Denver's George Karl: The Most Refreshing Coach in the NBA

NBA coaches have become so predictable.

We hear it all the time. Postgame commentary that is so programmed and prepackaged that one could practically recite it verbatim even as the coach is speaking.

Interviews littered with clichés and understatement. Dialogue marred by deflection and avoidance.

It’s gotten to the point now where this overly diplomatic rhetoric has even poisoned the line of questioning itself, which has become just as spineless as the answers. It’s like a monotonous and predictable dance routine.

Queue the pillowy elevator music. Interviewer asks question and takes the lead.

Coach responds in an equally uninteresting fashion, revealing little to no actual information about his team. Repeat steps one through three. Queue applause.

Enter George Karl. A breath of fresh air in a polluted network of uninspiring drivel.

In his younger days, Karl was a lightning rod. A real hot-head, brimming with intensity. An endless source of controversy and adversity. He held no punches and at times, this set the scene for tumultuous relationships with fans and players alike.

But this is exactly how he was as a player, and that was the only way he knew how to be. Karl was a real tough guy when he played in the ABA, and this toughness certainly carried over to his coaching style.

You can just take one look at coach Karl's scarred lip, where he was bitten by a dog when he was a kid, and understand that he has been bred with ferocity.

The question has never been about Karl's ability to coach. The man has clearly proven that. He is one of only 10 coaches in NBA history with 900 wins and ranks 12th all-time in playoff victories with 72.

As a coach in Seattle, his Sonics averaged 59 wins per year and he lead them to 357 total wins, which was second to only the Michael Jordan led Bulls during that period.

In his five seasons as Milwaukee's head coach, he led the Bucks to four playoff berths. That franchise has only returned to the playoffs once since Karl was fired after the 2003 season.

Since taking over the Nuggets in 2005, the Nuggets have made the playoffs every year, with their best season coming last year when the Nuggets lost to the eventual champion Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

Like I said, his ability to coach has never been in question.

The controversy surrounding Karl has always been more about his brutal honesty and his no-holds-barred attitude.

Whether it's taking shots at a former player:

"We have contested-shot charts, bad-shot charts, and cheap defensive possessions," Karl said. "I would say that when A.I. was here, we had most games in the teens of contested, tough shots, sometimes in the 20's. And I don't think we've had a double-digit one since (Billups has) been here."

Or vocalizing his desire for one of his players to be traded:

“I said it on my radio show this morning and I'll say it again: the one guy I hope is traded soon is Vo, for him and for us.”

Or just giving the media fodder for quote of the year candidates:

When asked about the petition www.bringbackbirdman.com, Karl responded: "It's better than firegeorgekarl.com, I know that."

Karl is nothing if he is not candid. Though his age and experience have certainly mellowed him significantly, he has never been shy to speak his version of the truth and he has never held any pretenses.

As I listened to him on a local radio program the other day, he was asked about whether he felt his team demonstrated any complacency in the preseason based on their performance last year.

Ninety percent of the coaches in the league would have diverted this question with a dreaded "we will just take it one game at a time" references or a lame "the other team wanted it more than we did" quotes.

But not Karl. He took the question head on and quite simply called out his team for showing the kind of complacency that would not lead to the same success they enjoyed last year.

I grinned ear to ear when I heard this because I know that his players will respond to his challenge.

Karl has been on record as saying, "Political correctness is killing this league. I don't think I get much credit for being candid. I don't see anyone else writing, 'What a refreshing personality George Karl is. We need more of them.' "

Well George, you can count on me to appreciate your candor and sincerity. I, for one do think you are a refreshing change, and I couldn't be happier to have you as the coach of the Denver Nuggets.