Strange times in the East, where the imbalance against the West is an unbelievable 22-48 record through Sunday. Here a few things in the news from the "other" conference:

Happy anniversary, Latrell, and many happy returns
On the eve of the third anniversary of his suspension by Golden State for throttling P.J. Carlesimo, Latrell Sprewell has utterly rehabilitated his image, become a leader and the conscience of the New York Knicks.

	Sprewell

In the toughest city in America, Sprewell has thrived under the microscope, emerging as THE man during the shakedown from Patrick Ewing's departure.

When the Knicks were beaten by a staggering Miami team it was Sprewell who held his teammates accountable. "They should be just as upset as I am about this type of loss," he said, stunned by the blase attitude in the locker room. "I hope they understand that. I expressed to them that we weren't ready. We didn't play with the type of intensity you need against Miami. "I am taking it more personal," Sprewell said. "I'm tired of coming close. I want a ring. Glen (Rice) has one. Travis (Knight) has one. We have a great opportunity of at least giving ourselves a chance of getting one. We can easily make it to the Eastern Conference finals but it all starts with getting home court advantage."

The Knicks have won their last two, including Saturday's impressive 100-90 victory over Minnesota in Madison Square Garden. If they show up Monday, they make it three in a row against the Clippers.

Last weekend marked the anniversary of Sprewell's attack against his coach. So much has changed, if the Knicks were willing to put him in the deal they might be able to pry Dikembe Mutombo away from the Hawks this season.

Philadelphia has emerged as the Beast of the East
The Sixers, who held a pat hand over the summer, start their first important foray into the West Monday and by week's end we'll know if their class extends as far as the Pacific Palisades.

Larry Brown's guys start in Denver, play the Lakers, Blazers and Grizzlies before they can cash a ticket home. So far, no team in the East can stand up to them Saturday's 112-78 bombing of Cleveland was more of the same, coming one night after a 95-74 spanking of the Hornets in Charlotte. The Sixers are 5-1 against the four other winning teams in the East. The scoring differential is plus-84.

Typically, Brown reacted with dismay when his team crushed the Cavs before a rare Cleveland sellout of 20,500. "I felt bad. They have a big house here and we play our best game of the year."

Toronto's Charles Oakley punches out the Clippers Jeff McInnis during shootaround
A check with NBA security reveals only one other incident in anyone's memory -- Shaquille O'Neal's slap down of Greg Ostertag in the arena corridor two years ago.

	McInnis

	Oakley

Incidents before and after shooting practice are so rare, NBA security routinely is not invited to these venues, but Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens' reaction was typical. First, he declared that a three-game suspension was too severe for a nice fellow like Charles. Secondly, he said that for years he has worried that players might come to blows as they passed on the way off and onto the court.

So where was the concerned coach when Oakley walked up to McInnis and whacked him? Oh, he was in his office.

You may recall Oakley has a history. He hit Philadelphia's Tyrone Hill in the back of the head before an exhibition game in Chapel Hill, N.C., in October. Two summers ago he was arrested in an Atlanta restaurant. That incident, like the one on Thursday, is said to have involved a woman.

Oakley can now qualify as one of the Hanson Brothers from Slap Shot, who liked to wrap their fists in foil before going out to play.

George Karl is offered a record contract and doesn't know what to do about it
Sen. Herb Kohl, owner of the Bucks, wants to make his pal George the highest-paid coach in the world with a deal exceeding Phil Jackson's $7 million with the Lakers.

Typically, George isn't quite sure. He figures he can go through next season, become a free agent be able to make even more money. "The senator has been very generous and very kind," Karl said. "If I sign the deal it would be a great deal. They're offering me a home run. My decision is, do I want to hit a grand slam?"

If George learned his lesson in Seattle he will take the money now. He worked out his last season with the Sonics, became increasingly insecure to the point of paranoia. Even after going 61-21 there was no chance he could stay.

"It would be a business decision on my part to take my chances with my team, coach it at a high level and get my market value up," Karl said. "But to be honest with you, that's not what I'm trying to do. I just want to make a good deal."

George's Bucks, meanwhile, are back to stinking things up, losing in Atlanta, inviting boos at home Sunday. He had better accept the generosity of a man who does not spend his own half-billion fortune the way he spends tax payer money.

Kohl, who has lived in the same Milwaukee apartment for more than 20 years and who drives a Buick LeSabre, lavishes a $58 million payroll on his one extravagance, the Bucks. He's paying George $20 million over four years through the 2001-'02 season.

All the senator wants is a winner. His team is 7-10. The players are cavalier about meetings, about playing hard or playing the right way. That's a recipe for failure.

Eastern Notes