Karl Says Billups Should Be an All-Star

DENVER -- Perhaps Denver Nuggets coach George Karl will recommend to the NBA office some game film be watched.

No, not because he's complaining about officiating. But to tout Denver point guard Chauncey Billups to be a likely needed injury replacement for New Orleans guard Chris Paul for the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas.

"I think Sunday afternoon (at San Antonio) was probably good enough (for Billups to make it),'' Karl said when asked if needs to do any more campaigning to get Billups on the West squad after he was snubbed last week by the coaches in voting for reserves. "I'm sure there are some deserving people, but I'd like to see us have another representative (after starting forward Carmelo Anthony).''

NBA commissioner David Stern would name a replacement for Paul, all but certain to miss the All-Star Game due to a knee injury. A league official said Monday the NBA must hold off for the Hornets to confirm that Paul is officially out of the game.

Karl was asked if he could be sure Stern watched Sunday when Billups had 25 points and 11 assists in the 103-89 nationally televised win over the Spurs.

"I have not confirmed that,'' Karl said. "But I'm sure of his associates were (watching).''

Of course, Karl hopes Stern and associates weren't watching Billups on Monday. He shot just 6-of-25, although he did score 23 points in Denver's 112-109 overtime win over Sacramento.

Put it all together and Billups looks to be the obvious choice to replace Paul. He averaged 23.7 points in January, the most for any month in his 13-year career. He's averaging 19.4 points, on pace to be a career best, for the team with the NBA's third-best record (33-15).

"If it does happen, I'd be honored to do that,'' said Billups, in line for a fifth straight All-Star berth. "If it doesn't, I'll be honored to go to Cabo (San Lucas in Mexico). It's a no-lose situation. My wife (Piper) is probably rooting for Cabo. Either way is fine. ... Any award I've ever gotten is because the team has been so good and not just because I'm on fire playing so great. So it's a reflection on the team.''

Billups said he was hampered Monday by a twisted left ankle suffered late in the first quarter, although he doesn't believe it will pose any future problems. Otherwise, Billups has been on fire and his team has been playing great.

Karl, whose Nuggets have won 10 of their past 11, was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for going 12-3 in January. Last Thursday, he was assured of being the West's coach in the All-Star Game.

"(Billups) would be fun coaching,'' he said. "Then I can really relax. He knows my plays better than I do.''

Despite Denver's recent success, Karl remains in a stalemate whether he will sign a contract extension or become a free agent when his current deal runs out this summer. But Karl told FanHouse recent reports are incorrect that negotiations have ceased.

"Nothing has been cut off,'' said Karl, although he said he hasn't talked to his representatives in "five or six days.''

As first reported by FanHouse, Karl has been offered a three-year contract extension, worth just over $11 million but with the third year not guaranteed. However, sources have said Karl's camp has believed the deal should be for a few million more bucks and have a better situation for the third season.

Karl has said there needs to be a drop-dead date during the season when, if no deal is signed, negotiations are tabled until the summer. Karl, who has consistently said he wants to return to Denver but doesn't want contract negotiations to be a distraction as the playoffs approach, said Monday a drop-date has yet to be set.

For now, Karl is honing in on Denver's final five games before All-Star Weekend. They won't be easy, with Phoenix, the Lakers, Utah, Dallas and San Antonio on the docket.

And he's excited about watching Golden State games after his son, Coby Karl, joined the Warriors over the weekend on a 10-day contract. Coby Karl had six points and six rebounds while playing down the stretch in Golden State's 112-104 loss Sunday at Oklahoma City, even logging enough minutes (24) to foul out.

"I called (Warriors coach) Don Nelson to say the gift you gave me is something I've been waiting for a long time,'' Karl said of Coby Karl playing meaningful minutes late-game minutes for the first time in his two-year NBA career. "Not only did my son play well, but he finished the game (he actually fouled out with 21 seconds left). ... They ran like four plays for him. That's more than plays than I got run for me my whole career.''

Eventually, Karl, who plans to bring all his half dozen or so assistants to Dallas even though NBA rules call for just three on the bench, will turn to coaching in his fourth All-Star Game.

"It's going to intriguing to see David Stern, (Dallas Cowboys owner) Jerry Jones and (Dallas Mavericks) owner Mark Cuban, and what they can cook up for a weekend,'' Karl said of the All-Star Game, to be played before more than 85,000 at Cowboys Stadium. "I'm sure it's going to be really interesting.''

The Nuggets will find it even more interesting if Stern soon calls Billups' name.

"I hope so,'' said Anthony, who missed his fifth straight game Monday due to a sprained left ankle but is likely to return Wednesday against the Suns. "But I feel bad for Chris.''