SALT LAKE CITY -- NBA Commissioner David Stern defended the league's record on hiring black coaches Thursday and lightheartedly questioned what Milwaukee coach George Karl was thinking when he made comments about Orlando's Doc Rivers.

In a magazine article, Karl complained that one of his assistants was being passed over for head coaching jobs while Rivers had been "anointed" a good coach. Karl later apologized to Rivers and called his comments "stupid."

The commissioner agreed.

"I don't know what was in George's drink that day," said Stern, on hand for Utah's game against the Washington Wizards. "I don't know what was in the water. George is a pretty bright guy."

Rivers and Karl shook hands before the teams played this week in Orlando.

Stern said NBA teams have a proven record of hiring black coaches, but said race isn't a factor for league owners when they fill an opening. He said they're simply looking for the best candidate.

"It's a subject where we're very proud. Our owners want the `W,"' Stern said.

Stern, who is white, also warned against criticism if black coaches are fired, saying it comes with the territory for any coach.

"We're not going to become a worse league or worse people if there are three firings and they all happen to be African American," Stern said. "We're not going to be better people if three hires are all African American."