Originally published Friday, May 2, 2008 at 12:00 AM

NBA | Denver Nuggets coach George Karl to take tougher approach

Another first-round flameout by the Denver Nuggets has convinced coach George Karl he has to be tougher on his players next season. "I think the players...

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DENVER — Another first-round flameout by the Denver Nuggets has convinced coach George Karl he has to be tougher on his players next season.

"I think the players have kind of done it their way more often than doing it my way," the ex-Sonics coach said of the past two seasons. "As an organization, as a coaching staff, as a team, we're going to have to address that next year."

The Nuggets, who lacked defensive discipline and often were reluctant to share the basketball, were swept by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, becoming the first 50-win team in NBA history to get whitewashed in the postseason.

Still, the team has said Karl's job is safe, and Karl confirmed his intention to return next season. He has two years and $6 million left on his contract.

The Nuggets expect Allen Iverson back next season unless he opts out of his contract. He has said he wants to return to the Nuggets and loves playing in Denver.

Karl said he'll begin meeting with the team's management next week to discuss the roster. The Nuggets have the 20th pick in the draft next month, and some changes are expected in the team's $80 million-plus payroll.

Notes

• Ex-player Dennis Rodman, 46, was arrested for allegedly hitting a woman at a Century City hotel in Los Angeles. He was arrested Wednesday night after officers answered a report of a domestic dispute.

• Bruce Ratner, the owner of the New Jersey Nets, insisted his team is not for sale, shooting down a report that investors were being assembled to buy the franchise and move it to Newark, N.J.

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