George Karl’s controversial reputation among former NBA players is once again under the spotlight after Sacramento Kings assistant coach Nancy Lieberman brought attention to his past behavior. That conversation prompted Michael Jordan’s former teammate, Ethan Thomas, to recall his own troubling encounter with the veteran coach.
In a detailed Instagram post, Thomas shared what he described as a direct, racially charged remark Karl made to the late Robert “Tractor” Traylor during their time in the league.
“Where’s the fat Black kid? Is he somewhere eating some chicken? Is he somewhere fat and greasy? Get his fat butt out here so he can run some of that chicken grease off,” Thomas quoted Karl as saying.
“I heard George Karl say that to Tractor Traylor with my own two ears,” Thomas emphasized.
Etan Thomas didn’t hold back in his caption either, reinforcing why so many former players have criticized Karl over the years.
“George Karl @coachkarl22 is exactly who multiple former players always said he was,” he wrote.
Karl, who ranks among the winningest coaches in NBA history, has still faced repeated public criticism from former players for his conduct. Carmelo Anthony, for instance, has openly called him out in the past, adding to a list of grievances that continue to follow the former coach.
Michael Jordan’s Mentality Drives Bulls’ New Guard Yuki Kawamura
Although Michael Jordan retired in 2003, his presence still shapes the Chicago Bulls’ identity. With the 2025-26 NBA season fast approaching, the Bulls have signed Yuki Kawamura, a dynamic 24-year-old point guard from Japan who takes inspiration from His Airness.
“Wearing this jersey means carrying history. That pushes me.”
Kawamura, who had a great outing in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, attracted plenty of NBA scouts who closely watched him play for the Yokohama B-Corsairs in Japan’s B.League.
Upon signing with the Bulls, he admitted that he grew up watching Jordan’s highlights on television in Fukuoka, Japan, and have drawn inspiration from the six-time NBA champion’s mentality.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
