The question has never been whether Milwaukee coach George Karl has the right to publicly blast his players.

Of course he does.

That is part of his job, his obligation, especially in times like these when the Bucks are failing to play to their potential.

The question is whether he should wield that verbal hammer more judiciously.

At what point does repeat criticism lose its effectiveness? Do diminishing returns set in after 10 or 20 or 30 rips? Does he run the risk of the players eventually tuning him out?

Maybe elsewhere, discretionary behavior would be advisable. Here, nobody is going anywhere.