The NBA has seen its fair share of coach-player confrontations, but none more explosive or unacceptable than Latrell Sprewell's assault on P. J. Carlesimo while playing for the Golden State Warriors. A December 1997 practice session descended into violence when Sprewell took exception to Carlesimo's constructive criticism of his passing. Having merely told his player to "put a little mustard" on his passes, the head coach was strangled and dragged across the court before players and coaches intervened. Sprewell was initially suspended for 10 games without pay, but soon had his contract terminated due to overwhelming fan pressure.
