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by Eric_Goodman from DENVER

Last Post 2 days Ago


Kenyon Martin Speaks Candidly About the Season
Apr 29, 2008 | 3:40 PM
Category: Sports
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The Nuggets may have won 50 regular season games, but everyone will remember this team getting swept out of the playoffs. The Nuggets locked up the 8th seed during the final week of the season and it was a struggle to get there.

This team had the talent to be a higher seed, but failed to consistently play like a team to make it happen. "It's a disappointment when you think about the games that we lost that we shouldn't have lost," said Kenyon Martin one day after this franchise failed to get past the opening round for the 5th year in a row. "We put ourselves in a position to be the 8th seed. If we would have played better at times during the regular season, we wouldn't have been in that position. This is the hand that we dealt ourselves." 

There are a lot of questions heading into the off season. Why can't this team play better defense? Why does this offense play so much 1 on 1 basketball? Why couldn't George Karl get all of this talent and athleticism to play like a team more consistently? 

"I don't feel it solely falls on George's shoulders," Martin added. "It's on us. We go out and play. We're all at fault. You can't just point the finger at one particular person or one thing. It's a number of things why we didn't win." 

Martin's candor is refreshing. "We didn't put ourselves in a position to be successful.  It's defensively passing the ball and not being professional. There's a long list of things that we didn't do." 

The Nuggets to do list might not be as long as you think. Their core players like Anthony, Martin, Camby, and Iverson still have a year or more left on their deals. 

Although, Iverson can opt out of his contract. It will be tough to make trades, so we may see a similar roster next season. We may see different results if the entire organization puts Martin's words into actions.
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workboy8686 read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 10:25 AM

Although I agree with Kenyon Martin's comments about what the team needs to do, I do put much more fault on George Karl's shoulders.

I believe the team lacks direction in most games that should be the coach's responsibility. Maybe, the situation has escalated to the point where the team doesn't listen to or respect the coaches suggestions. Either way, nothing will change, unless Denver Nuggets management makes a change. I'm not saying George Karl needs to be fired, but It is easier to end one contract instead of five.

There are many excellent coaches available right now and it a good time to be looking.
Eric_Goodman read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 1:55 PM

i think there is a lot of blame to go around. i don't think karl should be fired. just curious? who are all of the excellent coaches available, who have karl's record of winning. remember, he is one of the winningest coaches of all time. also, if the nuggets bring back the same roster, i don't think anyone could coach this team. it is up to the players to choose to listen to a coach and change their attitude. so far, they haven't shown that motivation.
workboy8686 read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 4:21 PM

Winning games during the regular season doesn't get a guy to the Hall of Fame. Avery Johnson had a better record than Karl in the last two years. Do I need to remind you were he is right now?

I truly believe their is a point where a coach has a inspirational value to the team. I think it is clearly obvious that the Nuggets lacked focus throughout the season (especially the playoffs) and I feel it is up to the coach to help those team members get back on track.

and to your comment of anyone coaching the nuggets current roster: If Phil Jackson can make Kobe Bryant listen, then I think it is safe to say it is possible. It is up to the Coach to motivate the players. That is the whole reason for having a coach.
Eric_Goodman read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 6:01 PM

for starters.. george karl will be in the hall of fame. he will pass 900 wins next season and his winning percentage will be 60 percent or better. his record in the playoffs is under .500. however, he led the sonics to the nba finals--and lost to jordan. who didn't lose to jordan?
i agree a coach has to be inspirational. there are very few players on the nuggets, who have the capacity to be inspired. the problem is the make up of the team. just because you have talent doesn't mean you have character and players who truly want to dedicate themselves to winning. the nuggets don't have enough of those guys.
jackson had to convince 1 guy (kobe) to buy into his system. karl has about 4 or 5 guys he needs to do that with. i think the players did tune him out. do i think that's a problem? absolutely. I think they need to change some of the roster, not the coach. also, great coaches have great leaders on the court. the nuggets don't have that. popovich has duncan. jackson has kobe. the pistons have billups. the celtics have garnett. the hornets have paul. it isn't an accident that these are some of the top teams in the league.
want to get back to your origional comment. who should be the next coach? it's easy to say fire karl. so what's your answer to replace him?
workboy8686 read my blog
May 2, 2008 | 11:55 AM

Well good for George. I wish him the best sitting on the sidelines, not saying a word, just to achieve his 900 wins and go down in the books as the 12 winning coach that never won.

You think we need a roster change. The Denver Nuggets was about the only team that had no activity during the trade deadlines. I'm quite certain that would also be one of the Coaches responsibilities also. I suppose that isn't Karl's fault either.

I think it is safe to say Pat Riley can be swayed away from the Heat.
workboy8686 read my blog
May 5, 2008 | 3:24 PM

D'Antoni

http://www.nba.com/suns/news/dantoni_080505.html
workboy8686 read my blog
Jun 3, 2008 | 11:12 AM

Eric,

I welcome you to view this article. This is what happens when a coach can't produce. He had a BETTER career record than Karl and a .715 regular season average over the past three years with the Pistons. Fortunately, Joe Dumars is smart enough to admit, "it's time to make a change."

http://www.nba.com/pistons/news/saunders_080603.html
Eric_Goodman read my blog
Jun 3, 2008 | 2:13 PM

good article. i had read it at home before i got your e-mail.
i have been told by people close to the situation--the feeling about saunders is that he wasn't a great in game coach. this has not been the knock on karl where ever he has coached.
this is the biggest reason for saunders firing.
when it comes to karl, there is a lot of blame to go around--the front office and the players.
i think you would agree--bzdelik, cooper, and karl have not been able to maximize the most out of mello. he needs to make a decision on whether or not he wants to become a great all around player.
i understand your frustration with karl. there are a lot of people frustrated with him. my issue is the overall make up of the team--this goes onto the front office and the players accountability. i honestly believe--no coach could coach this current roster to a title. by the way, pat riley and jerry sloan (i have been told by people who know both men very well) would never want this current roster. they would want their own guys--better role players specificially. nuggets management puts a high premium on talent and very little on character and guys who are dedicated to winning. if this sounds familiar, look at what the broncos did over the last 2 years. shanahan finally realizes this and that's why henry, sauerbrun, and walker are gone.
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Eric_Goodman

Eric Goodman is the main sports anchor at Fox 31 in Denver, CO.

Member Since: 8/28/2006


 

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