It’s hard to obtain the kind of stability in the NBA coaching ranks that longtime NBA coaching veterans such as Jerry Sloan of the Utah Jazz and San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich enjoy. But now George Karl can feel just as stable with the Nuggets.
The Nuggets on Tuesday exercised the final three seasons of Karl’s contract through the 2009-10 season. The third-year Nuggets coach will receive $3 million this season and will make the same salary in each of the remaining seasons. Since assuming head coaching duties Jan. 27, 2005, he has guided the Nuggets to a 76-46 regular-season record, two playoff appearances and the 2005-06 Northwest Division crown.
“The problem would have been all the questions, all the speculation,” Karl said of the possibility of going the season with his contract up in the air. “It helps me coach my team and keep my direction on my team. Being in my position, I don’t think it was as high of a priority of putting stress and pressure on me.
“I think if I could have gone without it being picked up, but there’s no question I’m very happy it was picked up.”
Karl’s 784 career wins over 18 NBA seasons are tied for the 12th-most in NBA history. His winning percentage (.628) is the best by a Nuggets head coach since the franchise joined the NBA in 1976.
“We’re committed to building a championship-caliber team,” Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “The cornerstone of all championship teams is excellent coaches and players and a passionate fan base. We believe today’s announcement, coupled with the moves made throughout the offseason, will take us close to reaching our ultimate goal.”
Said forward Kenyon Martin: “When you make the playoffs two years in a row, that’s what happens. His extension is a reward for winning.”
Said guard-forward Carmelo Anthony: “That’s good for (Karl). Anyone that gets an extension must be doing something good.”
Footnotes
Anthony scored a team-high 21 points and had six rebounds in Denver’s 118-102 win over Efes Pilsen at the Pepsi Center. “The only negative about Melo is I’d wish he’d run more,” Karl said. “I wish he’d get ahead of the ball.” Forward Reggie Evans added a double-double (17 points and 11 rebounds) off the bench … The Nuggets started Linas Kleiza (15 points) at shooting guard and used Anthony at small forward. “My main goal is to stay in the rotation,” Kleiza said. … Forward-center Nene (rest), forward Eduardo Najera (groin) and guard Courtney Alexander (groin) didn’t play. Martin banged his right knee, but he is expected to be fine.
DENVER 118, EFES PILSEN 102
Efes Pilsen 24 20 22 36 – 102
Denver 33 22 33 30 – 118
EFES PILSEN (102)
Haislip 9-18 1-1 23, Akyol 1-4 1-2 3, Nicholas 3-12 4-4 10, Jenkins 8-20 10-12 26, Kurtoglu 3-9 0-0 6, Pancun 1-2 4-4 6, Gonlum 6-7 3-4 15, Hersek 2-4 1-1 5, Erden 2-6 0-0 6, Abi 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 36-84 24-28 102.
DENVER (118)
Martin 2-5 0-0 4, Anthony 6-11 9-10 21, Camby 3-6 2-2 8, Miller 2-4 0-0 4, Kleiza 6-13 2-3 15, Evans 6-8 5-12 17, Smith 6-10 3-3 15, Diawara 2-4 0-0 4, Smith 2-4 0-0 4, Boykins 4-8 3-3 11, Carter 2-3 2-2 6, Hood 1-2 0-0 2, Sampson 3-4 1-3 7. Totals 45-82 27-38 118.
3-point goals – Efes Pilsen 6-29 (Haislip 4-9, Erden 2-6, Hersek 0-1, Akyol 0-1, Kurtoglu 0-3 Nicholas 0-4, Jenkins 0-5), Denver 1-8 (Kleiza 1-3, Smith 0-1, Diawara 0-1, Boykins 0-1, Anthony 0-2). Fouled out – Kurtoglu. Rebounds – Efes Pilsen 27 (Haislip, Gonlum 6), Denver 40 (Evans 11). Assists – Efes Pilsen 20 (Jenkins 8), Denver 25 (Miller 8). Total fouls – Efes Pilsen 31, Denver 31. Technicals – Efes Pilsen team, Denver team. A – 8,647.
Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
