John Denton of the Florida Today reports: -- Orlando Magic head coach Doc Rivers said the agent for George Karl called this week to issue an apology for the Milwaukee coach's recent comments that he was "anointed."

Rivers shrugged off the apology from Brett Adams, but did say he was beyond the issue that is sure to be debated heavily when the Magic host the Bucks on Tuesday night in a nationally televised game.

Karl, who has sparred verbally with Rivers for the past three seasons, is upset that the Magic coach got his job without serving first as an assistant. Karl also implied that the only reason Rivers got his job was his race and added "now there's going to be four or five more anointments of the young Afro-American coach."

"Big deal," Rivers said of the apology, as he threw both palms in the air.

Rivers also joked that his staff's nickname for Karl is "Naismith" because of his propensity for expounding on a variety of basketball issues.

Milwaukee assistant coach Mike Thibault, who was in Orlando scouting Friday's game, said the Bucks are expecting a hostile environment when they play the Magic. "We're going to come out about 40 yards behind George when we walk out on the court," Thibault joked.