Kings' Karl stays positive, on same page as GM
PHILADELPHIA — Sacramento Kings coach George Karl said Wednesday he has a positive outlook after meeting with team general manager Vlade Divac amid a losing streak and speculation about his job.
Karl said before the Kings-76ers game in Philadelphia that he and Divac are on the same page after Tuesday’s meeting.
“I’ve always felt good about Vlade. I don’t think Vlade and I have a disconnect other than we want to win more games than we’re winning right now,” Karl said. “And that’s fine with me. Everyone should want to win more games.”
Sacramento is 21-31 — five games behind Houston for the eighth and final postseason spot in the Western Conference — and has lost eight of its last 10 games. After the game against Philadelphia, Karl said the team would go home for the All-Star break to “regroup and recuperate.”
Said Divac in a statement: “He is our coach and we’re collectively working through our issues.”
Karl declined to offer more specifics about their meeting.
Kings star DeMarcus Cousins and Karl have struggled to work together. The All-Star center has not hid his emotions or frustrations.
Karl says he thinks the team’s current funk is temporary.
Meanwhile, he says he won’t be bothered by the criticism and speculation that comes with losing.
“When you’re younger, you’re always a little more into what people are saying and what people think of you,” said the 64-year-old Karl, who’s coaching his sixth NBA team after stints in Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle, Milwaukee and Denver.
“As you get older, I think you learn you have no control over that. You can do your job perfectly in this league and if you don’t fulfill expectations, you’re going to be criticized,” he said.
Last year, Karl became the Kings’ third coach in one season. He took over following the 2015 All-Star break, succeeding Tyrone Corbin. Corbin had been promoted from top assistant to replace the fired Michael Malone. Karl coached Sacramento to an 11-19 record for the rest of the season.
The Kings, who are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, haven’t made the playoffs in 10 years.
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