Carolina Conflict Has Karl Spinning Out of Control

Meanwhile, at the other end of the food chain. . . .

It’s another unlovely little war for the all-heart-all-the-time Philadelphia 76ers, facing yet another Game 7 against another seemingly superior force, for the privilege of being served up on a tray to the Lakers.

Not that the NBA finals figure to surpass this series, which has been fun for everyone but the combatants.

On one hand, you have the 76ers, taping themselves together for one more inspirational effort while Coach Larry Brown, their endearing neurotic, gushes at their unquenchable spirit.

On the other, you have the Milwaukee Bucks, who gun them down every other game while Coach George Karl, their endearing paranoid, does his imitation of Humphrey Bogart, rolling those steel marbles in “The Caine Mutiny.”

This has been a hard one for Karl, starting when Brown, his fellow North Carolina alum/rival, received his coach-of-the-year award, with their surrogate father, Dean Smith, flying in to lavish praise on Larry.

Brown has always been Smith’s boy. It was Dean who personally led the drive to hire him as coach of the Tar Heels last summer.

Karl was more like Dean’s rebellious long-haired son, back in the days when George had hair.

Nevertheless, Karl, who harbors more than one delusion, has always seen himself as Smith’s heir. George even demanded a clause in his new $7-million-a-year extension that says he can leave if offered the job, which must enchant the current Tar Heel coach, Matt Doherty.

Imagine Karl’s further chagrin when Allen Iverson shot 33 for 120 in the first four games . . . and sat one out . . . and the Bucks still trailed, 3-2 . . . and the media celebrated 76er courage while noting his team’s constant squeals of protest.

It got so bad, Karl began suggesting a media plot to lionize that big faker, Iverson.

“There’s a lot of spin and perception in our world today,” Karl said, posing himself as the antidote, as usual. “Conspiracy theories are out there. Are you sure Iverson is hurt? We have guys who are going to have surgery at the end of the season but they’re not hurt.”

As the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Dale Hofmann noted, this raised the question of whether Iverson “spent Game 3 in his hotel room because it had HBO.”

Before Game 5, Karl got the word the 76ers’ Eric Snow would play despite a newly discovered crack in his surgically repaired ankle.

“It’s a miracle,” said Karl. “I’m just tired of hearing about it.”

The 76ers then wiped out a 16-point deficit, got five free throws on two flagrant fouls and a technical and won by a single point, setting up Karl’s epic news conference.

Reporter: “Coach, you guys seemed to have control of the game, especially throughout most of the first half. What changes or . . .”

Karl: “I don’t agree with you. I’m not going to talk about coaching strategy.”

Reporter: “On the technical and two flagrant fouls, it seemed like the game turned. When you look back at this, will you say that losing your composure is what lost this game?”

Karl: “No.”

Reporter: “Are you concerned about those incidents?”

Karl: “I love my team. My team played their [butt] off. They fought and battled and competed so good and so well, you should be proud of ‘em. You all should be proud of ‘em. And to say that [stuff ticks] me off!”

No one was brave enough to ask another question so Karl stomped off, ending the session at the 58-second mark.

Amazingly, George is the writers’ tab as coach on the All-Interview team, although he may be a long shot to go back-to-back now.

Karl is actually a fine coach, the problem being his players tuned him out long ago. The Bucks bear little resemblance to Karl’s Seattle teams, which played buzz saw defense.

The Bucks don’t defend or rebound or even pass to one another much. When Karl asked point guard Sam (“I’m going to be me all day long”) Cassell to give the ball up, Sam told him to suit up if he wanted to see more passes.

Karl complained for years about the one-dimensional Glenn Robinson, who’s playing better than he ever has but remains an unusual, mid-range-only player who doesn’t go to the basket but isn’t much of a three-point shooter.

Big Dog didn’t shoot a free throw for four games, surprising only the Bucks’ conspiracy theorists. Finally Ray Allen, their best player and guy, came right out and accused the league of putting in the fix.

This is an annual losers’ refrain that overlooks tiny-market Indiana in last spring’s finals (after eliminating the New York Knicks), San Antonio’s 1999 title (after sweeping the Lakers) and David Stern suspending New York’s Patrick Ewing for the deciding game of the 1998 series against Miami for strolling a few feet onto the floor during a fight.

Not that Karl has been running his mouth too long but now his players and the town, in general, have swallowed his paranoia whole.

Before Game 6 at Milwaukee, he was bathed in a spotlight and accorded an ovation worthy of a conquering hero.

Not that Brown is happy to be in against someone wackier than he is, but as Larry noted with amusement: “If there’s a conspiracy to put us in the NBA finals, I’m all for it.”

The Bucks think this is rough? Try winning today and see what the powers that be have in store for you later in the week.

Faces and Figures

Oy, Canada: Toronto’s Antonio Davis, considered the linchpin to re-signing Vince Carter in 2003, has opted out of his deal paying $13.8 million the next two seasons. Davis has a home in Orlando and wrote an open letter to Raptor fans, thanking them for their support but noting: “What if another employer offers you things that will give you and your family more peace of mind? Do you refuse because you’re loyal to your current employer? Of course not. You make a decision that will make you and your family happy.” . . . Davis also told Fox’s Jim Rome he was worried about his children’s education because “Canada teaches a lot of different things. You know, the metric system, when they go to school every day and they’re singing the [Canadian] national anthem.” . . . Wrote the Toronto Star’s Garth Woolsey: “As an American-born colleague here at the Star noted yesterday: ‘If Antonio’s so worried about them not learning all about American culture, why doesn’t he just make them watch “The Simpsons”?’ ” . . . Meanwhile, the Magic is reportedly looking for takers for Bo Outlaw, Pat Garrity and/or Michael Doleac to create cap space for Davis.

The SuperSonics are rethinking the Gary Payton situation, noting he’s two seasons from free agency, which means they might be wise to move him while they can. Payton, looking as if he’s trying to force their hand, just asked for a four-year extension through age 38. “Gary is one of the more valuable players in the league and he only has two years left on his contract,” said his agent, Aaron Goodwin. “He’d like to have a sense of security from the Sonics. And if they don’t believe in Gary enough to extend his contract, then maybe it is time to start exploring a move.” . . . Adding to speculation the SuperSonics might be in a rebuilding mood, Teflon-coated General Manager Wally Walker is moving up to chief executive, out of the line of fire. It was Walker who brought in the new owner, Starbucks magnate Howard Schultz, reportedly earning an equity stake in the process. . . . Bidders include: Miami will reportedly offer Brian Grant for Payton. The Knicks will offer the usual Allan Houston and/or Marcus Camby package. . . . Rebuilding the Spurs: Sean Elliott is expected to retire and Avery Johnson, a free agent, may not be invited back. Otherwise, the Spurs expect to stay intact. “A month ago we were leading the league and things looked great,” Steve Kerr said. “Now we’re getting our butts kicked and it’s ‘What do you do?’ Which doesn’t mean we don’t need to tweak things a little. Probably get a couple of guys who can defend Kobe [Bryant], though I don’t know who those guys are. If you know, let me know.”