Memo to NBA: George Karl Voted Fifth in Coach of the Year is a Travesty

George Karl was snubbed as the 2008-09 Coach of the Year on Monday, the award instead going to Mike Brown.

Nothing against Brown, but Karl's season was better for a few reasons, including the fact that Brown called himself a "sit-down" coach when talking about Lebron James' 55 point game earlier this season.

"Sometimes you have to just sit back and watch," said Brown. Even after learning he won the award Brown said, "I don't feel like a motivator."

Karl was fifth overall in voting behind Brown of the Cavs, Rick Adelman (Rockets), Stan Van Gundy (Magic), and Nate McMillan (Trailblazers).

Brown's team had the best record in the league, and Van Gundy's Magic finished with five more wins than the Nuggets.

But, both teams play in the East, and record doesn't necessarily mean you should be coach of the year as Phil Jackson (Lakers) and Doc Rivers (Celtics), who's records are better, are not on the list.

Adelman deserves some accolades as the Rockets finished strong with out McGrady, but McMillan's Blazers lost the northwest division to the Nuggets.

George Karl, on the other hand has dealt with a tougher endeavor than Brown, or any coach in the NBA this season.

Much of the challenge this year for Karl, his fifth with the Nuggets, has been with personell changes, some more risky than others.

Karl, along with Mark Warkentien the Nuggets GM, brought in Chris Andersen, Dahntay Jones off of waivers, and traded for Renaldo Balkman before the season started. All three players were question marks going into the off season, and any or all could have failed miserably making Karl and Co. look silly if not senseless.

Instead, all have made impacts on this team, some larger than others.

Jones started almost all the regular season games due to his solid defensive play, Andersen was second in the league in blocks, and Balkman adds height and heart.

The unsung three made Karl and Warkentein look smart.

In addition to those moves, the Nuggets pulled the blockbuster trade of the NBA season, getting Chauncey Billups in return for Allen Iverson.

The point guard is the most important player on the court, and even though Iverson will be a first-ballot hall of famer when he is finished playing, his ball-hogging is not befitting of a point, but more a shooting guard.

Chauncey Billups though is the consummate point guard, ready to pass first, and as Marc Jackson puts it, he is the Nuggets "facilitator."

Chauncey and Karl have jelled since day one, as the veteran point is an accomplished leader-by-example, helping the Nuggets go from horrible in defense last year to middle of the pack this year.

Billups has embraced Karl and his coaching style, getting on teammates when he needs to, while pushing them to play the best all-around game they can.

After the biggest trade of the year, Karl and Warkentien look like geniuses.

Especially Karl, who has to work with the players on a daily basis. Billups could have come in and disregarded Karl as a coach, shrugging off his guidance as Iverson did, but instead the two have meshed well.

Overall, Karl had to deal with many personnel changes and the Nuggets of 2008-09 have the best chemistry of any Denver team I have ever witnessed. Anytime someone falls down, two or three teammates are there to pick him up. Everyone gives fives during free throws, and Billups calls impromptu team huddles during games at times.

Karl too kept his promise about the Nuggets committing to defense before the season began. Last year Denver gave up over 107 points per game, this year, just over 100 per.

Even though the Nuggets are not considered one of the elite teams on the defensive end, seven points per game is a huge turnaround in one season.

Speaking of turnarounds, Karl led Denver from the eighth spot and making it in the playoffs in the final game last season, to the second seed in the west, and tying the Nuggets NBA franchise record in wins at 54.

Sure, this is the fifth straight time Karl has taken Denver to the playoffs, but only the first time the Nuggets have gotten to play in the Mile High home court advantage. No longer does Denver have to play one of the elite teams in the west in the first round, this year, they are one.

All that on top of losing two assistant coaches, Dug Moe moved to the front office, and Scott Brooks went to the Thunder as a head coach, making Karl's job that more impressive.

All in all, George Karl should have won Coach of the Year, but was subject to the dim spotlight that Denver provides.

Matt Holliday had an MVP season, no award. Troy Tulowitzki a Rookie of the Year type season, no award. Chauncey Billups comes in and with Karl to turn the Nuggets into a great team, no MVP or Coach of the Year awards.

One day, some time soon I hope, the national media will wake up to Denver, and all the great teams, players, and coaches we have to offer.