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"It's fun playing golf with him. It's fun playing cards with him. He has the same passion to kick your butt in all of that stuff. And he's pretty good at doing it. His record is pretty good." Wait, you played cards with Michael Jordan? "At the North Carolina golf outings, there's always a card game, if you want to stay up until 4 in the morning," Karl said. "The games are usually a lot bigger than I can handle. I don't mind losing money on the golf course, but I don't like the zeros they were playing for." Denver Post

Charlotte Bobcats, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Michael Jordan 

So he’s changing the way people think — wherever he deems it necessary — and it’s not limited to a 94-by-45 box. On the court, he has actually managed to get George Karl — one of the NBA’s seminal thinkers — to reconsider what the Denver coach had believed was basketball gospel. Off the court, the Technology High product on Tuesday become the first NBA player to publicly support LGBT rights by joining Athlete Ally, an organization working to end homophobia in sports. "It says a lot about him as as man, and it tells me that I raised him right — with help from his father, and my wife," said Waudda Faried, a proud mother in a yellow nylon jacket and cap, seated with a few dozen friends in Section 13 at Barclays Center Wednesday night. "And it says a lot about the kind of messages you send to your children, (when you see) how they turn out." Newark Star-Ledger

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Kenneth Faried 

Karl said he tries to avoid media in the days before the trade deadline because "we tell fibs and lies." However, he has helped to fan the flame. He admitted he once had a contest with coaching pals to see who could get an outlandish rumor into the newspaper first. "We make up some trade that never was proposed in 100 years and suddenly it's on ESPN," he said, smiling. Karl said he's no longer in the business of pulling pranks, and had no trades in the works that he wanted to share. He swears he hasn't spread any trade rumors in "7-8 years," he said. Cleveland Plain Dealer

Denver Nuggets, Trade, George Karl, Coaching 

And while Mozgov has been one of the most inquired-about Nuggets, there remains huge question marks as to whether the team will deal anyone at all. Karl emphasized that point after today’s shootaround at Quicken Loans Arena. “(Nuggets general manager) Masai (Ujiri) and I have had one conversation about what’s going on in the trade world,” Karl said. “I’m really very happy with the team. Masai, it’s his job to figure out what makes us better and bring that to us. Right now, I don’t think there’s a lot of urgency for me to think about it very much. I used to read HoopsHype this time of year. I don’t even read HoopsHype anymore. I just look at some stats and some scheduling stuff.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Trade, George Karl 

Karl acknowledged this time of year is a period of “solid anxiety…for players. It’s a small, small percentage a trade could happen. It would be different if you knew there was a contract, but we’re happy with our salary structure, we’re happy with our contracts, we’re happy with our players… And we’re happy with our record.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Trade, George Karl 

Then there’s this: In the middle of the trade conversation, Karl said he shrugs his shoulders at the rumor mill because “I think we’re reporting fibs and lies,” Karl said. How can he be so sure? “I know we are because I used to give out the lies,” Karl said, chuckling. “I used to have bets with guys in the league to see who could get something in the paper fastest. We’d make up some trade that was never presented in a hundred years and all of a sudden it’s on ESPN.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Trade, George Karl 

So was it too much to expect Iguodala to lead the Nuggets in scoring and shoot better than 60 percent from the foul line? Coach George Karl is never afraid to tell me I'm wrong, so I asked him. "I'm not unhappy. That's unrealistic. You thought he'd be our leading scorer? I never thought that," Karl said. "He's a good scorer for us, and we have other guys we plug in. The way we play, we don't tilt the offense to one player until the end of the game. We just play basketball, go out, run and see who gets the touches." According to the coach, Iguodala has checked the box when it comes to distributing the ball and improving the team's defensive mind-set. Karl admits the pace of play has sometimes been a challenge for Iguodala. "His professionalism, it's not vocal ... but he's a pro. He prepares the right way; he's ready to go; he works his tail off," Karl said. "He hasn't seen that window or the opportunity to become the vocal leader of the team. But, in the first three or four months with a team, that's not unusual." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala, George Karl 

Back on the Pepsi Center practice court on Thursday morning was a familiar face – that of former Nuggets assistant coach Tim Grgurich. And if he hadn’t been gone for so long, it really was as if he never left. He bounced around from player-to-player, chatting, rebounding for free throws, talking to coaches and sometimes just standing off to the side and observing. Nuggets coach George Karl has long tried to get Grgurich back into the organization after he left in 2010. And while this is very temporary – a few games – Karl couldn’t be happier to have the calming influence and basketball smarts of one of his best friends in the business. “He gives me eyes, the pulse of the team,” Karl said. “Someone to give me another opinion on where he thinks we need to go and what steps (to take). There’s still two or three small steps of progression this team needs to make and your time in practices gets shorter. So having him prioritize here in the next week or two is important.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Tim Grgurich 

The Chicago Bulls’ Tom Thibodeau and the Denver Nuggets’ George Karl today were named the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Coaches of the Month, respectively, for games played in January. HoopsWorld

Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Tom Thibodeau, Coaching 

Nuggets coach George Karl, who had Andersen in Denver from 2008-12, said he spoke to Heat coach Erik Spoelstra about Andersen's character. Karl said Nuggets assistant John Welch, who is close to Spoelstra, also talked to the Miami coach about the high-flying player known as Birdman. "I was very happy about that,'' Karl said before Sunday night's game at the Pepsi Center against Oklahoma City about Andersen signing with the Heat 12 days after he worked out for the team. "I think Bird knows that we've given him pretty good endorsements to Miami people. What he's going through and what happened (with his legal situation), I think will go by the wayside." FOXSports Florida

Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, George Karl, Erik Spoelstra, Chris Andersen 

“Russell made a lot of friends here,” Nuggets coach George Karl said sarcastically, following Denver’s 121-118 win. “He’s a feisty guy who likes to create intensity. I like intensity. I’m sure the next time we’ll have some locker room talk. “I saw him block the shot and then he threw the ball into the crowd. I know in the rule book it says you’re not allowed to throw the ball into the crowd.” Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, George Karl, Russell Westbrook 

In a media gathering two days ago with Karl, KCNC-4's Vic Lombardi asked the coach, "Do you still support him?" "That's a hard question," Karl said, "and a little bit of an unfair question. Do I support him as a person who's done a tremendous job for cancer research and cancer navigation? (Heck) yes, I do. I want Livestrong to survive. I don't know if he's going to be a part of that or not, but I want his mission to continue. And if I can help Livestrong do that, I will do that. I think the scenario you're asking me to define, as a coach in athletics, is sad. But it's the era that we have to live in." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Lance Armstrong 

While these guys have put up so many points after starting so young, it remains to be seen whether either could break the NBA record of 38,387 put up by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar from 1969-89. Bryant, who is 34 and has 30,619 career points, obviously could get there well before James. But he won't if he sticks with what he has speculated and retires when his contract expires at the end of next season. "I think Kobe will keep playing until he can't because he's so competitive," said Denver guard Andre Miller, a 14-year veteran who doesn't buy that Bryant will hang it up at age 35. Even if he keeps playing, Miller isn't so sure Bryant will break Abdul-Jabbar's record. But Nuggets coach George Karl believes it will happen. "I would think Kobe could do it," Karl said of Bryant, who will face James on Thursday night at the Staples Center. "He can do that in 3 ½ years." FOXSports Florida

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, George Karl, Andre Miller, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Records aside, when both players are retired, who's going to have the most points? "I would think Kobe because when all is said and done, I just don't think LeBron likes to score enough," Karl said. Miller agrees. "I think Kobe will score more because I think that when LeBron gets to be more of a veteran, he'll score less," Miller said. "I think that he'll still be getting like eight or nine rebounds and assists a game but maybe only 20 points instead of what he's scoring now." FOXSports Florida

Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, George Karl, Andre Miller, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar 

Before Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Nuggets coach George Karl said, "We could have a very good record" at the all-star break, "but I haven't heard one name mentioned (for all-star consideration). Anywhere." To be fair, Karl might not have caught what Anthony said. "Kenneth has probably been the most consistent of our starters," Karl said, "but he's an energy guy, so he's not going to get much love." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, George Karl, Kenneth Faried, All Star Game 

Chris Tomasson: Swingman Guard Corey Brewer would like to re-sign with the Nuggets when he becomes a free agent this summer. “Yeah, I’d like to be here,’’ Brewer told FOX Sports Florida. “I like the fans, I like the city, I like the system, I like George Karl’s system, I like my teammates. So it’s a good situation for me.’’ Sulia

Denver Nuggets, Free Agency, George Karl, Corey Brewer 

Asked which of his players he deems worthy for consideration, Karl paused for a second. "That would be really difficult to say," Karl said. "I'd probably say Andre Miller. From the standpoint of efficient minutes, Andre's given us as efficient minutes as anybody. But I think Ty (Lawson) and (Andre Iguodala) and (Danilo Gallinari) all have had moments. And I'm excited, because I think they all are getting stronger and more confident, and their consistency is getting at a higher level. But because of their up-and-down moments, it's going to be difficult for them to get any recognition." Denver Post

Denver Nuggets, Andre Iguodala, George Karl, Andre Miller, Danilo Gallinari 

J.R. Smith was talking about his Denver days and saidhe purposely did things “that would [tick] George off,” as in Nuggets coach George Karl. Smith clashed with Karl and his first coach Byron Scott. But Smith has clicked with Mike Woodson. Smith said he has become a more reliable player because he said he doesn’t want to disappoint Woodson. Sulia

New York Knicks, Byron Scott, Mike Woodson, George Karl, J.R. Smith 

In Denver, he became close friends with Carmelo Anthony, the two most dynamic players on the team and also the most constant source of headaches for head coach George Karl. "I think J.R. and I will probably play golf someday and laugh about all the crazy things we went through," Karl said. "And the turmoil I caused him and the turmoil he caused me." Bergen Record

Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks, George Karl, Carmelo Anthony, JR Smith 

LeBron James opened the door last year on returning to Cleveland. A former Cavaliers coach said he wouldn't be surprised if it happens. "I think LeBron is at that stage where he's challenging himself to motivate him to do something that's maybe more difficult," Denver coach George Karl told FOX Sports Florida before Friday's game against Cleveland at the Pepsi Center. "I could see him maybe doing that (returning to the Cavaliers)." FOXSports Florida

Cleveland Cavaliers, Denver Nuggets, Miami Heat, Free Agency, LeBron James, George Karl