George Karl's Life Partner Scolds Him After Losses

Though she's always there to support the Nuggets' head coach as he deals with his son's cancer, Kim Van Deraa, Karl's 'life partner' isn't afraid to let him know what she thinks of his team's shortcomings after certain games.

The former college basketball player is always on Karl's side, but occasionally gets in his face.

When Karl emerged from the locker room in Chicago and saw Van Deraa, he shook his head. "OK, I know what you're going to say," he said.

What she was going to say was: "Chicago had 21 offensive rebounds to our 10. And they got the winning basket on an offensive rebound tip-in (by Tyrus Thomas with 2/10ths of a second remaining). You can't let that happen. You got to get those rebounds."

Poor George Karl. Not only does he have to find shots for Iverson, Anthony, and a reborn J.R. Smith during the course of a game (using just one ball), but he must also worry about wifey busting his balls afterwards. Plus his kid is sick. If I had one, he would get my vote for coach of the year.

As for Karl's life partner (seriously, whatever happened to 'wife' or 'girlfriend'?), maybe she should hang out with Avery Johnson and learn a thing or two about relaxation.