The Kings make the Knicks look like the NBA’s model franchise these days.
Since Saturday, there have been reports the team was considering firing coach George Karl. Early on Tuesday, ESPN reported Karl would be gone following Wednesday night’s first-half finale against the 76ers, but later in the day, word spread Kings brass had a change of heart, and Karl wasn’t going anywhere.
ESPN reported the 180-degree turnaround came following a meeting between Karl and general manager Vlade Divac, in which Karl said he would make requested changes to his defensive schemes and practice policies.
“George is our coach and we’re collectively working through our issues,” Divac said in a statement.
Sources told ESPN that owner Vivek Ranadive left the decision up to Divac. The owner has twice hired a coach — first Mike Malone, later Karl — before hiring a GM. Divac was hired after Karl took over last February.
The marriage between Karl and star player DeMarcus Cousins has been doomed since Karl was forced on Boogie last season and only worsened when the coach tried to convince ownership to trade the power forward this offseason.
The Kings (21-31) have lost nine of 10, with a 128-119 loss to the Nets on Friday night serving as what was thought to be the final straw for Karl. The dysfunction around the team got so bad, mercurial point guard Rajon Rondo became the voice of the reason. Reportedly only Rondo, Omri Casspi and Seth Curry showed up to the team’s shootaround before Monday night’s 120-100 loss to the Cavaliers.
“With optional shootarounds it’s tough. … When three or four guys show up for shootaround this morning, how can you expect to win?” Rondo told the Sacramento Bee, before some Kings teammates disputed his accounting.
Karl’s assistant Corliss Williamson was supposed to take over as interim coach when the ax fell, but for the time being, it has yet to drop — and Karl may yet last the season.