Stotts: Karl 'needs to stay in his own lane' talking about Lillard
George Karl's escapade to burn every bridge in the NBA gained even more traction Wednesday afternoon.
Last week he was putting Carmelo Anthony on blast for his character and his lack of leadership abilities, a few days ago he ranted about player's doping in the NBA, and today he adjusted his sights to the Portland Trail Blazers - Damian Lillard to be specific.
Related: Karl: Lillard, Anthony may share similar flaws
In an interview with New York Magazine, Karl said that he is irritated with the off-court endeavors of players and how it affects their on-court performance, citing Lillard as an example. In the same interview, Karl also went as far as to suggest that Lillard is the main reason to blame for the team's early 13-20 record.
"I think their coach, Terry Stotts, is a great coach," Karl told David Marchese. "So I'm going to say the problem is Lillard. They were a together, connected, committed team last year. This year, they're not. What changed?"
Stotts - who has a long history with Karl - didn't hesitate when stepping up to defend his young star.
"I owe a lot to George. I got my start in coaching with George. I wouldn't be here if not for him," Stotts told Chris Haynes of ESPN. "But when it comes to my team and my players, he needs to stay in his own lane.
"He doesn't know Damian Lillard. He doesn't know how coachable he is. He doesn't know what a great teammate he is. He doesn't know how much Damian cares about winning and how important he is to this franchise. I thought his comments, however well intended they may have been - which I can't understand - I can't tolerate."
Stotts played for Karl in the 1980s as the star player on the Montana Golden Nuggets - a CBA team - and began his coaching career under Karl as an assistant for the Albany Patroons of the CBA. Stotts also was given his NBA coaching start as an assistant for Karl in Seattle and Milwaukee.
"He's a successful coach," Stotts said of Karl. "That being said, if he wants to diminish his chances for the Hall of Fame, if he wants to undermine his chances of being a head coach again in this league, if he wants to settle old scores with GMs or players or whoever else, that's his prerogative."