Coaches don mics for Mavs-Nugs game

DALLAS -- Listen up: NBA coach aren't too pleased about wearing microphones during nationally televised games.

Dallas' Avery Johnson and Denver's George Karl became the first to clip on the little wires when their teams met in a game shown on TNT on Thursday night. Both made it clear they're only doing it because they have to, reflecting an attitude shared by colleagues throughout the league.

"I wouldn't say [I'm] ready. But with the company I work for, it's mandatory," Johnson said before tip-off. "We just have to adjust."

The microphones are only part of some new rules aimed at taking fans a step closer to the action whenever TNT, ESPN or ABC cameras arrive. Other changes:

--Remote-controlled cameras in the locker room can capture pregame, halftime and postgame discussions.

--Players will be asked to wear microphones, too. Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse and Denver's Eduardo Najera became the pioneers Thursday night.

--Coaches will be subject to interviews during the game, the visiting coach talking between the first and second quarters, the home coach between the third and fourth.

"You just don't know where it's going to go. You just don't really know," Johnson said. "Let's go to another subject. I've already been fined. Let's just make it work."

Johnson was fined $25,000 Monday for failing to leave the court in a timely manner and for verbal abuse of a game official. Swearing, however, is not something Johnson does too often. He pointed out Thursday, "I don't say anything that needs to be censored."

Karl, meanwhile, laughed and said, "People know I swear sometimes."

The bigger issue is whether any trade secrets might be revealed. That's the crux of what the coaches don't like. Lakers coach Phil Jackson compared it to Big Brother watching, Pat Riley called it an invasion of privacy and Pistons coach Flip Saunders wondered how strategy can be avoided in anything that comes from a locker room.

"What's public, what's private on TV?" Karl said.

A former television commentator himself, he acknowledged that "it's a big part of our business." But, still, that doesn't mean he likes it.

"It's the sanctuary that coaches have to give up," Karl said.

Guess who supports the league on this one? Mavs owner Mark Cuban, who doesn't expect any problems from this. He noted that referees have been wearing microphones for years. Microphones also have been allowed into team huddles for several years.

"I love it, as a marketer and as a fan," Cuban said. "I think anything that gives more real information means we put up with less ridiculous comments from commentators. That's always a big plus. It helps the fans understand the game more and it draws them in more. It'll give them insight to things they've never heard before and opportunities to understand more about the game."

Much of the hubbub is unfounded, according to Rick Carlisle, the former Pacers and Pistons coach who is president of the National Basketball Coaches Association. He also works for ESPN.

Carlisle said coaches can turn off the microphones and the locker-room cameras whenever they want. Also, "all recorded sound will be reviewed by an on-site NBA official who will determine what is appropriate to air," he said.

"The Coaches Association has worked extensively with the NBA to come up with a system of in-game access that will help improve the television viewing experience without compromising the ability of coaches and players to interact and perform their jobs," Carlisle said. "While these changes are a noticeable departure from past access policies, the NBA has assured the coaches that the sanctity of the game will continue to be preserved."

The first utterances broadcast Thursday night weren't very revealing.

In a 30-second interview between quarters, with his team leading 39-32, Karl said, "We always want to rush and push the early tempo .... When we pass the ball, we usually play well. ... I hope we can keep it up for four quarters. I really think the key to our team is passing the ball."

Soon after, TNT showed a montage of audio collected from the microphones.

"Let's go, enjoy this thing," Karl said at the start of the game.

"Good hustle men, keep it up," Johnson said during a timeout.

"Let's go. Let's go, let's go," Stackhouse said, clapping his hands on the court.

"Way to go, Stack," Johnson was later shown saying following a basket by his microphone-wearing swingman.

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

Source: ESPN.com