courtesy of lesterdog from the nytimes board:

> Seems to be happening to young coaches, old coaches, black coaches, white coaches, east coast coaches, west coast coaches, all around the league, not just guys with bladder problems and rings

> Philly (iverson and webber showed up late and did not join the team on the bench)

"If they're not playing tonight, they're probably not playing tomorrow," Cheeks said.

Cheeks never said Iverson or Webber was not going to play for the 20 minutes he talked to reporters before he was told they had not arrived at the Wachovia Center. He looked dejected when he returned and slumped in his seat, looking much like he did 11 days ago when he remained at the postgame press conference podium, ice bottle on his head, with the lights turned out.

When asked if he was disappointed in the duo, Cheeks said, "I'm done man."

> Portland

the Blazers' two veteran stars, Randolph and Miles, seemed to tune out many of the coach's messages. Randolph showed up late for shootarounds and a photo shoot, and sometimes pegged the reasons on poor communication with McMillan. Miles readily turned to his knee surgery to explain his deteriorating performances whenever his effort was questioned. The line between who bought into McMillan's coaching and who didn't divided the team late in the season. .

After not playing in the first half in Los Angeles, Miles changed into street clothes and made himself unavailable for the second half. "That's not what basketball players do," coach Nate McMillan said.

Actually, in Portland, that IS what they do. Miles also blew off a team shootaround earlier this season. Zach Randolph has been late to four shootarounds and was AWOL when the Blazers assembled for their team photo Saturday.

McMillan will earn every penny of his five-year, $27.5 million contract trying to straighten out these guys. "You teach what you believe in, and you try and get your team, your players, to believe in those teachings," he said. "Some guys get on board, some guys don't."

> McMillan by the way has used 32 lineups this season.

> Three coaches having problems.
> Three ex-point guards.
>
> Larry was all time aba assist leader.
> Nate tough as nails defender.
> Mo T-brains, d, everything.
>
> Leaders looking for floor leaders like themselves.
>
> Fire 'em.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 04-18-2006 11:34 PM]