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The Pros and Cons of letting George Karl go

George Karl clearly isn't the long-term coach of the Kings, but should Sacramento really fire another coach mid-way through the season?
By | 0 Comments | Mar 6, 2019

Pros: Karl's offensive game plan is frustrating (and underutilizing) his players, and the trigger-happy switching defensive gameplan is constantly exploited by perimeter shooters. Karl has proven throughout his coaching history that he's very reluctant to systemic change (this find from our buddy Omer is damn eerie), and the Kings shouldn't expect that he'll change now.

Most importantly, DeMarcus Cousins won't be in as much personal limbo. The Kings aren't firing a beloved-lockerroom leader this time, and Cousins knows that Divac believes in him and desperately wants this team to succeed. Cousins isn't going to be (and should expected to be) patient, but at least his general manager has his back this February.

Cons: George Karl isn't the long-term coach of this team, but the Kings aren't a move away from being a good team. Firing Karl doesn't make this team a playoff squad, with all due respect to Corliss Williamson (Big Nasty will always get respect).

More importantly, letting Karl go doesn't equate to getting the proper coach in place, and as was proven last year, neither the Kings fanbase (myself included!) nor the organization are patient with interims when we know they aren't the long-term answer. Plus, the 2015-16 Kings are infuriatingly inconsistent on a whole new level from years past, but they're playing better overall basketball than they were a year before. Any foundation for the next few months is better than limbo; those who don't learn from history are doomed to watch another three months of true-instability Kings basketball.

In the end, I hope the Kings opt for patience and keep Karl through the next three months. He's not the long-term answer, but no top coaches (Tom Thibedeau!) are waiting to grab their clipboards. Three more months of Karl isn't going to cause any irreparable damage, and it at least lets the organization show some semblance of patience. Regardless, no one should envy Vlade's job over the next few weeks.

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