NBA: George Karl Leads List of Coaches on the Hot Seat

All the coaching vacancies are now officially occupied for the beginning of the 2008-2009 season, which can only mean one thing: some coaches are going to be on the hot seat.

In the offseason for the teams eliminated from the playoffs, Flip Saunders, Sam Vincent, Isiah Thomas, Avery Johnson, and Larry Krystkowiak all found themselves reading the classifieds in the newspaper. This group of coaches won and had success or just could not cut it.

There were other coaching changes, but these are the coaches who are currently waiting for the coaches in the 08-09 season to get the boot.

The current coaches that should feel the pressure before they get fired are a variety of coaches. Winning or losing will cause a coach to get fired. Some need to go to the finals and some need to show a large improvement from the previous season.

Here are the coaches I feel should feel the pressure right now:

George Karl (Nuggets) - Despite having one of the highest pay rolls and having two dynamic scorers in Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets barely made the playoffs and was embarrassed by the Lakers in the first round.

The players did not show any signs of caring enough to play defense and sometimes just looked lost on the court. I was surprised to see Karl still coaching, but this will be his last chance. If the Nuggets do not show any promise early, expect him to be fired.

Lawrence Frank (Nets) - Many expected Frank to be out after a poor performance last season. After getting a full year with Devin Harris in the lineup, Frank will be given another shot.

He is really not a bad coach, but the Nets are looking to win now with Carter and Jefferson aging. If they do not show any strides, the franchise would have to look at trading Carter and Jefferson, while firing Frank, and look to rebuild every thing.

Avery Johnson coached Devin Harris and I would not be surprised, if he replaces Frank sometime next season.

Mike Woodson (Hawks) - The Hawks some how taking the Celtics to a game seven earned Woodson a two year extension. He deserves it because of this, but if the team does not show any growth expect him to get fired.

They are giving him another chance and with the extremely talented athletes he has, the organization expects them to win.

Mike Brown (Cavaliers) - He got them to a finals, but as seen with Avery Johnson, that does not matter.

Having arguably the best player in the NBA should have the Cavaliers on top. Brown has no offense really, as he just has LeBron be the coach, but defensively, as he did with the Spurs and Pacers, he has made this team a threat.

The Cavaliers need a coach to control the offense and if the Cavaliers do not get to the finals, I expect Brown to be fired. LeBron's contract is ending and the organization is under pressure to win it all now.

Terry Porter (Suns) - I know he was just hired, but if the Suns do not win the championship next year the Suns would have to be under pressure to just tear everything apart and rebuild.

With Grant Hill, Shaq, and Nash getting to the end of their careers, GM Steve Kerr is doing all he can to win it all next year.

Coach Porter was a little surprise since he did not have great success as a head coach previously, but if he can get the Suns a championship banner, not only would Porter be gone, but so could Kerr with the rest of the older players.

Mike Iavaroni (Grizzlies) - He was brought into Memphis to run an exciting system like Mike D'Antoni did, as he used to be an assistant under him, but with Darko Milicic as your center that is pretty tough.

The team is full of guards and is looking to make big off season moves. If the Grizzlies do not show an improvement expect him to be shown the door.

Sam Mitchell (Raptors) - The Raptors took a step down last season after winning the Atlantic Division the previous season. The organization expects the Raptors to get back on top, but need some players to help out Chris Bosh. If the Raptors do not win a playoff series or two, expect Mitchell to be on the move.

Don Nelson (Warriors) - After an exciting upset over the Mavericks two seasons ago in the playoffs, Nellie looked like he could be back on top. The Warriors just missed the playoffs in the tough Western Conference, but really had no chance of winning a title.

They do not play defense as their system is based on running and playing offense. If the Warriors do not show that they can be a threat in the Western Conference, look for them to get rid of Nellie and rebuild.

Eddie Jordan (Wizards) - Did a brilliant job last year by getting the Wizards in the playoffs despite the injuries, but with three All-Stars in Gilbert Arenas (if he returns), Caron Butler, and Antwaan Jameson, the Wizards have to get at least two rounds into the playoffs. If not, Jordan would be let go.

D'Antoni could not get passed the Spurs and Jordan cannot get past the Cavs. He has to overcome this.

More coaches surprisingly could be let go, but these are the ones I feel right now should feel the heat. Jerry Sloan may have one more season left in him, so he might be out after next season, but he has no reason to feel he is on the hot seat.

Next season is going to be really competitive and coaches take the fall for their teams' results.