The 2001-02 NBA season already is 25 percent completed -- hey, time flies when you're having fun, right? -- and the head coaches of the 29 teams have already submitted their room requests for the second quarter.

	Lakers coach Phil Jackson is used to only the best.

Actually, only 27 have responded. Dave Cowens and Jeff Van Gundy already have checked out and their replacements have, wisely, yet to make reservations. But the rooms are ready for the rest and here is where they're staying based upon the results to date.

The Ritz
Phil Jackson of the Lakers has a permanent suite here and knows the concierge, bellhops and room-service people on a first-name basis. He even kept it handy in the year he took off because he figured he wouldn't need to move. Occasionally, Jax bumps into the Spurs' Gregg Popovich in the lobby or elevator. Pop isn't new to the place. He's been here since the Tim Duncan surprise package arrived in the mail in May of 1997. But Jackson has insisted that there be an asterisk next to Pop's room number.

The Four Seasons
The hotel had to change its reservation policies to allow some of the new guests, not anticipating such a holiday rush. In particular, three arrivals had to cancel previous reservations because of the unexpected early success of their teams. The Celtics' Jim O'Brien showed up and pretty much had to go through an El Al-type interrogation before getting his room key. He was assigned room 333. Another strange face was that of New Jersey's Byron Scott. He at least had a letter of introduction from the Bates Motel, the official home of Nets' coaches. Newcomer Rick Carlisle of the division-leading Pistons was given the Chuck Daly Suite, complete with a closet full of matching wardrobes and lists of restaurants which provide complementary food before and after games. Rick Adelman of Sacramento has been here before, once when he was coaching the Trail Blazers. He is thinking about an upgrade now that he has Chris Webber back and healthy. Milwaukee's George Karl is also here and his bedside table is filled with self-help and other inspirational literature. On the wall hangs a bullseye picture of Glenn Robinson. Minnesota's Flip Saunders is also here and he figures it's about time. However, he can't get the kids' rate for Kevin Garnett anymore.

The Westin
Until Mark Cuban's newest project, Mandalay Bay-Dallas, is finished, this is where the Mavericks' Don Nelson hangs out. (The league wouldn't allow him to use Cuban's guest house.) Nellie had been originally headed for the Four Seasons, but a home loss to the Wizards dropped him down a notch. He has reserved the whole top floor for the rest of his entourage, er, staff. He is somewhat surprised to bump into Philadelphia's Larry Brown in the buffet line. Brown also thought he'd need to go elsewhere, but the booking agent looked at his lineup for the first two weeks of the season and not only gave him a room, but also the two-for-breakfast rate. He is keeping the room on a week-to-week basis, however, certain that he'll soon move up.

The Marriott
This is always the most-crowded hotel. Coaches love to wrack up points during the season for vacation and personal use and this time is no exception. No fewer than seven coaches have checked into this middle-of-the-road establishment. Jerry Sloan of the Jazz had to ask for directions, however. He hasn't been here since his days of coaching the Bulls, when the Marriott was synonymous with luxury. But the Four Seasons, Ritz and Westin all took a look at his record in the Delta Center and said there was no room at the inn. Doug Collins of the Wizards got a last-minute reservation when a couple of other coaches had to leave. He got the Rip Hamilton rate. It also didn't hurt that Michael Jordan offered to open up a restaurant in the building. Lenny Wilkens of Toronto has stayed about everywhere and he really doesn't mind as long as the beds are made daily and the in-room movies are up to date. Glenn Rivers of Orlando is just hoping to get a room anywhere these days. Then again, he's seen more hotels than most and the view hasn't been good without Grant Hill. The Suns' Scott Skiles also got a late reservation after a shaky start that also included some unimpressive play at home. He demands a VCR in his room because he carries the Arizona Diamondbacks commemorative video with him wherever he goes. Paul Silas is here as well, but he doesn't know where his Charlotte Hornets are going to be. This is one coach who doesn't mind the road at all. In fact, you could argue he plays 82 of them a year given the dearth of support and interest in his soon-to-be-vacated home. Isiah Thomas checked in at the last minute. He was presented with a single, red rose for good luck and a list of PG movies for most of his players.

Holiday Inn
Where kids can stay free most of the time, this makes the perfect place for the Clippers' Alvin Gentry. His boss, Donald Sterling, also owns the place so that makes even more sense. Gentry is on the Clipper rate, which discourages long-term reservation.

Motel Six
Rudy Tomjanovich of the Rockets never knew such a place existed. But until he gets Steve Francis back and the team starts to play better, this is going to be home. The Cavs' John Lucas thinks the place is just grand and it's right next to an orthopedic clinic, which is perfect for his big man. The Hawks' Lon Kruger is wondering why he had better accommodations when he coached at Florida and Illinois. But he also has a deal with the boss that he'll get immediate consideration for an upgrade once Theo Ratliff returns. Maurice Cheeks of Portland has a room in his name here, but he is rarely around. He mostly stays on Paul Allen's plane. Nate McMillan of Seattle also has a room. Right now, it ain't great, but he's thinking it might be terrific when Gary Payton discovers the team isn't going anywhere.

	Riley

Bates Motel
Boy, that Byron Scott is a loyal guy. When he heard that his former boss, Pat Riley, was coming to stay, he made sure that the employees gave the new guest the royal treatment. Scott gave Riley a list of do's and don'ts in the area and the best room-service bargains. Riley insists on paying by the day, certain his stay will be brief. Another who's paying by the day, but for a different reason, is Sidney Lowe of the Grizzlies. But he's used to that.

Hotel California
You can check out anytime you want, but you can never leave. Tim Floyd of Chicago is a keeper here. Has unlimited charge privileges. Knows everyone. Has his own parking space. But he had been longing for some company and he at last has someone with which to commiserate: Dan Issel. The Nuggets' coach has a wing all to himself -- the walls, of course, are very thin -- and is said to be learning Spanish, the better to communicate with the clientele.

Peter May, who covers the NBA for the Boston Globe, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.