Karl Admits To Pressure, Paranoia And The Uncertainty Of Next Year

Seattle SuperSonics coach George Karl disclosed Friday that he’s under tremendous pressure.

In reference to recommendations he would have made if he was consulted about recent lighting changes in the Tacoma Dome, he said: “I don’t know. It depends what stage of paranoia I was in.”

When asked if he’s amused by his paranoia, Karl said: “No, it’s unsettling to your family … when your Dad calls you on the phone.”

Karl’s father recently telephoned his son to discuss media speculation regarding the younger Karl’s alleged lack of job security.

“The most unsettling stuff is about getting fired and ‘you have to win,’ ” Karl said. “I’ve had that conversation with a few people.” Walker said:

Heavy burden

Karl was equally blunt about the pressure all the Sonics feel as they attempt to move past the first round in the wake of their first-round, upset loss to Denver last season.

“Hell, yes, there’s an albatross to get off our backs,” he said. “I think we’re professionals and we’re very serious about what we’ve done this year. There’s not much we can do about it except play. Playing is going to answer those questions.”

The Sonics lost the best-of-five series to the Nuggets after taking a 2-0 lead. The similarity between Game 1 1994 (a 24-point Sonics victory over Denver) and Game 1 1995 (a 25-point triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers) was not lost on the fourth-year Sonics coach.

“I don’t think there’s much we don’t think about,” he said. “We meet at 8 o’clock in the morning and we talk about everything … what (Lakers coach) Del Harris is thinking, how the game was refereed, who the referees might be tomorrow (today).”