TORONTO — What if a rookie coach began his career this season with an 0-9 record and at one point was 2-19? Considering that six NBA coaches were fired before Christmas, it’s likely that Mr. 2-19 would have been No. 7.
Fortunately for George Karl, the Cavaliers’ management wasn’t as quick-triggered in 1984. Karl’s team got much better in his rookie season and finished 34-27 after that dismal 2-19 start.
And now he’s on the cusp of win No. 900. Sitting on No. 899, his Nuggets (20-12) play tonight at Toronto (12-19), and then Friday at Oklahoma City (3-29). Karl is 10th all-time in wins, and only four coaches ahead of him — Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, Pat Riley and Jerry Sloan — have a better winning percentage than Karl’s .590.
“Fortunately, I’ve always found someone else who would give me another opportunity,” said Karl, in his 21st season and with his fifth franchise. “Success is having another opportunity, so I guess it probably means I’ve been successful.”
Asked what win No. 900 will mean, Karl quipped: “Means I’m getting old. But there’s a pride to that, and it’s more so the coaches I’ve had, the players I’ve had and the longevity because of them.”
Karl’s first coaching win was Nov. 15, 1984, at Atlanta, against a Hawks team that featured current Nuggets broadcaster Scott Hastings.
Nene day to day.
Denver center Nene is questionable for tonight’s game with a cervical strain he suffered Sunday. The Nuggets didn’t practice Tuesday after back-to- back games at New York and Atlanta.
Karl said it’s a little tougher to game plan without Nene against Eastern Conference teams, because those teams aren’t scouted as much by Denver. Toronto has two polished posts: Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal. In the Dec. 2 game at the Pepsi Center, Nene had 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Raptors.
Denver’s only healthy reserve center is Chris Andersen, who started Monday and scored three points with six rebounds in 32 minutes.
Next contestant?
Nuggets guard J.R. Smith said he “would love to be a part” of the NBA’s 3-point competition during All-Star Weekend. Smith’s 37.2 3-point percentage is ninth among players with 150 or more attempts.
Benjamin Hochman and Chris Dempsey, the Denver Post
Denver at Toronto
5 p.m. today, ALT2, KTNI 101.5 FM
Spotlight on Jose Calderon: It’s New Year’s Eve, and Calderon has yet to miss a free throw. The Raptors point guard is 70-for-70 from the line. The Spanish Olympian is averaging a career-high 13.2 points and 8.9 assists, third-best in the NBA. And the efficient general is first in the NBA with a 4.18 assists/turnover ratio.
Nuggets: Center Nene (cervical strain) is questionable. . . . The Nuggets have won three straight games against Toronto. . . . On Monday at Atlanta, Kenyon Martin tallied 19 points, his most in December. He also grabbed three rebounds, his least in December. . . . Reserve guard Anthony Carter led Denver with seven assists (and just one turnover) in Monday’s game and did so in just 16 minutes.
Raptors: The Nuggets’ 132-93 drubbing of Toronto on Dec. 2 proved to be the final game coached by the Raptors’ Sam Mitchell, who was fired the next day. . . . Toronto has lost seven of its past nine games, and the two it won were against the lowly Clippers and Kings. . . . All-star forward Chris Bosh is coming off one of his better games this season, when he scored 30 points with 14 rebounds — six offensive — at Golden State on Monday. . . . Reigning 3-point contest champion Jason Kapono has been starting of late for the Raptors, and he made three 3s on Monday, finishing with 11 points. Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
