But unlike his previous indignation about the uproar caused when he skipped practice, Iverson accepted the punishment of not starting Friday against Milwaukee and even apologized.

But given he plays in a state hit especially hard by the economic downturn, choosing to take a day off might not have been the wisest way to endear himself to the fans.

"Nobody wants to hear multimillionaires complaining to their bosses about working on Thanksgiving while others are desperately looking for any work," wrote Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press. "But hasn't everybody already figured out that the regular rules don't often apply in the disproportionate, egomaniacal galaxy of professional sports.

"So why sweat the small stuff? If the A.I. experiment doesn't work, it won't be because he doesn't practice every day. It'll be because the Pistons' aging core was already beyond saving."

FROM BLACK HOLE TO ROCKY TOP -?Maybe coaching for Al Davis and the Oakland Raiders' passionate - and sometimes scary - fans prepared Lane Kiffin for coaching in the Southeastern Conference.

The situation didn't work out in Oakland, where Kiffin was dumped in less than two seasons, capped by a surreal news conference from Davis detailing how the relationship broke down.

If Kiffin struggles at Tennessee, 100,000 orange-clad fans will let him know about it. And he'll be in the SEC, where football Saturdays are dissected from Sunday until Friday and recruiting and spring practices generate nearly as much interest as the season.

Kiffin better know what he's getting into. "He'll face a short leash at Tennessee," ESPN.com's Chris Low wrote. "If he's not in the SEC Championship Game by 2011, there will be serious grumbling on Rocky Top. And if he's not wearing an SEC championship ring by 2013, that grumbling will only escalate."

WAITING IS THE HARDEST PART -?As Boise State built its lead over Fresno State on Friday to 27-10, Las Vegas Bowl executive director Tina Kunzer-Murphy knew she would have to continue waiting before selecting the Mountain West Conference team.

Utah appears to be headed to a Bowl Championship Series game, but Boise State also is undefeated and at No. 9 is just three spots behind the Utes in the BCS standings.

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson is afraid of asking the BCS to release the other league teams until he knows for sure Utah will be in one of the major bowls. He could ask for such a release Tuesday on the BCS teleconference if it's clear Boise State won't catch Utah.

If the Mountain West teams aren't released, the Las Vegas Bowl will have to wait until Dec. 7 to choose a team for the Dec. 20 game.

"We're ready to move and anxiously awaiting our team," Kunzer-Murphy said.

The Pacific-10 Conference representative also will be chosen Dec. 7.

COMPILED BY MARK ANDERSON

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL