Player-coach spats

Latrell Sprewell & P.J. Carlesimo. No player-coach confrontation was more violent than the neck-tightening tussle between combustible guard Latrell Sprewell and coach P.J. Carlesimo. Sprewell went crazy at his then-Warriors coach during a 1997 practice, responding to criticism by throttling Carlesimo and later trying to start another fight. After being suspended for 68 games, losing $6.4 million in salary, Sprewell complained his penalty was too harsh. 'I wasn't choking P.J. that hard,' he told 60 Minutes. 'I mean, he could breathe.'