Acts of "defiance" and "rebellion" in the NBA so far
this season have "sent shock waves throughout the league,"
according to USA TODAY's Greg Boeck, who wonders, "What
gives in the NBA these contrary, stormy days? Are players
staging a Mutiny on the Bench? Are the NBA's Captain Blighs
losing control? Exactly who's steering the ship, anyway?"
Nuggets F/C Terry Davis, whose team boycotted practice last
week and threatened similar action for a recent game after
coach Dan Issel yelled at F Raef LaFrentz, said, "The
inmates have really taken over the asylum. It's really
different [than in the past]. Guys are selfish. They don't
work hard. They don't come to practice. I don't think they
have love for the game anymore." But NBA Deputy
Commissioner Russ Granik "says he doesn't see a trend" in
the conduct of players and coaches. Granik: "I think a
number of recently cited examples have been blown out of
proportion" (USA TODAY, 12/21). Heat President/coach Pat
Riley commented on the state of the game and replied to
recent comments made by Bucks coach George Karl that the NBA
game "is at a low ebb in terms of excitement." Riley: "I
don't agree with that. When everybody is spending time in
judgement, instead of just doing their job, that's what
makes it a bad game, I think. We all have opinions about
it, one way or another. Players should play. Coaches
should coach. The commissioner should try to market it
better. Everybody do their jobs. When we're all telling
people how bad it is, people are going to begin to believe
that" (Ft. Lauderdale SUN-SENTINEL, 12/21).
