CHASERS LOUNGE

Why is it that the first game back home from a trip can be difficult?

Part of the logic is that the players can be distracted by the return to every day life. They can have girlfriends, spouses and/or friends that demand their attention. Bills to pay. Household chores to tend to. Things of that nature.

Those factors may not sound like much but if you ask players or coaches, they'll tell you that they can indeed come into play.

Also, note that the Jets are actually 0-3 their last three at Winnipeg. So, their long-standing tendency of being a better home team may be starting to change. (In fact, they actually have a better road record than home record this season.)

Facing a revenge-minded and well-rested New Jersey team, I won't be surprised if the Jets stumble here.

The Devils, who haven't played since the 2/24 loss against the Jets, are already 2-0 this season, when facing a team which defeated them in the previous meeting.

Chicago will have to fancy it's chances of getting back on track against Philadelphia on Thursday, the Sixers are a sorry bunch at the moment. Philly has lost six straight, but it was the last loss that was the straw that broke the Camel's back. After losing at home to a shorthanded Orlando team, playing without Jameer Nelson, coach Doug Collins completely lost it in a post-game interview.

“If everybody looked inside themselves as much as I did, this world would be a CAT scan. OK? Believe me, there’s not two days go by that I don’t go to Rod [Thorn], I don’t go to Tony [DiLeo], ‘What can I do? Can I do anything different? How can I be a better coach? How can I be a better leader? How can I help these guys?’

He went on to criticize his players work ethic, his organization for the players that they have to work with, and the players they have lost. His comments were not those of a coach looking to light a fire under his team to motivate them, but those of a desperate man at his wick's end, who is throwing his hands in the air, saying "I quit".

Collins will not last much longer in Philly, he's practically daring the organization to let him go. He certainly won't be coming back next year if he lasts that long.