In a clue to the distance that seems to exist between the hard-driving coach and his players, Larry Brown admitted that the veteran team captain Antonio Davis approached him at Wednesday's optional practice and told him to simplify things.

"I've been simple and consistent in defense, but we are dealing with a lot of young guys and a lot of guys where this wasn't a priority to them," Brown said.

"We've been pointing out the same things over and over again, and they keep popping up in film sessions. You hope guys watching will do something about it, and it's kind of befuddling right now because we do the same things over and over again."