Phil Jasner of the Daily News reports that Derrick Coleman has a reputation around the league. Opponents have learned to always be wary of Coleman. Test his limits at your own risk.

That was never more evident than in the 76ers' 92-88 loss Wednesday night to Sacramento. Coleman had words during the game with Chris Webber, the Kings' All-Star forward. Each drew a technical foul with 32 seconds remaining. Coleman, legendary for his fierceness, said he would see Webber later.

Coleman tried to do just that. When the game ended, Coleman attempted twice to go to the Kings' locker room in the First Union Center, only to be headed off by Sixers personnel. Failing that, Coleman later waited near where the Kings' bus was parked in the arena's tunnel; the Sacramento Bee said Coleman reportedly contemplated going to the airport, where the Kings' charter flight waited.

"I know Chris, and he'd be the first person off the court not to say anything to Derrick,'' Eric Snow, one of the Sixers' captains, said yesterday at the team's practice facility. "A lot of things people do on the court, they won't do off the court, put it that way.''

Would Coleman?

"Yes,'' Snow said. "If he says he'll do something on the court, you know he's serious about it. Where a lot of guys will talk, he's serious. It's known around the league that you don't mess with that guy.''

Corliss Williamson, a rugged forward then with the Kings, tested Coleman two seasons ago in Sacramento; Williamson, running up the floor, tried to clothesline Coleman with an extended arm, only to be tossed on the scorers' table and pummeled unmercifully.

Indiana's Reggie Miller tested Coleman a few weeks ago in Indianapolis, only to suddenly discover Coleman's hands around his throat. Coleman tried twice to reach the Pacers' locker room after that game, too.

A league spokesman said the Coleman/Webber incident was being investigated.