George Karl needs to show he can coach

The Denver Nuggets acquired Allen "BubbaChuck" Iverson last season in hopes of winning a NBA title. In the ultra-competitive western conference the Nuggets are currently in 9th place... and out of the playoff picture. It's not that they are a bad team. They are on pace for 50 wins. But when you have two all-star starters on your team, no one wants to hear excuses about how tough the west is.

Which leads me to George Karl. Iverson and Carlmelo Anthony are both having great seasons. Camby still is playing lights out defense. Even Kenyon Martin has been surprisingly solid at both ends of the court. Defense is supposed to be their Achilles heel although they have some really good defensive players on the squad. Karl has reportedly turned down a deal that would have brought in Ron Artest.

A.I. and 'Melo, who are two absolute beasts on the court, both backed the deal. Nothing got done. Say what you will about Artest but the dude he is simply one of the best two-way players in the league. You think that trade would have given Denver a boost at the defensive end and made them a scary team? I think so. Think they would possibly miss the playoffs? Doubt it.

George Karl is supposed to be good a coach schooled by Dean Smith and groomed by UNC. He is now on the "hot seat," ladies and gents. He needs to show he has a clue with the horses he has on his team. That racket you hear coming from the Mile High City is that of annoyed Nuggets fans because coach Karl didn't pull the trigger. The reason: he covets a bench player named Linas Kleiza. If the Nuggets fail to make it to the dance and the Philly Sixers do (albeit in the east), that will be an embarassment to Iverson and the organization. George Karl needs to step his game up, or he's 'outta here' like a Ryan Howard homerun.