1996 Seattle Supersonics - George Karl Playbook

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1996 Seattle Supersonics - George Karl Playbook by Jordan Ingram only $10

Heading into 1996, George Karl was entering his fifth season as the Head Coach of the Seattle Supersonics. After
two-straight first round upsets, the Sonics were trying to shake a reputation for faltering in the playoffs. The Sonics
entered the playoffs as the Number One seed in the Western Conference and were paced by Defensive Player of
the Year Gary Payton and Second Team All-NBA selection Shawn Kemp.

Unlike the previous two seasons, the Sonics cruised through the first two rounds of the playoffs with a combined 7-1
record. After a hard-fought seven game series win over the Utah Jazz in the Western Conference Finals, the Sonics
headed into the next round with momentum. Waiting for the Sonics in the NBA Finals was the Chicago Bulls led by
Michael Jordan looking to regain their status as the best team in the league. Despite losing the first three games of
the series, the Sonics briefly rebounded in Games Four and Five before bowing out to the Bulls in six games.
Despite the finals defeat, the Sonics team triggered the legacy of many of its members. Gary Payton became a
Naismith Hall of Famer and featured three future NBA Head Coaches (Nate McMillan, Dwayne Casey and Terry
Stotts).