on Mar 9, 2009 10:45 PM MDT reply actions
by the stranger on Mar 10, 2009 12:22 AM MDT reply actions
by Goldennugget on Mar 10, 2009 1:12 AM MDT reply actions
I have them on my Fantasy Team.
^_^
by Anonymous on Mar 10, 2009 8:02 AM MDT reply actions
1. Andrew. No offense, but you softened up on Karl with comments like "giving credit where it's due (paraphrased)" and with posts titled "Best. Start. Ever." This is not something that was hard to see coming. This slump was inevitable. Your positivity and loyalty as a fan are both remarkable and laughable for obvious reasons. I sometimes wonder if Karl's lawyer didn't get to you. Did you really believe in the original title of this site, or did you just want a catchy name to jump-start this blog? (see item 9)
2. The ONLY reason why this slump bothers me at this point of the season is because this is exactly what we will see in the playoffs if we make it, regardless of who we play or what place we have. This was already proven when teams tanked games for the chance to play the Nuggets a couple of seasons ago.
3. The sporadic nature of this team has never really changed under Karl, regardless of personnel. Najera, Camby, Miller, Blake, Watson, Evans, Patterson, Iverson, Johnson, etc. The results remain the same.
4. I love the way the Rockets lose their star only to go on a tear. And who is leading the charge? Oh yeah, that guy who Karl wanted no part of when this team was in desperate need of defense and perimeter scoring.
5. I must reiterate that this is NOT an "implosion" by Karl. Using Andrews "market" metaphor, I would call this "Market Corrections". Anyone saying they were fooled by this team's early success should speak solely for themselves.
6. Is anyone else sick and tired of reading these articles about how George Karl couldn't care less if he loses these days. "He's got much more to live for", "Anger solves nothing", blah blah frickin' blah. George Karl doesn't seem to realize that helping himself (staying calm through all matters) can be a detriment to others (players believe/realize that he doesn't care). EVERYONE has to sacrifice to be successful Karl, not just the players.
7. Karl's "respect the game" mantra has worn razor thin and has begun to slide across my inner wrists. "Respecting the game" is for Boy and Girls Clubs of America, not the NBA. This is a professional sporty involving BILLIONS of dollars. It's about "winning". The NBA does support fundamental basketball and love for the game... by keeping the WNBA alive and serving as job placement for stars in college and high school. Other than that, it's win, win, win. It's a PROFESSIONAL sport. A PROFESSION. Not a hobby that warms the heart.
8. George Karl on Stan Kroenke: "He's a businessman. . . . He doesn't like losing money. . . . His (goal) is probably making money, and I respect that.
9. As I am about to send this off, I realize that item number 1 on this list might come off as offensive to Andrew. I just want you to know that I really enjoy this site, but you really need you to remember why you stared it. I say officially change the name back to FIREGEORGEKARL.com and maybe it'll reach Karl and maybe he'll feel some type of fire under his ass. As a fan as devoted as you are, it's the least you could do at this point.
by E on Mar 10, 2009 9:05 AM MDT reply actions
On a side note: Does anyone think that D-Wade, LeBron or Kobe would let this happen to a team containing this much talent? Melo is good, but simply not good enough to carry a team through stretches like this.
by Anonymous on Mar 10, 2009 9:44 AM MDT reply actions
Welcome to the dark side everyone. I feel every bit of anger, even hate, and it's justified. When one man can jostle the faith of so many basketball loving fans you know he's done something either very right, or so very very very wrong.
E, you couldn't have hit the nail any more squarely on the head. Different players, different cities, different time, different philosophy, different fans,same coach, same losing trend.
The team has the right components to win. We've seen them play some very well executed games, some with Karl's help, most without, but we've seen it. We know Melo is capable of going nuts in the scoring department. Same for JR. Nene is a beast of a big man, and is to mentioned among the best. Chauncey is a born leader, and can be clutch when called upon. I actually think he should be groomed as a coach soon. He only has a couple of good years on him, but would be an asset to any team in the future. Then we have role players, who know their job is not to be the star. Birdman, Balkman, Petro, and most importantly K-Mart.
The vehicle is already assembled. Karl just can't figure out how to start it. It's too late in the season to change coaches I think. So we just need to ride it out with a stupid grin, just like last year and the year before etc.
by joelsopinion on Mar 10, 2009 9:49 AM MDT reply actions
by My name is Luke. on Mar 10, 2009 10:41 AM MDT reply actions
by Commish CH on Mar 10, 2009 11:43 AM MDT reply actions
That's a really good question. I am one of those who have been frustrated with the players as much as Karl, but even I am starting to think he may be the larger problem. One reason I like him, is because I enjoy listening to his bizarre philosophical meanderings. As a person, I just enjoy him and he's interesting. However, comments like a loss being "acceptable" baffle me. I understand what he means - they played tough against a hot rockets team - no shame there. But when do you come out and say a loss is ever really acceptable? I even understand that the season is a rollercoaster and it's difficult to maintain consistency over the entire course of the season. I guess what I'm wondering is, if not Karl, then who can come in here and change it around? Melo seems like too much of a knucklehead to ever listen to anyone. If the problem is discipline, who is going to be able to enforce it when Karl can't?
by grantarchy on Mar 10, 2009 12:01 PM MDT reply actions
There are numerous coaches that would enforce discipline. It isn't that Karl "can't" enforce it, it is more that he doesn't appear to even try. The suspension of melo illustrates to point. Anthony was stunned. To me, that means that the team isn't used to being disciplined. Someone who has been warned, or fined, or other lower levels of discipline isn't stunned when the next level of discipline is administered. They would have been told the next time something happens, these are the consequences. Stunned means that Anthony had no idea any consequences would be coming. He accepted the suspension and did not complain, which demonstrates he is willing to accept discipline, I just don't think it is ever consistently applied. The last instance of discipline imposed by Karl that I can remember was the playoff benching of K-Mart.
by KarlSucks on Mar 10, 2009 1:43 PM MDT reply actions
A coach owes it to a player to give an explaination if he chooses not to play that individual, especially if that player is an untapped source of raw talent. Unless it's like Coby Karl wondering why he doesn't get as many minutes playing behind Kobe Bryant. That's a no brainer.
This takes me back to a comment left back in February, where I stated that the players do not respect Karl. If they did, I'm sure Melo would have come out when asked. I'm JR would have said 'Coach doesn't think I'm ready to start yet, so we'll see how it goes.' I'm sure that when asked to scramble on Defense, and lock down the rebounds, his players would. But alas, a total lack of respect for the man "calling the shots." Can you really blame them?
It just sucks watching interviews of Tony Parker, and Tim Duncan talking about Popovitch like, well I don't know, A COACH! You hear Kobe talk about the rapport he has with Phil. You can see Kevin Garnett with more respect for Doc, than I've seen from most players. WHY? Because they proved that they can reward their players hard work with championships. Karl...not so much.
by joelsopinion on Mar 10, 2009 3:15 PM MDT reply actions
by grantarchy on Mar 10, 2009 5:11 PM MDT reply actions
Grantarchy - Please tell me you are lying to me, please. Do you honestly think Karl is an interesting person? Wow, if you define interesting as a parasite, with no dignity who cares nothing about his team, organization, or accountability then sure he is the most interesting person on Earth. I cringe when I listen to his interviews and philosophies, I do, I literally cringe. They are so off, in some wild "Karl's World" imaginary place I have no idea he even comes up with some of the stuff he says.
Joelsopinion - You are dead on with the lack of respect that Karl gets from his players. Nobody, except for maybe Eduardo Najera, respects Karl, and it is so incredibly obvious on the floor. More obvious than the saliva dripping out of Karl's mouth when he is slobbering all over his cough drops. I honestly have never seen so little respect towards a coach from his entire team, and it really show how they think of him as a person. I mean what kind of pathetic human being would continue to come up with the lame excuses time after time again when we lose? I absolutely loath the fact that Karl made the statement that last nights loss was "acceptable", I honestly cannot tell you how bad that gets under my skin. You should NEVER say something like that. Losses are cope-able, but never acceptable. The word "accept" means to "receive willingly". Did you hear that, "willingly". I just can't even begin to describe the amount of hate I am beginning to develop for Karl. He is pushing me over the edge and I cannot believe this ass hole hasn't got fired yet.
by Goldennugget on Mar 10, 2009 5:22 PM MDT reply actions
by Goldennugget on Mar 10, 2009 5:39 PM MDT reply actions
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/sports?ch=244098&cl=12418323&lang=en
Phil Jackson: 'We Got Beat Every Way You Possibly Could'
So if they lost a garbage game against the Nugs, and they got beat in every way against POR, does that mean that POR really is better than the Nuggets??
by emptytwo629 on Mar 10, 2009 5:40 PM MDT reply actions
we already have several ball hogs on the team- billips, melo, kleiza, actually they are all ball hogs in that if they get lucky and get the ball, they immediately shoot.
with melo it doesn't matter how many guys are hanging off him- he will try to impress everybody with how good he is and how he can make any shot anytime- trouble is he is often only makes 25% of them. melo taking 29 shots in a game is ludicrous. same complaint with jr smith- nugs went down hill when JR started getting more minutes.
Their selfishness throws the whole team off.
and of course karl can't coach.
players (smith and melo) don't listen to him, just want to play one-on-one/street ball all the time.
it won't work in the NBA..you've got to have some teamwork.
by Anonymous on Mar 10, 2009 6:16 PM MDT reply actions
PS...right now babcats tied at half with the spurs.
by emptytwo629 on Mar 10, 2009 8:00 PM MDT reply actions
I'm not.
"Do you honestly think Karl is an interesting person?"
I do.
"Wow, if you define interesting as a parasite, with no dignity who cares nothing about his team, organization, or accountability then sure he is the most interesting person on Earth."
That's a bit melodramatic, and I think untrue. Whatever else Karl may be, he has love for the game and his team. He wants to win, there's no doubt in my mind about that. Whether he is doing enough to make that happen, probably not.
" I cringe when I listen to his interviews and philosophies, I do, I literally cringe. They are so off, in some wild "Karl's World" imaginary place I have no idea he even comes up with some of the stuff he says."
I think some of the stuff he says is pretty funny. He's kind of a like a zen guru, and as a person he amuses me. I have heard he's pretty cool in real life too.
by grantarchy on Mar 10, 2009 8:04 PM MDT reply actions
Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation is to change this site back to the original name
FIRE GEORGE KARL
The two of you who are on drugs thinking that Anthony Carter is the answer, put down your pipes and get real. Didn't anyone ever tell you crack is bad for the brain.
by samiam on Mar 10, 2009 10:09 PM MDT reply actions
by John Simmons on Mar 11, 2009 12:04 AM MDT reply actions
Grantarchy - Yeah I too have heard Karl is a pretty cool guy, but that doesn't change anything about how I feel about him as a coach. You shouldn't let that factor dictate how you feel about him in general. He is f*cking us over as we speak! It is kind of the same thing with George W Bush. I bet he is a pretty cool guy, one you would want to have a beer with (similar to Karl), but he took a position that demanded responsibility/accountability and he failed the citizens he was responsibly for representing, much like Karl has done for us. The bottom line is this is business, if you can't handle the heat get out the kitchen.
John Simmons - That is cool you have kind stuck around with us and our team, we appreciate it. I don't know if you are ready for the mass apathy in your life at this point in time after going through what you already have in Detroit though are you? Just kidding. I have a feeling both Denver and Detroit are going to be fine once they weather these storms they are going through this year. Obviously Detroit will dispense of Iverson (problem solved) and Denver hopefully of Karl and then things we will defiantly be heading in the right direction.
by Goldennugget on Mar 11, 2009 3:35 AM MDT reply actions
I still maintain that it's going to be difficult for anyone to come in here and manage these guys from a personality standpoint, but we certainly need someone to try harder.
by grantarchy on Mar 11, 2009 8:51 AM MDT reply actions
by joelsopinion on Mar 11, 2009 10:27 AM MDT reply actions
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