Here in Milwaukee, Karl has four assistants and one assistant / scout. He also hired a consultant, longtime friend and colleague Tim Grgurich, this season. Gerald Oliver, the former Marquette assistant who was once Grunfeld's academic adviser at Tennessee, has been Karl's special-assignments coach since last year.

And that doesn't count the gaggle of associates, acquaintances, CBA buddies and neighborhood pals from Pittsburgh who occasionally drop by the Cousins Center for any advice and support they might lend. Then there is Rick Majerus, who seems to show up whenever he is not busy with his college team.

Karl often claims to employ the finest staff in the NBA, and you cannot argue with the results. He is also of the opinion that large staffs are necessary for two reasons: player development and preparation.

Given the changing economic climate in the NBA, teams search hard for bargains, second-round draft picks or undrafted free agents who might, with a little instruction, become part of the rotation. Such players, however, get little attention on the practice floor from the head coach. With practice time at a premium in the NBA, Karl concentrates on the handful of stars who can win a game for him.