Musselman mum on return

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The future of Coach Eric Musselman: Mullin didn't address Musselman, but it's clear that Mullin is not Musselman's No. 1 fan.

It would have been easier, more craven and typically Warrior-like, for Mullin to demand that St. Jean fire Musselman before Mullin took over, so Mullin could assume the power position free and clear of a semi-popular coach.

But that would have been a charade: Musselman will be fired because Mullin is uncomfortable with his handling of the Warriors' crucial young core of players. Mullin should and will be the one to explain it.

As Rowell joked when asked about Musselman's fate: ``I don't handle basketball operations. That's something I need to refer to Mr. Mullin.''

After the news conference, Cohan referred to Mullin's style as ``straight talk'' without political adornment. ``He's going to answer your questions and not dodge them,'' Cohan said.

? The hiring of Rod Higgins or someone else as the next coach: Though he remained coy on the specifics, Mullin sure didn't try to hide his appreciation for Higgins, his old teammate.
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