Nets coach Byron Scott scuffles with Jazz forward Karl Malone.
The confrontation began late in the first half of Wednesday's game, when Scott came onto the court to separate the Nets' Kenyon Martin and Utah's John Crotty, who had scuffled for a loose ball. Scott put his hand on Malone, who gave Scott two stiff arms to the chest.

Scott and Malone were charged with technicals, and continued to yell at each other. Scott shouted at Malone that he has ``no heart.''

``Malone doesn't scare me,'' Scott said. ``He's a man just like I am. I don't back down to anybody.''

Malone mocked Scott's job as a role player with the Lakers and said he didn't deserve to be an NBA coach. ``If I was willing to ride another guy's coattails, I would probably have myself a couple of rings,'' Malone said. ``Coach has no business being on the floor anyway. [Expletive] Byron Scott.''

It's no secret Malone can be a jerk. But Scott should know coming on the floor to break up a fight -- and exchanging insults with a player -- is unprofessional conduct.