HE CAN SHOOT from outside, he can pound the ball inside. He can pass with the deftness of a point guard and rebound with authority.

That part, that Derrick Coleman can play basketball, no one argues.

After that, well, consensus is hard to come by.

Is he difficult or simply strong-willed, cantankerous or private?

Or all of the above?

For every 10 people who fiercely will argue he is difficult and cantankerous, there are just as many who stubbornly insist he is strong-willed and private. His defenders are every bit as resolute as his detractors.