Karl, Junior

We mustn't let the season's mounting miseries prevent us from welcoming the Warriors' newest player. Coby Karl, the son of Nuggets head coach (and former Warriors skipper) George Karl, certainly made his presence felt last night... he recorded six points, six assists and six fouls in 24 minutes, and he and CJ badly outplayed the starting guards. Was Karl's strong performance a harbinger of things to come, or just the latest fluky good start by an overmatched D-Leaguer?

Karl graduated from Boise State in '07. He joined the Lakers as an undrafted free agent that fall, appearing in a handful of games between stints in the D-League; he then spent much of last season with Joventut de Badalona in Spain, where he played alongside this Ricky Rubio fella you may have heard of. He made the Cavs' roster in training camp this year, only to be waived shortly after New Year's. In the 20 games he appeared in for the Lakers and Cavs, he was on the court for a total of 76 minutes. His Warriors debut accounts for 24% of his career minutes total, 17% of his career point total, 40% of his career assist total, and an amusing 60% of his career personal foul total. We're not going to learn much from his NBA numbers so far.

He has, however, logged 44 games in the D-League, with impressive results. In fact, it's worth comparing said results with those of another Warrior. The top line represents Karl's career D-League averages; the bottom line represents the averages of Kelenna Azubuike, a similarly-sized player, in his 12 D-League games.

CK: 37.8 minutes, 19.2 points (.482 FG%, .391 3P%, .816 FT%), 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.4 blocks, 3.1 turnovers, 3.0 fouls

KA: 39.2 minutes, 26.0 points (.516 FG%, .485 3P%, .794 FT%), 5.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.6 blocks, 2.7 turnovers, 2.2 fouls

If Karl can produce even half as well as 'Buike at the NBA level, he'll obviously be a pretty stellar addition. The question, as you might imagine of someone whose genetic makeup is 50% George Karl, is whether he has the athleticism to hang. This was Kevin Pelton's take on him a year ago, and seems to be the basis of Scott Schroeder's skepticism now.

We just can't know how capable he'll end up being, but I think it's safe to say he'll get a more sustained chance to prove himself on the Warriors than even the other recent call-ups. 6'5" 215 with an outside shot and the ability to pass, Karl is the exact type of player that Nellie most enjoys. Moreover, the timing of his signing works in his favor: if he plays well enough to merit a second ten-day contract, it'd extend past the trade deadline, allowing the Warriors to create a roster spot for him by buying out Speedy and/or Devean.

I hope he pans out. He has no real place on this team once both Morrow and Azubuike are back healthy, but he could fill a real hole on the current wounded roster. Unlike Monta, Curry or CJ, he has the bulk to avoid getting outright demolished by bigger players on switches... that doesn't mean he won't get demolished, but he might not. And with only fitfully effective playmaking from both Curry and Monta, it can't hurt to be able to put another passer on the floor here and there. With Vlad scuffling, the position of Nellie's pet whiteboy is currently available. Coby Karl's as good of a choice for that position as any.