http://www.cbssports.com/nba/blog/eye-on-basketball/22362643/report-nuggets-part-ways-with-george-karl
Nuggets part ways with George Karl
By Royce Young | NBA writer
June 6, 2013 11:19 am ET
The Denver Nuggets and coach George Karl have parted ways, the team announced Thursday.
Karl, who won Coach of the Year this season, was reportedly pushing for a contract extension but ownership wasn't prepared to give him one. With general manager Masai Ujiri -- who won Executive of the Year this season -- leaving the Nuggets for the Raptors recently, Karl lost one of his biggest supporters.
Karl was headed for the final year of his contract and was reportedly agitated by the contract negotiations along with Ujiri leaving the team. The Nuggets decided to pull the plug early on Karl rather than deal with tensions throughout the season. And there's also the fact the Nuggets experienced yet another disappointing first round playoff exit.
The Nuggets went 57-25 this season, their best mark in nine seasons under Karl.
Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried tweeted, "So we lost a GM now a coach what's next!?"
There will certainly be potential suitors for Karl if he chooses to dive back into coaching right away. Per Ken Berger of CBSSports.com, the most attractive destination for Karl is the Clippers, who have a ready made roster built to contend right away. Plus Karl's high-paced style could certainly fit Lob City.
Karl, 62, has been with the Nuggets since 2005 and has compiled a career coaching record of 1,131-756.
Since joining the team, the Nuggets have never finished lower than second in the Northwest Dvision, and have made the playoffs all nine seasons. However, Karl and the Nuggets only progressed past the first round once, with Carmelo Anthony in 2009 when they lost in the Western Conference finals.
Most NBA coaching wins |
COACH | RECORD |
1. Don Nelson | 1335-1063 (.557) |
2. Lenny Wilkens | 1332-1155 (.536) |
3. Jerry Sloan | 1221-803 (.603) |
4. Pat Riley | 1210-694 (.636) |
5. Phil Jackson | 1155-485 (.704) |
6. George Karl | 1131-756 (.599) |
7. Larry Brown | 1098-904 (.548) |
8. Rick Adelman | 1002-707 (.586) |
9. Bill Fitch | 944-1106 (.460) |
10. Red Auerbach | 938-479 (.662) |