Thought Experiment, Do you Keep George Karl If He Makes the Playoffs?

[Bricklayer]

We are 23-31. The next 9 games are brutal, although the Memphis and Dallas games don't look as bad as they once did. Then the final 19 games are the easiest stretch of the season for us, on paper (which of course has meant nothing since we'd be +.500 this year if we'd just won the games we were supposed to).

We played much better yesterday, on defense in particular. What if that were to continue? Let's say the defense holds, we pick up momentum, come screaming down the final month of the season, go 18-10 from here on out, and sneak into #8.

Can George Karl save his job at this point?

 

[VF21]

Only if we do it because of George Karl (at least in part) and not in spite of him.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Don't you kind of have to keep him if we make the POs?

Making the POs at this point would suggest a huge turnaround, both in terms of wins and buy-in from the players. It would also suggest that Karl has altered his system to utilise his players better.

I'm not a fan of Karl but it would be pretty crazy to fire him in the off-season if he brings us to the playoffs, given the position we find ourselves in now.

 

[funkykingston]

It would require a HUGE rally down the stretch. How do you fire the guy if he's able to pull that off?

 

[HighFlyingMonkey]

No.

 

[206Fan]

I don't think Karl and this team has what it takes to win out. We need to go 22-6 to secure a playoff spot imo. I just don't see that happening. Sure you can say 18-10 gets us in the playoffs, but that's begging Rockets to finish 12-14, Blazers 12-15, and the Jazz 13-15.

I thought our defense was better yesterday, but I still saw a lot of bad habits. Rondo gambled a ton(lucky gambles), and there was a lot of help D down low that resulted in the easiest baskets ever for Lauvergne.
Here's one major thing I noticed too. Karl put Ben on the opposing ball handlers, and he doesn't switch nearly as much as Rondo does.... Rondo has a tendency to play lazy defense and slack on his man. It might do us better for him to guard the off-ball man while having Ben prevent penetration. It's also not as big of a mismatch if they do get the switch. This is something we should be looking at going forward...

I think it'll take a miracle for the Kings to get into the playoffs. However, if they do, it means we're playing good basketball. It should mean we're playing good D too. If Karl brings this team to the playoffs, I think he should get another shot next year. I just don't see it likely at all that we even make the playoffs.

 

[Mr. S£im Citrus]

Pass. If I were the guy writing the checks, the only thing that Karl could do to keep his job is beat Golden State.

 

[andjel]

my option was not there.
He can keep his job only if Divac does not find someone else. Result does not matter, but being able to find a better coach does.

 

[LPKingsFan]

my option was not there.
He can keep his job only if Divac does not find someone else. Result does not matter, but being able to find a better coach does.

How, exactly, does that work? Vlade goes around and interviews other coaches with Karl still officially in place? Do you see any coach agreeing to interview in such a situation?

 

[roasthawg]

I say yes. I think the likelihood of rondo resigning increases a lot if Karl were to stay and we made the playoffs. Rondo likes Karl's offense and if we made the playoffs then resigning him makes some sense.

That said, I don't believe we're coming close to making the playoffs unfortunately. Hope I'm surprised but I doubt it.

 

[parker]

I don't think Karl and this team has what it takes to win out. We need to go 22-6 to secure a playoff spot imo. I just don't see that happening. Sure you can say 18-10 gets us in the playoffs, but that's begging Rockets to finish 12-14, Blazers 12-15, and the Jazz 13-15.

I thought our defense was better yesterday, but I still saw a lot of bad habits. Rondo gambled a ton(lucky gambles), and there was a lot of help D down low that resulted in the easiest baskets ever for Lauvergne.
Here's one major thing I noticed too. Karl put Ben on the opposing ball handlers, and he doesn't switch nearly as much as Rondo does.... Rondo has a tendency to play lazy defense and slack on his man. It might do us better for him to guard the off-ball man while having Ben prevent penetration. It's also not as big of a mismatch if they do get the switch. This is something we should be looking at going forward...

I think it'll take a miracle for the Kings to get into the playoffs. However, if they do, it means we're playing good basketball. It should mean we're playing good D too. If Karl brings this team to the playoffs, I think he should get another shot next year. I just don't see it likely at all that we even make the playoffs.

While I agree it's unlikely the Kings make the playoffs, I am not sure your #s are right for the other teams. The Rockets and jazz are at. 500. If they continue to play. 500 ball and the kings play 8 games over. 500, they will be tied. If the kings play 8 games over .500, they may own the tiebreaker over both teams.

In a two way tie with the jazz, I'm fairly sure that the kings win. Not sure about the rockets (assuming they beat them in the last game of the season).

 

[ParniValjak]

I wouldn't keep him regardless. Even if we make the play offs this season has been filled with drama and it practically has been on life support since the 1-7 start. Karl has been stubborn and in a large part a cause of the drama. Even changes that we saw in the game last night have been forced upon him. It shouldn't take 50 games for a coach to adjust. Hell for a HOF coach it shouldn't have even come to this at the start of the season. Once upon a time Karl coached to his roster. He has now become a "system" coach which means he pushes his system regardless if the roster fits it and would rather trade franchise player for lesser talent that fits his system than build a system around the franchise player.

Once upon a time Karl used to be a defensive minded coach. He is now all about pace and offense which is evident from his disastrous defensive schemes and push for pace even with a domintnt unguardable low post presence.

I think Karl doesn't have the energy nor the flexibility to be a great coach in this league any more. This team needs an energetic coach who will preach defense and coach to the roster that he has. Someone who is more concerned about the feel if the game and not statistic. For as long as Cousins is on this team we should be a half court team that looks to take advantage on the break if its there.

I am sure there are coaches out there who fit that bill and would do a better job with this team than Karl has done. With the types of characters on this team you need a coach with not BS, a straigh up shooter who the players will trust and respect. Someone who they can relate to. Malone bonded with the players and that was evident even yesterday before the tip off. I am not saying our coach needs to be Mike Malone but someone who has the sort of personal characteristics that Malone has. A no nonsense, straight up coach who is real with the players, that preaches defense, builds culture and trust and coaches to his roster. Karl is not it....not at this stage of his career.

 

[John Galt]

My option: up to Cuz. I think if Cuz really wanted GK after a big late season rally, I'd keep him. Otherwise nah - too much bad blood to overcome.

 

[Siranthony]

We are 23-31. The next 9 games are brutal, although the Memphis and Dallas games don't look as bad as they once did. Then the final 19 games are the easiest stretch of the season for us, on paper (which of course has meant nothing since we'd be +.500 this year if we'd just won the games we were supposed to).

We played much better yesterday, on defense in particular. What if that were to continue? Let's say the defense holds, we pick up momentum, come screaming down the final month of the season, go 18-10 from here on out, and sneak into #8.

Can George Karl save his job at this point?

If we can win enough to make the playoffs then sure. Even if we come close and miss, sure. That would be an achievement.

My other question is, how long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery? Would Karl be ready for next year?

 

[Npliam]

How would you possibly fire the coach that got you into the playoffs for the first time on like 10 years (I don't actually know how long it has been and I don't really care to look it up). Who do you get to come coach? If I am a young coach and have options I don't go to the organization that fired a hall of fame coach after he lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in forever.

All that said....it isn't going to happen.

 

[VF21]

My other question is, how long does it take to recover from knee replacement surgery? Would Karl be ready for next year?

Do you mean Coach K? If not, can you provide a link to a story about George Karl and knee replacement surgery?

 

[Bricklayer]

How would you possibly fire the coach that got you into the playoffs for the first time on like 10 years (I don't actually know how long it has been and I don't really care to look it up). Who do you get to come coach? If I am a young coach and have options I don't go to the organization that fired a hall of fame coach after he lead the team to the playoffs for the first time in forever.

All that said....it isn't going to happen.

 

[Sluggah]

I dislike the guy. But would concede if they pulled this off.

 

[gunks]

Eh....

Getting this guy to not be a stubborn butthead and play to the obvious strengths of the roster has been like pulling teeth.

But if he sticks it out with the style changes (its been one game!) and we scrap our way into the playoffs, it's hard to fire the guy.

 

[Siranthony]

Do you mean Coach K? If not, can you provide a link to a story about George Karl and knee replacement surgery

Do you mean Coach K? If not, can you provide a link to a story about George Karl and knee replacement surgery?

this HTML class. Value is http://hoopshype.com

It was mentioned here in Kings rumors. It was tweeted about a couple of times. It makes sense because it is obvious Karl can't stay on his feet for long.

It is in the rumors so maybe I shouldn't be talking about it. I apoligize if the information is wrong.

 

[VF21]

this HTML class. Value is http://hoopshype.com

It was mentioned here in Kings rumors. It was tweeted about a couple of times. It makes sense because it is obvious Karl can't stay on his feet for long. I have noticed this since he was hired.

Whoa. Okay.

Sorry, but I think I'll wait for a little better source than being mentioned in Hoopshype rumors and "tweeted about a couple of times."

EDIT: My bad. George Karl does need a knee replaced and apparently talked about it on Grant's show. Sorry, Siranthony.

 

[Siranthony]

Whoa. Okay.

Sorry, but I think I'll wait for a little better source than being mentioned in Hoopshype rumors and "tweeted about a couple of times."

Ya I realize made a mistake. I can't read that stuff.

 

[kupman]

I would keep him.

1. Because despite the terrible highs and lows of the season it represents significant progress.

2. The coaching carousel really needs to stop. It has been ridiculous.

3. This franchise is such a joke around the league right now I am not confident that we can attract a better coach than Karl. And yes, we could do much worse.

 

[iowamcnabb]

I would keep him.

1. Because despite the terrible highs and lows of the season it represents significant progress.

2. The coaching carousel really needs to stop. It has been ridiculous.

3. This franchise is such a joke around the league right now I am not confident that we can attract a better coach than Karl. And yes, we could do much worse.

Agreed, plus...
When we fired Malone/ hired Karl and signed veterans we went all in on making the playoffs now. Probably got to give him one more year to turn us around.

 

[Npliam]

I thought you might go there......how is that working out in new orleans?

 

[Bricklayer]

I thought you might go there......how is that working out in new orleans?

Hey, didn't say it was a good idea, just that that's how its done.

 

[Dbeltz24]

I'd go the different approach. Depends on which way the GM decides to construct the team. Boogie is the most versatile big men in the league when it comes to being able to drive from the 3 point line, his ability to shoot deep and his low post game. He can play the 5 in Karl's system.

If we can get a stretch 4, a reliable shooting guard, and a 3 and D SF, then keep Karl.

If Vlade and the new GM want DMC at the 4 and WCS at the 5, I say fire Karl. Play thru DMC at the block, keep Rondo at the point. Get a defensive 2 like Tony Allen, and a 3 and D SF. Bring in a Defensive minded coach and have him hire an offensive minded AC.

And all of this is regardless of making the playoffs or not, we aren't going to be an over .500 team. So I'd still consider it a waste.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I think a key issue would have to be how do our big 3 feel about Karl coming back?

 

[Dbeltz24]

I think a key issue would have to be how do our big 3 feel about Karl coming back?

Pretty sure DMC wants him gone.

Have no idea what Gay and Rondo want.

If the team's able to get a Strecth 4, I think DMC would be fine with Karl staying. DMC would no longer be on the perimeter in that system. And that is what DMC issue with Karl is.

 

[kingsboi]

having a thread like this is too premature, the same exact thing happened when everyone got excite about the playoffs, so there was a playoff thread created and we see how that's working out. It's a forum, we need stuff to talk about so I'll bite. Even if the Kings get in the playoffs, and they won't IMO, but if they somehow do...Karl is still a goner I feel. You can't have a team playing 40+ games and then decide at the all-star break, hey...our pace basketball is fun and exciting but it's not getting wins that you desperately need considering how close the games between 3 teams were. You go on a extended losing streak and now you have dug yourself in a hole that might be too steep to climb out of considering the competition isn't letting off the gas pedal. I don't want Karl here any longer than he has to be, the guy is a stationary coach over there just sitting in his chair and not showing any emotion of any sort and allows his assistants to just coach the team, in that case, be gone.