Karl talks to his problem child.

[damekmo@teleport.com]

From:

>http://espnet.sportszone.com/nba/columns/western/00930940.html

You're right...I'm being schmucky. Here's something positive. I'm sure that
if there's anything to this Walker vs. Pitino story, Rick's taken care of
it...just like George Karl is doing in Milwaukee.


>SEATTLE -- Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl said he has used the league's
>mandate that one team official can have contact with players as a vehicle
>to begin preparing for the upcoming season.......

>"I've spoken to everybody," Karl said. "I have actually gone in person
>around the country and spoken to most of them. ......
>
>One of the biggest questions Karl has facing him with his new team is his
>relationship with starting center Ervin "Not Magic" Johnson. Johnson started
>for the Sonics in 1996, but when the Sonics reached the NBA Finals against the
>Bulls, Karl benched Johnson and the dispute became public and ugly. That
>summer, the Sonics renounced the rights to Johnson and signed Jim McIlvaine.
>
>   "I was with Ervin Monday," Karl said. "I got to Denver at 10:30 (a.m.)
>and left
>about 4 (p.m.). I had lunch with him at his house. I think we talked on
>everything. We talked on the good we had here, the good we had together. We
>talked on the end, on the negative. I think there was an understanding. But I
>think there was also a lot of rationalization. There was discussion, which was
>good. I think it was good that we had it. Ervin had a great run that year. It
>ended on a bad note, but he had a great run. It is unusual for a young player
>to contribute like that.<P><p>
>
>"I think it is behind us now. We are ready to go. I think I challenged him
>very aggressively to be what he said he was when I left him. He said he was a
>starting center in the NBA. I'm going to challenge him to be that."<P><p>
>

Paul M.