HOUSTON -- Houston Rockets Coach Bill Fitch, who has built winning teams in three NBA cities, now faces his toughest challenge yet: bringing the Rockets back from their second drug-related catastrophe in 10 months.
'If I had thought that all this was going to happen, you probably wouldn't see me here now,' said Fitch, in his fourth season with the Rockets. 'I hate this whole situation and how it affects lives. The finality of it bothers me.
'It's still going to be a hell of a lot easier for us to overcome what's happened than it will be to overcome the disease that caused it.'
Fitch, somber and speaking in quiet tones, was referring to the NBA suspensions of guards Mitchell Wiggins and Lewis Lloyd, who tested positive for cocaine use.
Because the players did not come forward and disclose their drug use voluntarily, they cannot play in the NBA for at least two years. They then can appeal to the league for reinstatement.
The news comes at a time when the Rockets, who lost to Boston in the NBA finals last year, were starting to improve after a disastrous start marred by injuries.
'I was with Wiggins for an hour and a half at the Summit (over the weekend),' Fitch said. 'He and I were the only ones there. It would be a good scene for a movie. We've had our ups and downs, but I could always talk with him. I feel, except for this, he's become a much better player.
'(Lewis) has been here since I've been here. I wanted him. I can honestly say I can't think of a bad thing about him except for this sickness.'
The Rockets took a first step toward repairing the damaged team Wednesday by signing guard Allen Leavell to a 10-day contract. Leavell was cut by Houston Nov. 16 after playing inthe first six games of the season, averaging 3.3 points and 3 assists.
In 44 games last year, Leavell averaged 7.9 points and 3.2 assists. He is an eight-year NBA veteran, all with the Rockets.
Fitch, the only coach to win division titles with three different teams -- Cleveland, Boston and Houston -- and the winningest coach in Rockets history, now must decide on permanent ways to fill the two roster spots, and that might mean a trade.
'That (a trade) wouldn't be fair to the guys who are still here,' Fitch said. 'We owe them more than that, which means we're going to have to do something we've never done before.
'Nobody's going to give us a Mitch Wiggins or a Lew Lloyd. People will call and tell us how sorry they are about what's happened, then they'll turn around and insult us with what they're offering and asking in return.'
The Rockets may consider trading an extra big man or a first-round draft pick to bolster the backcourt.
Houston may have looked to Conner Henry, a fourth-round pick who was waived in November, but he has signed a 10-day contract with Boston. Another possibility -- former Rockets reserve Craig Ehlo -- signed a 10-day contract with Cleveland Tuesday.
The Rockets now have lost three players in 10 months to drugs. Veteran guard John Lucas tested positive for drug use last March, the second time with the Rockets, but he can return to the NBA since he previously came forward and sought treatment.
The playoffs were nearing when Lucas, a starter, was waived, yet the Rockets did not fold and they advanced to the NBA finals.
The effects of losing Lloyd and Wiggins were evident Tuesday on the team, if not on the court, where the Rockets beat Phoenix, 118-100.
'There's a message in this for all people,' said team captain Ralph Sampson. 'We have to start taking heed. We will miss Mitchell and Lew Lloyd. We would like to have them back, but we don't know if we ever will.'
Teammate Jim Petersen said there was no indication something was wrong with either player.
'Sure, there were innuendos that Lew used cocaine,' Petersen said. 'But we all thought he was making a comeback and was totally clean. Mitchell probably doesn't even have a drug problem. It happens one time and he's out. A guy like Mitchell deserves a second chance, as does Lewis.'
