Milwaukee Bucks coach George Karl has changed his tune. In last year's playoffs, he would not give the Sixers the credit they deserved for beating his Bucks in the Eastern Conference Finals. Instead he chose to focus on trash-talking and conspiracy theories.

Phil Jasner of the daily News writes that Karl has some respect for the Sixers after Sunday's 89-87 victory over the Bucks without Allen Iverson.

"Sometimes I think they like playing without Allen," Karl said. "I know Eric Snow right now is loving his game, developing opportunities. [At this point] you've got to play at a playoff level. The focus is stronger. Larry [Brown, Sixers coach] likes to play that type of game, where every possession is committed, where there's serious discipline, which we probably don't do enough of in the regular season. We're a different team, kind of an offensive team; they're kind of blue-collar, a tough son-of-a-gun team."

Only Karl didn't say son-of-a-gun. And he meant it in only the most complimentary way.
 
The Sixers and Bucks meet in a rematch tonight at the Bradley Center.