HoopsHype.com Columns

Word games become serious
by Tim O'Sullivan / March 16, 2002

George Karl, the Milwaukee Bucks head coach, began the sparring in the summer of 1999 when he accused the Magic of being "disloyal" to their players as Orlando pursued Tim Duncan and Grant Hill. Doc Rivers, Orlando's head coach, eventually retaliated before last year's Bucks-Magic playoff series by saying "I've seen George's first-round playoff history, and we kind of like his first-round mishaps." After noting that the Magic otherwise would have had to play Miami, Karl responded by saying "Pat Riley has lost three of four in the first round. I guess [Rivers has] got to study history a little more."

During that playoff series, the barbs continued. Rivers wanted an "eye for an eye" after a Bucks flagrant foul. The coaches took turns dissing the other's city. Even Magic point guard Darrell Armstrong got involved saying "We need to be right in their faces. We might have to go out and eat some onions."

That was all fun and games and added spice to what might have otherwise been an overlooked first-round series. But now Karl has gone too far. He has crossed the line with his latest comments about Rivers in the April issue of Esquire magazine. Karl was critical of how Rivers became an NBA head coach without any coaching experience.

"Doc's been anointed," Karl told Esquire. "And that's OK. I understand that that happens, but it's not necessarily right. Doc does a great job -- and now there's gonna be four or five more anointments of the young Afro-American coach. Which is fine - because I think they have been screwed, deep down inside. But I have a great young assistant (white) who can't even get an interview."

Karl has always been outspoken, a maverick, an original character among a sea of coaching clones. His opinionated views have earned him both respect and contempt, but this latest comment is over the top. Karl is talking out of both sides of his mouth. Does he really think that African-Americans have been "screwed" in terms of coaching opportunities, or is he more concerned with the "But" and his white assistant coach? The answer, of course, is that he is more concerned with the "But." Rivers, not surprisingly, was chagrined by the comments.

"I never get into the racial part of anything, but let me just say that George didn't complain when Larry Bird came in without any coaching experience and got a job," Rivers told The New York Times. "He only complained when I came along and did well. I guess Larry Bird paid some kind of dues I don't know about as a coach."

"The bottom line is that I don't think George has an opinion that anyone should listen to on this subject. I don't think he's been anointed as the coach's spokesperson," Rivers continued. "He's just frustrated for his assistant coach. And he blames me for doing a good job. How silly is that. He's a solid coach, give him credit for that. But he thinks he's more than he really is."

Karl is wrong, and dangerously so, for two reasons. First, even though Rivers had no coaching experience before he was hired by Orlando on June 7, 1999, he was still qualified for the job. Rivers earned the reputation of being a cerebral point guard and a leader of men during his 13 NBA seasons, two of the most important qualities for a coach. He played for three of the best coaches in this era, Pat Riley, Larry Brown and Mike Fratello. Not to mention the three years he spent with Rick Majerus while playing for Marquette (incidentally, it was Majerus who gave Rivers the nickname "Doc" after Rivers showed up at a summer basketball camp wearing a Dr. J T-shirt). 10 of Rivers' 13 years in the league his team made it to the playoffs. During Rivers stint as an NBA analyst for Turner
Broadcasting his knowledge of the game and his ability to express it in clear terms was obvious.

Considering all that history, Orlando GM John Gabriel was wise to hire Rivers. And considering what has happened since, Gabriel looks like a genius. Rivers won Coach of the Year honors in 1999-00 after guiding his
undermanned Magic to a 41-41 record and missing the playoffs by just one game. It was Karl's Milwaukee Bucks who earned the final playoff spot. In 00-01 Rivers and the Magic took the next step and qualified for the
playoffs, despite the season-long absence of Grant Hill, before losing in the first round to, that's right, the Bucks. Rivers has also been instrumental in helping Tracy McGrady develop into one of the association's brightest stars.

In light of these facts, Karl's criticism of Rivers' head coaching qualifications is flat out wrong. But there is a more meaningful and perilous side to Karl's mistake, and he knows it. Karl said it himself, African-Americans have been "screwed." They've been getting screwed in this country for hundreds of years, and they've really been getting screwed when it comes to coaching any sport at any level. Karl is the highest paid coach in any sport, a success story, a man with a national platform from which to speak. For him to insinuate that there should be fewer African-American coaches, or that Rivers' success will create an African-American coaching fad is irresponsible, inflammatory and ignorant.

Luckily, the NBA is headed in the other direction, which is one of the motivations behind Karl's comments. Former players, most of them African-American, are being given a chance, and that is a good thing. After years of being frozen out of the coaching ranks, African-American deserve every break. But the truth is most of these new coaches have earned their chances by paying their dues. Rivers shortcut was the road less traveled.

New Jersey head coach Byron Scott spent years as an assistant coach, as did Seattle head man Nate McMillan and Portland's Maurice Cheeks. Chicago's new head coach Bill Cartwright started as a scout for crying out loud. For Karl to propose that these former players have ridden Rivers' coattails into a head coaching spot is absurd and insulting.

Listening to Karl and Rivers take witty shots at each other through the media was comical. Every press conference needs more laughter. Unfortunately, it looks like Karl has turned the feud into something more serious and the banter will probably stop. Karl should be more careful with his lance, because when it comes to race, it's a fine line between a playful joust and a deadly thrust.

Tim O'Sullivan is a staff writer at the Concord (NH) Monitor and a regular contributor to HoopsHype.com

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