The feud simmers

By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted March 19, 2002

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Milwaukee Bucks Coach George Karl may as well be wearing one of those "Kick Me" signs on his back when he walks into TD Waterhouse Centre tonight.

He won't stand a chance.

Even veteran assistant/scout Mike Thibault admitted that while the staff normally walks out together before every game, some of them tonight might pause to retie their shoes while the boss goes through the tunnel alone.

"I think we're all going to come out about 40 feet behind George when he walks onto the court," Thibault joked when he was scouting in Orlando last week.

There is a simmering rivalry between the Magic and the Bucks -- now fighting for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference -- but there is a serious rift in full bloom between Karl and Orlando Coach Doc Rivers.

Karl still may be a darling in Milwaukee after leading his team to its first Central Division title in 15 years last season, but there will be no love showered upon him tonight.

Don't expect any polite applause during introductions or any pregame handshake between Rivers and Karl. It's more likely to be a boo and a glare.

Although there has been tension between the two since Rivers joined the Magic as coach in 1999, it flared up again when Karl shot some lighter fluid on the simmering coals earlier this month. Esquire magazine did a lengthy story on Karl, and he took a shot at Rivers that had little to do with the rest of the article.

Most of the story was about Karl's unconventional and outspoken ways that often leave him adrift from his peers. But Karl was critical of the Magic's hiring of Rivers, who played 13 years in the NBA but had no coaching experience before he was hired in 1999. Karl suggested it was because Rivers was black, which prompted Rivers to return fire. Karl said Rivers was "anointed." In response, Rivers called Karl "Naismith" for his know-it-all attitude on basketball.

Rivers: 'I don't need an apology'

Although Karl has since clarified his remarks and Rivers has come to his defense on the racial issue, the damage was done in the eyes of basketball fans around the league.

"I don't think George is a racist. It's tough for me to defend him, but I do think he needs to be defended on that issue," Rivers said. "He's already trying to back away from his comments. I don't think he meant it the way it came out. But it just didn't need to be said."

Although the two haven't talked since the article was published, Karl's agent has called Rivers three times trying to apologize for the remarks.

"Big deal," Rivers said. "I don't need an apology. He said what he said. Let's move on."

Karl said Monday that he would like to sit down and talk with Rivers about their differences, but he won't do it before the game tonight.

"It think it's a good idea that someday we talk about it. I don't know if someday is going to be next week or next month, or the summertime," he said. "I'm not a believer in talking to other coaches during the season. If we could figure out a time to talk, I'd love to."

In the meantime, Karl said he expects to receive a chilly reception tonight. But that won't be anything new for him.

"A player once told me that booing is a sign of respect. It usually motivates you. It gets you more attuned to winning," Karl said. "It stimulates you."

Though Rivers was named NBA coach of the year in his first season, Karl has been critical of coaches who "didn't pay their dues" by working their way up the coaching ladder.

Rivers is amazed by that attitude. He was a television analyst when the Magic hired him.

Karl, meanwhile, coached in the Continental Basketball Association and in Spain before becoming coach of the Seattle Supersonics and later the Bucks. He previously was coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors. He has won 661 NBA games, reached the NBA Finals in Seattle and won the Central Division with Milwaukee last season.

He also is the league's highest-paid coach this season, making $7 million.

"Instead of reading about doing a pick-and-roll, I was out there doing it," said Rivers, a point guard throughout his career. "When I woke up in the morning and could barely get out of bed because my back hurt so badly, that tells me I paid my dues somewhere."

Feud with Magic goes way back

Karl's feud with the Magic is nothing new.

He was involved in a spat with then-Magic center Shaquille O'Neal emanating from the All-Star Game. Karl, then with the Sonics, coached the Western Conference team in the game, and O'Neal blamed Karl for going overboard in making sure he didn't dominate the game. Karl was booed the next time he brought the Sonics to Central Florida.

He criticized Magic management for being "disloyal" to the overachieving cast of players the Magic used in Rivers' first season.

He was critical of the Magic last season during their first-round playoff series when the Magic decided to stay in nearby Chicago instead of practicing in Milwaukee between Games 1 and 2.

He was critical of the national attention the Magic received in Rivers first season despite being a .500 team. His Bucks, who were better, received little national attention.

Rivers has called Karl "a whiner" and criticized Karl when the Bucks waived veteran Scott Williams just days before this season began so they could sign Anthony Mason. "The next time George starts talking about loyalty, go ask Scott Williams what he thinks," Rivers said at the time. "Don't give me a loyalty speech about my team and then go out and do what you did to Scott Williams."

Bucks have Magic's number

Although the Karl/Rivers tension may become the focus tonight, the importance of the game has risen considerably. The Bucks have been disappointing this season after a strong start.

The Magic have won five in a row, and the teams are battling for the No. 4 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Bucks have won 10 consecutive regular-season games over the Magic and won last season's playoff series 3-1. No other team in the league has dominated the Magic so thoroughly in recent years.

"I don't think any of us are worried about what George Karl says," Magic veteran Monty Williams said. "We have to find a way to beat that team. Sometimes George is a lot like Karl Malone. He says things, but no one pays attention because you know where it's coming from. He's just mad about something or other."

Karl said much of his frustration stems from the inability of his longtime assistant, Terry Stotts, to even get an interview for an NBA head-coaching job.

Rivers has become known around the league as a player's coach, and the Magic hope to use that as a recruiting tool for free agents in the future. Karl, conversely, is extremely critical of his players.

"George gets old sometimes," Rivers said. "He has problems with players. I think he forgets sometimes that he played in the NBA. I try not to take what he says too seriously.

"Until he actually wins something, I'm going to listen to . . . guys who actually have won a title."

Tim Povtak can be reached at tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com.