If I could steal a phrase from one of America?s founding fathers, Benjamin Franklin, in this world nothing can be said to be certain but death, taxes and (may I add) NBA head coaching firings.

 While there has yet to be a firing in the league so far this season, the hot seat appears to be rather toasty for a couple of lame duck coaches- Denver?s Jeff Bzdelik and the Knicks? Lenny Wilkens.

 As was mentioned in this column last month, Bzdelik, despite his stellar coaching job a season ago, would have to prove to Nuggets management, in particular his harshest critic, GM Kiki Vandeweghe, that he is indeed the man who can lead the franchise to the promised land, or else he could be the season?s first coaching casualty.

 With Denver off to a 1-4 start, including Tuesday night?s 20-point thrashing at the hands of the Seattle Sonics, Bzdelik appears to be merely biding his time before he is relieved.  

 Even though injuries to sharp-shooter Voshon Lenard and Nene have hurt, and free agent acquisition Kenyon Martin continues to adjust to life in the Mile High city, the Nuggets have nevertheless lost all four of their games by an average margin of 16.5 points and appear to be a team who has tuned out their bench leader.  And to make matters worse, franchise player Carmelo Anthony is currently going through a sophomore slump to start the season, averaging just 16.6 points and shooting only .313% from the field.

 While the Nuggets likely aren?t in panic mode five games in, assistant coach Michael Cooper- who Vandeweghe signed to a three-year deal- appears to be waiting in the wings.  Cooper is currently the only Nuggets coach to have a contract beyond this season, and there is speculation that he is being groomed to be the team?s next coach.  Cooper?s time may come sooner rather than later?

 Many wondered, including yours truly, what Isiah Thomas? motivations were when he commented on Phil Jackson?s alleged interest in coaching the Knicks, especially when he already had a coach in place, Lenny Wilkens, who Thomas hand-picked three weeks into his tenure as team president.

 With the Knicks off to another slow start, Thomas wasted no time in making yet another move, acknowledging that he played an influential role in the resignation of Wilkens? top assistant coach and good friend Dick Helm (in other words, Thomas fired him) after New York opened the season 0-2, including a 34-point loss to Boston last Saturday in the team?s home opener.  And it appears that Wilkens could very well be next.

 Although Thomas says he wants no part in coaching the team, rumors have been rampant since he took over as GM last December that he would eventually be on the sidelines.  Even if Thomas were not take over on a permanent basis, expect him to at least be an interim coach should the Knicks continue to falter.  

 New York bounced back Tuesday night by beating Philadelphia, 98-88, so Wilkens may be safe for now.  But that could change in a New York minute?

 Ron Artest may be the league?s best defender and one of the more complete players in the game today, but at some point you have to wonder if he won?t simply overstay his welcome in Indianapolis.  

 Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle benched Artest for two games, including Wednesday?s 102-68 loss to the L.A. Clippers- Indiana?s worst home loss in franchise history- after Artest had requested some time off because of a grueling off-court schedule, which included the promotion of, all things, his new rap album.  

 A new rap album?  During the season?  Huh?

 Carlisle said that the situation ?compromised the integrity of the team,? while Artest feels he?s done nothing wrong by putting his personal interests ahead of team goals, namely winning an NBA championship this season.

?They probably expected me to play every game.  Everybody?s different.  It?s early in the season, so I feel like I could take some time off early and be ready for the long stretch,? Artest said.

 ?I?ve been doing a little bit too much music, just needed the rest.  I?ve still got my album coming out on Nov. 23.  After the album comes out, I?m going to make sure all my time is focused on winning a championship.?

 Artest has another thing coming if he expects to simply be able to turn on the switch mid-season, so to speak, and play a vital role in the Pacers? title hopes, especially when he may very well have alienated his coach, his teammates and the entire organization in the process.  

 Indiana must also now worry about the status of power forward Jermaine O?Neal, who sat out the fourth quarter of Wednesday?s game after straining his left foot.  O?Neal is listed as day-to-day.  Indiana is also currently without the services of Reggie Miller, centers Jeff Foster and Scot Pollard, and forward Jonathan Bender.

 But here?s to Artest and his new rap record.  Hope it reaches platinum someday...