But already the groundwork has been established in the critical area of ego management. Players are so rich and so distracted that the ability to make themselves heard is probably the hardest thing the coaches do. The Bucks don't have any great players, but they have four who are good enough that problems could occur if they one day decide that Karl is no longer worthy of their attention. That is why Karl spends most of his time with Ray Allen, Glenn Robinson, Terrell Brandon, Tyrone Hill and, lately, rookie Robert Traylor. It's easier to coach the bench guys than it is to coach the starters.
Egos are the problem in the front-line guys.
The guys on the bench, my assistants get to coach them. For the most part, the Bucks' lead players are agreeable and coachable. During exhibition season, Karl had to tell an injured Brandon that he was required to sit on the bench even if he wasn't playing. Otherwise, there have been remarkably few problems. Then again, it's early.