Steve Wyche of the Washington Post reports that the rift between the players, head coach Doug Collins and Michael Jordan is growing by the day.

According to Collins, some of the players have totally disrespected him throughout the season.

"I've had guys in that locker room curse at me this year, show no respect," said Collins, who did not single out any players but did have an incident at a game in Phoenix in which second-year forward Kwame Brown swore at him after being pulled out of a game. "Michael [Jordan] stepped in and said, 'Don't treat Coach that way.' Michael has the ultimate respect for a coach."

Said Jordan: "Doug felt he had been disrespected. These are things you have to deal with. I'd rather for them not to be out for everyone's opinion. Those are things I'd like to field internally, but I think Doug felt very disrespected."

Jordan hinted that the chemistry problem between players and coach could lead to some changes if he remains with the Wizards.

"I can look at some marginal players around the league and say, 'You know what? This kid may not be as talented, but his desire and passion is strong and he may be able to help a team like this on a consistent basis,' " said Jordan, who hired Collins before the 2001-02 season. "Maybe there's a guy we feel who is a star, yet he doesn't have the quality it takes to be a leader at practice, on the court, responding to the coach's leadership and what he thinks. I would take 12 guys who had a strong passion to play this game over 12 stars who don't respect the game."

Some players took exception to Collins' remarks.

Said second-year center Brendan Haywood: "Obviously he feels someone disrespected him. If he feels that disrespected maybe he should have called them out to you all instead of just saying all the young guys, because that's not fair."

"He can't be talking about me. I'm a straight shooter," said Brown, who has admitted to having a strained relationship with Collins.