NBA: Nuggets' George Karl named Coach of the Year

Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl was named the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy, winning the title of NBA Coach of the Year for the first time in his 25-year NBA coaching career, the team announced Wednesday via press release.

The @denvernuggets' @coachkarl22 is the recipient of the Red Auerbach Trophy as the 2012-13 NBA Coach of the Year. — NBA (@NBA) May 8, 2013

2012-13 @nba Coach of the Year: George Karl is the NBA's active coaching wins leader (1,131) and ranks sixth all time — NBA History (@NBAHistory) May 8, 2013

Karl led the Nuggets to a franchise-record 57 wins and the number three seed in the Western Conference. Unfortunately for the team, injuries, particularly to gunner Danilo Gallinari, prevented them from advancing, as they lost to the sixth-ranked Golden State Warriors in six games. In the release, Karl is quoted as saying, “I am honored and energized to represent coaching and be their ambassador as coach of the year and continue to symbolize the great coaching there is in the NBA. “There are probably seven or eight guys who are deserving of it and another 10 or 15 other coaches who have done a great job and aren’t getting any recognition.” Despite having the third-youngest roster in the NBA, the Nuggets led the league in scoring, offensive rebounds, fast break points, turnover points and points in the paint, the release detailed. Denver also won a team-record 38 home games up high at the Pepsi Center, while on a personal level, Karl notched his 1,100th victory in the season. He is sixth overall on the all-time list of NBA coaching wins. Coming in second place is Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, followed by New York Knicks mentor Mike Woodson, and last year's winner Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs. -  AMD, GMA News