George Karl: I’ll Let Rondo Play With Freedom

“Our conversations [have indicated] that he’s (Rajon Rondo) a basketball IQ guy who is going to challenge us as coaches because I think he knows the game,” (Sacramento Kings Coach George) Karl said. “He might have some opinions that we’ll have give and take on. He’s an All-Star player. He’s a triple-double machine when he’s playing well. He likes to lead teams. He leads teams with a spirit that has a toughness to it.”

Asked how he sold Rondo on Sacramento after Rondo’s bad experience last season with Dallas coach Rick Carlisle, Karl said: “I just sold him on how I like to let my guys have freedom. I talked to him once before he signed and it’s going to be fun coaching him. I think he wants to lead our team but he also wants to be part of the decision-making, and that can be somewhat combustible but it can also work at a high level because I think we’re all trying to make the team the best.”

Karl pointed out his history of dealing with mercurial point guards during his 30-plus-year coaching career. The list is impressive.“I had Gary Payton [in Seattle], Sam Cassell [in Milwaukee], Allen Iverson [in Denver], Chauncey Billups [in Denver]. Chauncey is challenging,” Karl said. “Andre Miller is probably not as challenging but he’ll be stubborn and wanting me to do it his way. I think all really good point guards have a trust and belief in themselves that sometimes causes conflict with the coaches.”

Source: Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe