By MICHAEL HUNT
of the Journal Sentinel staff
Last Updated: March 20, 2002
Orlando, Fla. - Orlando coach Doc Rivers accepted George Karl's olive branch, saying he would be willing to meet with the Milwaukee coach to discuss their differences.

"Sure, what the hell," Rivers said Tuesday night before the Bucks played the Magic. "But not right now. I've got better things to do than sit with George Karl."

Karl, who has taken a lot of heat for criticizing Rivers in a recent Esquire magazine article, said Monday that he would like to sit down with Rivers in the off-season to personally convey his feelings. Karl reiterated that point Tuesday night.

"I hope that opportunity brings itself to a fruition," said Karl, who shook Rivers' hand on the court before Orlando beat Milwaukee, 101-91, Tuesday night. "But I don't want it to be a politically correct meeting. I want it to be a genuine meeting. We've had a few years of trash and fun and competition. What sticks in my mind is we've built a nice rivalry through it."

In the magazine article, Karl used Rivers to express his frustration that Bucks assistant Terry Stotts can't get hired as a head coach while others leap straight from the TV booth or playing court into coaching jobs. Karl called Rivers an "anointed one," adding that other young "Afro-American" coaches would also receive coaching jobs.

Rivers has since said he didn't consider Karl's statements as racist, but added he still has issues with Karl.

"Honestly, it's not as big as it's been played," Rivers said. "I did take offense, at which you guys didn't do a very good job of reporting in Milwaukee, about the things he did say. First of all, we've got to get him politically correct about 'Afro-American,' or whatever that was. I didn't appreciate that."

Said Karl: "I'm sorry for what has happened because of my comments. I should have been smarter in handling the situation. . . . I made a mistake. I'm sorry for who it hurt. I'm sorry it hurt the game of basketball. I have no desire to hurt a game that's been so very great and nice to me."

Rivers also said he was offended by Karl's assertion that former players like himself who get coaching jobs hadn't paid their dues.

"The guys who didn't play the game should never complain about guys paying dues," Rivers said. "I understand his frustrations for Terry. For 13 years I was running the pick-and-roll, not reading about it. You can't disrespect guys like that. That's like saying Oscar Robertson didn't know anything about the game. I always take offense to that."

Responded Karl: "Personally, if I was a general manager, I'd probably hire a player. I think players have an advantage. I wasn't a very good player, but I played. But I also think there's a bridge from player to coach.

"The guys who have jumped from the TV booth, a lot of those guys have done a damn good job. And there's probably going to be more of them. An owner has that right. I respect owners who are trying to make money and put a game of basketball on the court. But I still like the coaches that serve their time."