The Denver Nuggets were a noticeably less effective team without George Karl on the sideline for him last year. His return is looked at as their biggest addition this offseason, but it's not set in stone yet that he could return.

"I've committed but it's not a guarantee," revealed Karl on the Dan Patrick Show. "The doctor's got up until October 1st if they call me in and say they would recommend against it, I probably wouldn't coach but that has not been the case. Every exam this summer, I have three different doctors I go talk to, they all feel from what they see, what they feel, and what they examine, you're in the right place and hopefully we can continue that with some good tests coming in August and September."

Karl is no stranger to cancer having won a battle against prostate cancer in 2005. While that experience helped him understand the process ahead of him, it didn't take away from the danger.

"I would say this one is probably a little more dangerous than prostate," acknowledged Karl. "But the treatment has been very good. The treatments are in the 85-90 area if they get it early. Right now everything looks great. I haven't had my Petscan yet. That will happen in a couple of weeks. With cancer I think everything is about a five year project where you have to clear all the test in five years, but right now it looks like I'm gonna be okay and I will be ready to coach come October."

The Nuggets can only hope Karl is on point with his projections because without him they could be heading toward a very disappointing 2010-2011 campaign.