GM: Sacramento Kings Coach George Karl Will Remain With Team
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — After days of rumors pointing otherwise, the Sacramento Kings front office has decided head coach George Karl will remain with the team.
Rumors swirled during a recent road trip after Friday's loss that Karl was about to be fired. On Monday, it appeared to be a question of when it would happen rather than if it would happen.
Tuesday's announcement is raising more questions about the team's front office.
General Manager Vlade Divac released a statement on Tuesday saying, "George is our coach and were collectively working through our issues."
In an interview with KHTK's Grant Napear, Divac had a message for fans—they deserve better.
"We will ask players to put up effort, we believe in them we have a good team and they have talent, they have to show up like they did two weeks ago. They played well, beat some good teams," he said. "We have to be focused and do what we have to do—what we can do best is play basketball."
KHTK's Jason Ross says the issue seems to be communication and competing interests.
"Not full clarity of what management wants compared to a superstar coach with a big ego, a superstar player with a big ego maybe not entirely on the same page," he said.
Karl has won more than 1,000 games in his career and has the fifth most wins all-time. Since taking the job last February, wins have been few, but more than previous tenures. This season, the team is on pace for its first 30-win season since the 2007-08 season.
The relationship between Karl and star player DeMarcus Cousins has been strained at best, and it seems like other players aren't giving their full effort, especially on defense. The team has given up more than 120 points in its last three games and more than 100 points in its last nine. It's averaging allowing nearly 110 points per game.
The pressure is on the team and management as the Golden 1 Center opens in Downtown Sacramento next season, replacing Sleep Train Arena.
Now with Karl staying, the question turns to whether the players will start showing more effort on the court and in practice.
