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.
___
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.
___
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, have a great playoff seeding and a 2-0 lead on the Boston Celtics?
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? In an earlier poll, most respondents agreed with me.
It is time for a new poll, now that there is increased attention on the only award winner whose identity remains a mystery.
Vote below. The leaderboard will pop up after you have cast your ballot.
(RELATED: WHO DID CHRIS SHERIDAN GIVE HIS COACH OF THE YEAR VOTE TO?)
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.