i think he would get him playing to potential too, WW. But what i like about him is that I don't get the feeling (not that i'd know, having never been in their clubhouse) that he has to put a boot to anybody's behind. there's no power or authority trip with leyland. there's just a kind of very quiet command about him that seems to come equally from his experience (and success) in the game, from not acting like he knows everything, and from his quiet peace with himself. i have no doubt rasheed would respond to that, but i think it would be because leyland's clone wouldn't even need to kick him in the ass. he's just so obviously "the man" that it seems not even to occur to him to have to show it.

come to think of it, i don't know any NBA coaches -- as many successful ones as there are -- with that sort of demeanor.