George Karl

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Sacramento, CA – The Sacramento Kings announced today that George Karl will not be retained as head coach for the 2016-17 season, according to Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Vlade Divac.

“After evaluating the team’s performance this season, I determined it was necessary to move forward with a new voice from the head coaching position,” said Divac. “I have a great deal of respect and admiration for George and his accomplishments throughout his nearly 30 years in the NBA. On behalf of everyone in the Kings organization, I thank him for the contributions made during his time in Sacramento and wish him good fortune in the future.”

Hired on February 25, 2015, Karl compiled a 44-68 record in one and a half seasons in Sacramento. Overall, he ranks fifth all-time in NBA annals with 1,175 head coaching victories through 27 seasons in Cleveland (1984-86), Golden State (1986-88), Seattle (1991-98), Milwaukee (1998-2003), Denver (2004-2013) and Sacramento (2015-16).

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George Karl Not to Return as Kings Head Coach for 2016-17 Season

Kyle Ramos

A meeting that was supposed to last 15 minutes turned into a two-hour session between Kings head coach George Karl, Rajon Rondo, and DeMarcus Cousins.

Both Boogie and Rondo have been instrumental to the Kings this season, but both are also unsatisfied with the team’s current 7-12 record. In order to get back on track, No. 9 and No. 15 wanted to sit down and talk with Coach Karl about what could be done to start winning more games.

Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports recently spoke to Rondo and Big Cuz about their meeting with Karl and wrote an article documenting what it’s meant for the team.

“It was a powerful meeting for all three of us,” Rondo told Spears. “We asked [Coach Karl] to just sit with us so we can pick his brain and share our thoughts. What I love about [Karl] is he’s very open. George is not a dictator. ‘What can we do positively? What can we do to improve?’”

The discussion between the three consisted of a two-way conversation where Karl had input on what he think could get better and Rondo and Cousins also shared areas where they wanted to see alterations.

Among these changes, Rajon and DMC wanted Karl to know that he should not hesitate to hold them accountable when reviewing game film with the team.

“If you have to bully me or call me out, I can accept that. I’m a 10-year vet,” said Rondo to Spears.

“We’re just trying to correct every mistake we have,” DeMarcus told Spears. “We want to be a winning team, and I feel it starts with myself on down to Rondo as well.”

Following this positive meeting, the three parties decided that it would be a good idea to make this discussion happen more often, setting out time each week to speak to each other.

“We are going to continue to communicate on a weekly basis, good or bad,” said Coach Karl to Spears. “If we are in a good stretch, we are going to still communicate.”

As for the relationship between Rondo and Big Cuz, the two continue to form a stronger bond as the season goes on.

“The way we compete and the type of competitors we are, it’s hard for us not to get along,” said Cousins to Spears. “I’m soaking in all I can. He’s a champion. I basically look up to him.”

No. 9 also referred to DMC as “best big man in the game” and told Spears that he’s wanted to play with Boogie for the past three years. Rajon also mentioned his mentorship role with Cousins and that he is trying to pass on knowledge that was passed on to him during his Boston Celtics days.

“…I want to be his big brother like [Kevin Garnett] was to me, showing me the ropes and helping me along the way,” Rondo told Spears. “Everything that I’m telling him, [Garnett] told me. Experience is everything. If someone has it and is willing to share it, I was always trying to soak in as much knowledge as possible.”

The takeaways from this meeting and the cohesion between these core players have given the team a renewed positive outlook moving forward and will hopefully result in more wins this season.

To view the full article on Yahoo! Sports, click here.

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Rondo, Cousins, and Karl Have ‘Powerful’ Meeting

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has picked up the option on Reno Bighorns Head Coach David Arseneault Jr., according to Kings Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations Vlade Divac.    

In his first season at the helm, Arseneault compiled a 20-30 record and installed a fast paced offense that helped Reno lead the league in several statistical categories. The Bighorns ranked first in NBA D-League in scoring (133.1 points per game), three-pointers made (17.2 made per game), assists (26.8 assists per game), pace (116.34 possessions per 48 minutes) and three-point attempts (46.9 attempts per game). Additionally, the Kings affiliate also established a new all-time single-game NBA D-League mark with 31 three-point field goals made on Jan. 31 in a 157-132 victory against the Santa Cruz Warriors (breaking their own previous record of 28 threes on Nov. 29 against the Idaho Stampede).

“We are excited to continue with David as our coach in Reno,” said Divac. “He demonstrated an ability to develop players prepared to contribute at the professional level and his system complements George Karl’s desire to run an up-tempo style of play in Sacramento.”  

Reno led the NBA D-League with seven total call-ups; Quincy Miller (Sacramento 1/17 &amp; Detroit 2/21 – End of season), Jordan Hamilton (Los Angeles Clippers 2/14 – End of Season), David Wear (Sacramento 3/23), Sim Bhullar (Sacramento 4/2) and David Stockton (Sacramento 2/20 &amp; 4/12 – End of Season). 

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Kings Pick Up Option on David Arseneault Jr.

Sacramento, Calif. – Hoy, los Sacramento Kings anunciaron que el equipo viajará a México como parte de los Juegos Internacionales de la NBA 2015. Los Kings jugarán contra los Boston Celtics en la Arena Ciudad de México el 3 de diciembre. Este partido representa la primera visita de los Kings a México y el 22º partido de la NBA en México, lo cual supone el mayor número de partidos de la NBA jugados fuera de los Estados Unidos y Canadá.  

“Es un orgullo participar en los Juegos Internacionales de la NBA”, dijo Vivek Ranadivé. dueño y presidente de los Kings. “El máximo poder del deporte reside en su capacidad para conectar personas de distintas regiones geográficas, económicas y culturales. Como parte de la filosofía de la NBA 3.0, estamos muy deseosos de conectar con los aficionados de la Ciudad de México y compartir esta experiencia con aficionados de todo el mundo en medios sociales y en plataformas digitales.”

Además del espectáculo en cancha, los Juegos Internacionales de la NBA 2015 en Ciudad de México, contarán con actividades fuera  de la cancha, entre otros programas comunitarios de “NBA Cares” y eventos interactivos para los aficionados.  El partido también contará con el apoyo de diversos colaboradores y se transmitirá internacionalmente por televisión y por medios sociales y digitales. 

“Los partidos internacionales les dan la oportunidad a nuestros jugadores y personal de fomentar una relación más estrecha entre sí y de experimentar el basquetbol en otros países”, dijo el entrenador principal de los Kings, George Karl. “Todos estamos muy ilusionados con el viaje a Ciudad de México y deseosos de entretener a tantos y tan fabulosos aficionados de la NBA en Latino América.”

Los boletos estarán a la venta a partir del 24 de abril en las taquillas de la Arena Ciudad de México, en línea en superboletos.com, por teléfono llamando al 01 800 BOLETOS, o en cualquiera de estas tiendas en México: Soriana, Farmacias del Ahorro, Blockbuster, Innova Sport y Palacio de Hierro.

Vídeo de los Juegos Internacionales de la NBA 2015

Acerca de la NBA: La NBA es un negocio internacional de deportes y medios de comunicación organizado en torno a tres ligas deportivas profesionales: la National Basketball Association, la Women’s National Basketball Association y la NBA Development League. Esta liga ha desarrollado una presencia internacional considerable con sedes en 13 mercados internacionales, partidos y programación en 215 países y territorios en 47 idiomas diferentes, con ventas de mercancías de la NBA en 100 países diferentes de los 5 continentes. Las listas de la NBA a principios de la temporada 2014-15 incluían jugadores internacionales de 37 países  y territorios diferentes. Los activos de la NBA Digital incluyen NBA TV, disponible en 60 millones de hogares estadounidenses, y NBA.com, que recibió más de 26,900 millones de visitas durante la temporada 2013-14, más de la mitad de las cuales se originaron fuera de Norte América. La NBA es la liga deportiva profesional más importante en los medios sociales y cuenta con más de 800 millones de “me gusta” y seguidores de todo el mundo de distintas plataforams de ligas, equipos y jugadores. A través de “NBA Cares”, la liga y sus equipos y jugaodres han contribuido más $242 millones en donativos a organizaciones caritativas, han donado más de 3 millones de horas en servicios comunitarios y creado más de 915 lugares en los que los niños y sus familias pueden vivir, aprender o jugar.

Acerca de Zignia Live: Zignia Live es una compañía conocida por convocar espectáculos y eventos de primera calidad cada año, ofreciendo al público una experiencia exclusiva de primera en toda ocasión. En colaboración con compañías importantes de la industria del entretenimiento en vivo, Zignia Live acerca al público mexicano los mejores espectáculos infantiles, musicales, familiares y deportivos.

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Los Sacramento Kings Anuncian su Primera Visita a México para Participar en los Juegos Internacionales de la NBA 2015

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings today hired Vance Walberg as an assistant coach, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.   

A veteran of the coaching ranks with more than three decades of experience at the prep, collegiate and professional levels, Walberg joins George Karl’s staff after spending the last two seasons in a similar capacity with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to his tenure with the 76ers, he was an assistant for Karl on Denver’s bench.

Walberg is known for his innovative offensive ideas and credited with developing the dribble drive motion offense—implemented by John Calipari at the University of Memphis and later Kentucky. His coaching resume includes three seasons at UMass as an assistant coach (2008-2011) after serving two seasons as the head coach at Pepperdine University (2006-2008). 

Prior to joining Karl in Denver for the 2011-12 campaign, Walberg led Fresno City College to a 133-11 (.924) record in his four seasons at the helm, including a perfect 34-0 mark culminating in a California state community college championship in 2005. His extensive head coaching background at the prep level includes stints at Clovis West, Newark Memorial, Los Altos and Mountain View High Schools. In 13 years at Clovis West (Fresno), Walberg guided his teams to a 343-68 record with nine league titles, 10 CIF Central Section Championship appearances, and three trips to the Southern State Championship Game.     

An alumnus of Cal State Bakersfield, the College of Belmont and Saint Mary’s College, Walberg and his wife, Rose have four children: Jason, Heather, Jaimie-Rose and Ian.

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Kings Name Vance Walberg Assistant Coach

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings today acquired guard Andre Miller from the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Ramon Sessions, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“Adding Andre bolsters our backcourt with one of the most prolific ball distributors in the game,” said D’Alessandro. “He’ll also provide veteran leadership to the lockeroom and a wealth of experience at the point guard position. We’re excited to have him join the team. We also want to thank Ramon and wish him the best moving forward.” 

Miller, 38, is a 16-year NBA veteran averaging 12.9 points (.460 FG%, .217 3pt%, .808 FT%), 6.7 assists, 3.8 rebounds, 1.21 steals and 31.7 minutes per contest in 1,235 NBA games for Cleveland (1999-00 – 2001-2002), L.A. Clippers (2002-03), Denver (2003-04 – 2005-06, 2006-07, 2011-12 – 2013-14) Philadelphia (2006-07 – 2008-09), Portland (2009-10 – 2010-11) and Washington (2014-15). He has registered 63 career postseason appearances, tallying 13.5 points (.446 FG%, .386 3pt%, .766 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.  

He ranks ninth in NBA annals with 8,296 assists, trailing only Steve Nash for 2nd among active players. In his finest statistical campaign in 2001-02, he paced the league with 10.9 assists per game. Additionally, he joins Kevin Garnett (1,419), Tim Duncan (1,302), Kobe Bryant (1,280) and Dirk Nowitzki (1,239) as the active league leaders in games played.   

Known for his durability, Miller played in all but six contests during 14 professional campaigns from 1999-00 through 2012-13—a span in which he registered 10 seasons without missing a single game. In parts of three seasons in Denver under current Kings Head Coach George Karl, Miller did not miss a single contest, playing in all 293 games the two spent together.

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Kings Acquire Andre Miller

Steven Wilson

The buzz from the amplifiers echoed throughout the Kings practice facility as the eyes of expectant reporters intently focused on George Karl as he spoke of a bright future in Sacramento.

Crowds huddled around the seats laid out in front of the black Kings backdrop in one of the biggest press conferences Karl has ever been apart of − the same coach who took the 1996 Seattle Sonics to the NBA Finals against Michael Jordan’s Bulls.

Dressed in a pinstriped black suit jacket with a light purple undershirt and a Kings-colored tie, Sacramento’s new coach embraced his latest opportunity with open arms.

“The older I get, the more humble I get − knowing that there are only 30 of these jobs in the NBA,” he began. “To have one of those opportunities is great. I’ve missed the gym, I love the game and I want one more shot at trying to win a championship.”

Returning to a city where he enjoyed many memorable playoff games on the opposite side of the court, Karl spoke with great appreciation for Sacramento and its fans.

“Just from being around this city the last couple of days, there’s an energy about it that’s contagious,” he admitted.

But as excited as Kings fans were about the signing, no one seemed more excited than Karl himself.

The 63-year-old Karl − who served as an ESPN analyst this past year − ranks sixth all-time among NBA coaches with 1,131 wins and needs just 25 victories to pass Phil Jackson for fifth place. En route to the River city, he coached in Cleveland, Golden State, Seattle and Milwaukee before his run with the Denver Nuggets (2004-13).

With 30 games left this season, the veteran leader understands his task − to shift the basketball culture − will be tough.

“From a basketball basis, I think we’ve got all the pieces covered,” Karl continued. “Now, we just have to go to work. It’s going to be a hard job, I mean, winning in the NBA is a process.”

Equipped with many talented pieces and an eager front office and fan-base, Karl is ready to roll up his sleeves and do his part to help rejuvenate the team.

A Coach with a History of Quick Turnarounds

Tuesday’s hiring marks the third time in Karl's career that he's taken over as head coach midway through a season. In the first two instances, he turned his new team around quickly.

Midway through the 2004-05 NBA season, Karl took over the Nuggets franchise and led them to a 32-8 finish − the highest winning percentage (.800) for any mid-season hire in NBA history (min. 20 games). That team was previously 17-25, but Karl flipped a switch and the team earned a playoff berth.

Those Nuggets were also the third-youngest team in the NBA at that point in time with an average age of 24.9, and no player averaged more than 16.7 points per game during the regular season.

In 1991-92, Karl joined the Seattle Sonics − a .500 team at the time of the coaching change. He led the Sonics to a .625 win percentage to close out the season.

“The challenge that I have this year, is to get the fans to (understand) that we’re going to be a good team,” said Karl. “And I think we can get that done this year.

“We have thirty games left to play the game at a better level, to play the game together and to play the game the way our fans can appreciate our effort and our successes.

“There’s enough talent on this team to win games.”

At the end of his time in Denver, Karl coached a Nuggets team that finished the 2012-13 season 57-25 (.695) − the League's fourth-best record at the time. According to NBA.com/stats, Denver ranked third in assists (24.4 apg) and generated an assist on 60.0 percent of its made field goals that year.

Joining Karl on that staff in the Mile High City was Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro − who brought Karl in to coach his new team − and Assistant GM Mike Bratz.

“I want to thank my new partner in this thing − Coach, it’s great to be back here with you,” said D’Alessandro as he turned to Karl, who responded with a friendly pat on the back. “I can't be any happier than I am today.”

At that time D’Alessandro was the Nuggets Vice President of Basketball Operations, while Bratz held the title of Director of Player Personnel.

Karl will look to help rejuvenate Sacramento’s bench play like he has done so many times previously in his career.

Despite the Kings starting lineup of Darren Collison, DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay, Ben McLemore and Jason Thompson owning the third-best +/- of any five-man lineup in NBA this season (+144), the bench play has underperformed statistically.

The regular starters have been able to outscore their opponents by 144 points this season, while all other lineups that the Kings have gone with have been outscored by 362 points. Furthermore, that lineup averages eight more points per 100 possessions and gives up 17 fewer points per 100 possessions than all other Kings lineups this season.

Hypothetically, if the Karl was able to play those five starters a complete game for the entire season, that lineup would have the League's No. 1 defensive efficiency and net efficiency, and the fifth-best offensive efficiency according to ESPN Stats and Info.

As of now, those five starters own the best defensive efficiency of the 28 5-man lineups to play at least 200 minutes together this season, but they have played 427 minutes in 30 games together, which is only 14.2 minutes per game.

Rookie Nik Stauskas stood out to Coach Karl specifically, and not just because of his phonetically-challenging last name.

“I liked (Stauskas) in Summer League,” Karl admitted. “He has a skill-set that I think he’s going to be a 10-year player in the League.

“(Ben) McLemore is exciting. I think (Darren) Collison is having a really solid year. Rudy (Gay) is exciting. The bigs are good enough to be effective around the rim − there are some guys who have had success in the League, we just need to get them some confidence to make them better players.”

“As a coach, you have to adapt and change to the players − and their skills − on your team,” Karl confessed.

“I’m excited to work with DeMarcus (Cousins), who I think is the most-talented big guy I’ve ever coached in my life. I think Shawn Kemp and (DMC) would be the two guys that come to mind.”

Following All-Star break, Cousins and Co. return to the gym on Wednesday with Karl at the helm for the first time.

“I think we just have to get a connection,” the Kings new leader said. “What I want from them is intensity, and a pride to play the game.”

George Karl was in Denver this past week around the time legendary North Carolina Coach and Karl’s former collegiate coach Dean Smith passed away.

The new Kings coach referenced his college mentor and lifelong friend five times throughout Tuesday’s press conference.

“Coach was a great teacher of basketball, but he was a better teacher of men,” Karl said. He taught us at a stage in our life to grow up the right way, to understand life − that’s probably the greatest takeaway we have.”

Karl brings with him many of Smith’s coaching philosophies and tendancies.

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Karl Joins Kings with High Hopes

SACRAMENTO, CA - The Sacramento Kings announced today that George Karl will become the team’s new head coach, according to General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Karl becomes the 27th coach in franchise history and the 16th during the Sacramento-era. Per club policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.   

“We’re fortunate to be taking a step towards returning this franchise to prominence with one of the best coaches in basketball on our sideline,” said D’Alessandro. “George knows how to win, as evidenced by a lifetime track record of success and ability to maintain consistency throughout his three decades in the game. We’re excited to welcome him to Sacramento.”

“I'm extremely excited for the opportunity to coach again in the NBA, and I'm thankful it's happening in Sacramento," said Karl. “I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping guide the franchise back to greatness. We have an owner in Vivek Ranadivé who is committed to winning, a roster with some impressive components already assembled and an exciting new development downtown. Anyone who follows basketball, even at a casual level, understands that Kings fans are renowned for their passionate support of the team. I've coached against the Kings in some important moments over the years and was always amazed by the level of energy they bring to the game. We're going to provide them with more instances to display that enthusiasm.”

Karl joins the Kings as a veteran of 25 seasons on the bench for five NBA franchises (Cleveland, 1984-86), Golden State (1986-88), Seattle (1991-98), Milwaukee (1998-2003) and Denver (2004-2013), where he was named the 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year after guiding the Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 victories and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference—marking the 22nd postseason appearance in his coaching career. His 21 consecutive NBA campaigns of .500 or better achieved from 1991-92 through 2012-13 is the longest such streak in league annals. He is tied with Lenny Wilkens for eighth all-time with 80 playoff victories and has 12 Coach of the Month nods to his credit—tied for second-most in NBA history. He joined the 1,000 win club on Dec. 10, 2010 in a victory over Toronto, adding his name to a rarified quadruple-digit coaching pantheon that includes Rick Adelman, Don Nelson, Wilkens, Jerry Sloan, Pat Riley, Jackson, Larry Brown and Gregg Popovich.

Before joining the Kings, Karl most recently spent nearly two seasons as an NBA analyst for ESPN across a multitude of network platforms, including SportsCenter, NBA Coast 2 Coast, and NBA Tonight.  

A two-time cancer survivor, Karl is active in a number of cancer outreach and awareness organizations, working closely with programs such as the Cancer Care Initiative at Swedish Medical Center to provide information and assistance for patients and their families. Additionally, he and his life partner Kim Van Deraa devote energy to several philanthropic organizations. Established in 2012, the George Karl Foundation supports cancer care programs, educational platforms, animal rights advocacy and environmental initiatives. 

Karl, 63, has three children, daughters Kelci and Kaci and a son, Coby. In 2007-08, Coby and George became just the third father/son duo to face each other in an NBA game and the first to do so in a postseason game as Denver took on Coby’s Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2008 NBA Playoffs.