With Dallas' 112-106 loss at the Phoenix Suns Thursday, the Nuggets (31-14, .689) have clinched at least a tie with the Mavericks (30-16, .652) for the second best record in the conference through Jan. 31. The Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson coached the West in last year's game and is not eligible for the honor this season. In the event of a tie, the coach who most recently manned the sideline in an All-Star Game is eliminated. The Mavericks' Rick Carlisle coached the East in the 2004 All-Star Game, while Karl last did so in 1998 for the West squad. Karl also was the West All-Star coach in 1994 and 1996.
In his six seasons at the helm for the Nuggets, Karl's 255 victories rank second in Denver franchise history (Doug Moe, 432), while his .620 winning percentage is unmatched. This season, Karl has guided the Nuggets to a tie for the best 45-game start in team history. The Nuggets have won their last eight.
The seventh winningest coach in NBA annals, Karl has amassed 964 victories in his 22 seasons in the NBA, including a streak of 17 straight seasons of .500 or better, which ranks third to Pat Riley (19, 1981-82 to 2001-02) and Phil Jackson (18, 1989-90-present) One of only 10 coaches in NBA history with 900 career wins, Karl is also only the 11th coach in league history to have coached 1,500 games. He has earned nine NBA Coach of the Month honors, fifth most in league history.
The coach of the East All-Stars will be determined by the team with the best record in the conference through games played Jan. 31. Cleveland's Mike Brown, who coached last year's East squad, is not eligible to coach this year's All-Star Game.
The NBA All-Star Game will broadcast live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide at 8 p.m. EST on Sunday, Feb. 14, from Arlington.
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