Kings' Karl, citing history with stubborn guards, to let Rondo take reins

The Sacramento Kings, in their quest to create the NBA equivalent of the "Suicide Squad," united two of the league's most flammable personalities this summer.

Sacramento paired Rajon Rondo - who bitterly clashed with Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle a year ago - with another controversial figure in George Karl, who's already at odds with DeMarcus Cousins, according to reports.

On the surface, the Rondo-Karl pairing could end horribly, but the coach says he'll embrace his mercurial point guard.

"I just sold him on how I like to let my guys have freedom," Karl said of his conversations with Rondo in an interview with Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "I talked to him once before he signed and it’s going to be fun coaching him."

Freedom was an issue for Rondo under Carlisle. Rondo often brushed off Carlisle's strict play calls, which usually led to long spells on the bench.

But Karl says he's happy to have Rondo's fingerprints on the team, saying: "We can play with a lot of freedom and creativity but also play without turnovers ... 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."

Ultimately, as Karl sees it, Rondo is just another link in a long line of stubborn, but talented guards under his watch.

"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."