It's not up yet, so I'm doing a fan post.
We can talk about effort, four games in five nights, the refs, whatever you want. When it comes down to it, this game was lost in the second quarter with decisions a high school coach wouldn't make.
WHAT THE FUCK GEORGE KARL?!?!?!?!?!?
Non-Stiff of the night: Nobody
Stiff of the Night: George Karl
Sorry, George, I was trying to go easy on you, but you need to remove yourself from in game situations until you are better.
On the Lakers game, you trotted out the lineup of A.C., J.R., Afflalo, Birdman, and Nene. It didn't work and should never have been tried- not enough offense in that lineup. Big contributor to losing that game. Okay, anybody can make a mistake once, and really you just gave A.C. the minutes Lawson would normally get.
In come the suns. First quarter arrives, and for some reason both J.R. and Birdman don't come into the game at their normal times. Things are going good, maybe you are staying with a hot hand. Up by thirteen, and in comes the A.C., Jr., Afflalo, Birdman, and KMart lineup. Okay, the first time you did this was a mistake, but A.C. was not expected to play. This time is not excusable. At no point in this game should both Billups and Melo be on the bench at the same time. Again, no offense, and the suns make a run, cutting the lead to 6 with two free throws coming. Billups off the bench and all the fans are thinking, okay, here comes billups for AC to restore some order. A little late to fix the lineup, but okay, we've still got the lead at least. And Billups comes in for Birdman.
A FOUR GUARD LINEUP? REALLY? WHAT THE FUCK?!
Stunningly, the four guard lineup was terrible, and soon the game was over.
Most places of employment have what are known as "firing offenses". Turning in an assignment late, you get a dirty look from your boss. Get caught banging a co-worker on your desk. Fired. The four guard lineup is a firing offense. You get a pass because of your current condition, but if it happens again, A.D. is now authorized to relieve you from duty immiediately. As in, in game, send you home.
I don't know Karl, or how this treatment is affecting him. When my father was getting chemo, it slowed him down a lot. I think the same is happening with Karl, as evidenced by the late rotations of players and the weird lineups. I think Karl should still go to games when he can, but he needs to turn over in game duties to someone who is fully healthy. This is a difficult jog when you are 100%. Karl is now likely somewhere between 50 and 75% and that's not enough. Take some time and come back when you are healthy, George.
