Looking back, I can't say Joe Lapchick or Louie used many former players. Of course, Louie was Joe's assistant coach. Before him, Joe never had an assistant! Louie had "Butch" Kresse here and at the Nets, but he never had a big staff either. I know Louie kept in touch with former players and they in turn did a certain amount of unofficial scouting. Jarvi$ cut his ties with the players and I am unaware of how much Norm repaired that riff. I do know that the players themselves keep in touch with each other, so they're out there if Lavin wants to use them.