“I am honored and energized to represent coaching and be their ambassador as coach of the year and continue to symbolize the great coaching there is in the NBA,” Karl said in a statement. “There are probably seven or eight guys who are deserving of it and another 10 or 15 other coaches who have done a great job and aren’t getting any recognition.”
It’s the first time Karl has won the award in 25 seasons in charge. He joined Doug Moe as the only Denver coaches to earn the honor.
George Karl of the Denver Nuggets and his partner Kim Van Deraa pose for a photo with the Red Auerbach Trophy after being named 2012-2013 NBA Coach of the Year on May 8, 2013 at the Pepsi Center. (credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
George Karl of the Denver Nuggets and his partner Kim Van Deraa pose for a photo with the Red Auerbach Trophy after being named 2012-2013 NBA Coach of the Year on May 8, 2013 at the Pepsi Center. (credit: Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Nuggets surged down the stretch, winning a team-record 15 straight at one point and going 24-4 after the All-Star break. They also won a franchise-best 38 games at the Pepsi Center.
Denver relied on its up-tempo offense and a deep bench to wear out opponents. The team led the league in scoring, fast-break points and points in the paint, with a roster that hardly contained a household name. Speedy point guard Ty Lawson led the team in scoring with 16.7 points a game, which was 31st in the league.

The Nuggets struggled in the playoffs against a Warriors squad led by Stephen Curry, in part because they were without one of their top players, Danilo Gallinari, who was sidelined with a torn ACL.

Although Karl’s best season in the Mile High City has earned him critical acclaim, it’s also come with some criticism. He’s been chided on local radio after a fourth straight first-round exit.
Denver’s first-round flameout comes after the Western Conference seemed more wide open with Oklahoma City losing All-Star Russell Westbrook to a season-ending knee injury.

George Karl of the Denver Nuggets has his photo taken by his partner Kim Van Deraa with the Red Auerbach Trophy after being named 2012-2013 NBA Coach of the Year on May 8, 2013 at the Pepsi Center.

After the postseason elimination, Karl called it one of the most disappointing defeats in his nine seasons in Denver.

Karl boasts a 1,131-756 record with the Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, Seattle SuperSonics, Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers. He’s also turned in 21 straight non-losing seasons, which is tied with Phil Jackson for the longest streak in league history.

Moe won the award for the Nuggets in 1987-88, when his team went 54-28.