Chuck had a level of experience that was worlds apart from most players. At times, players can be very dramatic, and Chuck just refused to get involved. If a player came to him with an issue with a contract, another player, or something that wasn’t his business, his favorite response was “whatever.” Then he would shrug and move along.
He brought that elegance to his dress as well. His look always was well put-together but his passion was watches. He had an awesome collection of rare, high-end watches. He had his suits tailored with his left sleeve made shorter so his watch would be more visible. We used to joke all the time about which watch he was wearing that day. Chuck was a great friend and is missed.
Best Tantrum: Magic Johnson. I had the good fortune of playing for the Lakers when Magic Johnson took over as coach in 1994. We were battling for a playoff spot, but our guys were not 
highly motivated. We had an odd mix of veterans (Kurt Rambis, James Worthy, James Edwards, Sedale Threatt, myself) and young guys (Elden Campbell, Nick Van Exel, George Lynch, Vlade Divac). The young guys were living large, enjoying LA and did not have Magic’s “Winning Time” attitude.
After an embarrassing loss at Phoenix that pretty much ended our season, Magic called a 7 a.m. practice for the next day. It was a $10,000 fine if you were late. We were all in the locker room at the Forum by 7, and Magic and Jerry West start going off. Magic was crazy that some of the guys didn’t care about winning.
He started in with the fact that all of the benefits that the players enjoy are because they are Lakers. But next season, they will be gone, and all of the women and prestige will belong to someone else.
Magic is one of the all-time great winners and was livid that some guys didn’t feel the same. He was spewing when suddenly someone’s beeper went off. He stopped and starts scanning the room like a Terminator. He has the clenched jaw, the roving eyes and is zeroing in on it. I am trying not to laugh hysterically, thankful that I don’t have a beeper.
The beeping is muffled, like it is in a gym bag or pocket. In the small locker room, it is difficult to pin down. But it won’t stop beeping! Finally Magic sees Vlade with his hand in his pocket trying furiously to turn it off.
“Vlade, let me see the beeper,” Magic said. Vlade handed it over, and Magic says, “This is exactly what I am talking about.” WHAM!! Magic throws a fastball against the wall, shattering exploding the beeper. I am biting my lip to keep from bursting with laughter, and poor Vlade was stunned into catatonia.
Later, Magic and I were in the training room sharing the story and we were both howling. I loved Magic as a coach, but it wasn’t for him. He seems to be doing all right with other things, though.
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Don’t Piss Off The Coach Award: Tom Nissalke. When I was a rookie with the Jazz, I was talking to teammates in an effort to learn about our coach. Nissalke was old school and very tough, but it was very familiar to me growing up with an old school guy.
One of the stories I heard was when Brett Vroman, a center from the previous season, was cut for farting in a team meeting. I thought it was just one of those embellished stories where he was going to be cut anyway and the actions were put together.
Until I ran into Brett a few years later. I had to ask. He confirmed that yes, he was absolutely cut for farting in the team meeting.
Now that’s a quick trigger.
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So now to the much less enthralling Coach of the Year. My criteria for best coaching job is based on who does the most with the least, not necessarily the coach of the best team. This 
season, there are many coaches in the running.
But my vote goes to Mike Woodson of the New York Knicks.
Woodson started the season with Raymond Felton replacing Jeremy Lin at point guard and Amar’e Stoudemire sidelined by surgery. During the season, he lost his entire front line, handled all of the noise that comes with New York and constantly had to massage his lineup.
Through it all, the Knicks have eclipsed 50 wins, won the Atlantic Division for the first time in 19 years and are positioned to have a great playoff seeding.
When you consider the number of adjustments Woodson has had to make and the success the Knicks have enjoyed, it’s easy to see a great coach at work. I’ve certainly seen enough of them.
Who is your choice?
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Danny Schayes is a retired 18-year-veteran of the NBA, a professional broadcaster and aspiring author now penning weekly NBA columns for SheridanHoops. Follow him on Twitter.