<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>When asked afterward if his team handed the game to the Habs, Devils coach Brent Sutter angrily replied, “Damn right we did.” Sutter was so upset that he ordered a 30-minute team stationary bicycle workout after the game before the players could head their separate ways for the break. <span style="font-size:14pt;line-height:100%"> “If they don't like it, too bad,” Sutter said. “Patting themselves on the back. They've already got their plans going to Vegas or wherever they’re going when the game is half over. I can't accept that. They can work in the gym now if they don't want to work on the ice." </span></div> Link. Can you imagine what kind of uproar would occur if some NBA coach decided to pull his team directly off the court after a loss and start a workout? Not even Pat Riley could get away with that. (And I'm sure he's thought about doing it. Maybe every day.)
I think yes, but it depends on the coach. Pop could probably get his team to do it, even with a roster like the Knicks. NBA players are like dogs, they will run wild if you let them, but if you give them strong leadership and discipline they will be happier.
I think if anyone could pull it off it would be Pop, but I think it has less to do with his reputation and more to do with the strict guidelines the front office has followed in terms of only keeping team-oriented players. But even they have players with strong personalities and egos who would take this as a personal affront. A few of the Devils' players likely griped about it a little, but they all heard the message. It'll probably wind up being a positive move (or at least not do any harm). An NBA coach probably would be making his job a lot harder if he tried something like this. I'm not sure any message would get through beyond the players feeling "disrespected".
