Originally published Monday, April 18, 2011 at 8:02 PM

Ex-Sonics coach George Karl says he wishes Seattle still had an NBA team

Denver Nuggets coach George Karl, who coached the Sonics from 1992 to 1998, is among those who wish there was still an NBA franchise in Seattle.

By The Associated Press

OKLAHOMA CITY — Denver Nuggets coach George Karl is among those who wish there was still an NBA team in Seattle.

Karl, who coached the Sonics from 1992 to 1998 and had a 384-150 record, brought up the subject Monday as the Nuggets prepared to play Game 2 of their first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which relocated from Seattle three years ago.

Karl, who in 1996 guided the Sonics to their last appearance in the NBA Finals, said he is "a huge fan of Oklahoma City, other than you took my team out of Seattle."

"My thing is, I think Seattle deserves an NBA franchise. My hope is they'll figure that out," Karl, 59, added. "It doesn't seem like it's moving in that direction from my information back in Seattle, so it makes me sad. Seattle is a big part of my life and my career, and my daughter still lives outside of Seattle. I love the city of Seattle. Other than Denver, it's probably my favorite place I've coached."

An unpleasant divorce from Seattle has meant artifacts from the franchise's previous home aren't on display in Oklahoma City.

Karl stayed away from entering the debate over whether the franchise's past should be recognized in its present home.

"That's a sensitive bag of worms right there, baby," he said. "You're asking me to answer that question in Oklahoma City, in the owner of Oklahoma City's own arena? I'd rather answer that question after Seattle gets another franchise."

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