Mohegan — It's doubtful that Pat Riley, Sun coach Mike Thibault's former boss, would have settled into a Los Angeles area theater one night in the 80s and entertained the queries of Laker fans like this."So, Pat, how come you don't run more pick-and-rolls with Worthy?"

"So, Pat, how come you don't run more pick-and-rolls with Worthy?""Uh, Coach, why does Rambis wear those wacky glasses?"

"Uh, Coach, why does Rambis wear those wacky glasses?""Do you think you got outcoached by (gulp) K.C. Jones?"

"Do you think you got outcoached by (gulp) K.C. Jones?"Times, they are a changin.'

Times, they are a changin.' Yes, on Monday night at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theater, the Sun will hold a "fan forum" for any inquiring minds who have questions or comments about all things Sun. And call-in radio/television shows for coaches not withstanding, this is pretty unique: unrehearsed, unedited, face-to-face and even with a projector, so Thibault can explain Xs and Os.

Yes, on Monday night at Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Theater, the Sun will hold a "fan forum" for any inquiring minds who have questions or comments about all things Sun. And call-in radio/television shows for coaches not withstanding, this is pretty unique: unrehearsed, unedited, face-to-face and even with a projector, so Thibault can explain Xs and Os.Not every coach would be so comfortable doing this.

Not every coach would be so comfortable doing this. "Our fans have really supported us and and it's very, very much appreciated," Thibault said. "I've been getting approached by people a lot with 'explain this to me' and 'how come' and things like that. So we figured, why not have a night when we can explain it all? Things haven't always been made clear to the general masses.

"Our fans have really supported us and and it's very, very much appreciated," Thibault said. "I've been getting approached by people a lot with 'explain this to me' and 'how come' and things like that. So we figured, why not have a night when we can explain it all? Things haven't always been made clear to the general masses."Whether it's player personnel moves, salary cap rules, game rules or anything else," he said, "it's a chance to clear the air."

"Whether it's player personnel moves, salary cap rules, game rules or anything else," he said, "it's a chance to clear the air."This has been the most active offseason in franchise history. Connecticut traded franchise face Lindsay Whalen to Minnesota for Renee Montgomery and the No. 1 pick in the draft, otherwise known as Tina Charles. The Sun signed Olympian Kara Lawson as a free agent and got veteran DeMya Walker from the dispersal draft.

This has been the most active offseason in franchise history. Connecticut traded franchise face Lindsay Whalen to Minnesota for Renee Montgomery and the No. 1 pick in the draft, otherwise known as Tina Charles. The Sun signed Olympian Kara Lawson as a free agent and got veteran DeMya Walker from the dispersal draft. With the movement has come speculation, which has Thibault somewhat amused.

With the movement has come speculation, which has Thibault somewhat amused."In the Internet world, it seems like the self-proclaimed experts never ask about anything," Thibault said. "Maybe they don't want to get told what the real deal is. I'm thick-skinned enough. If people have a critique or a criticism, believe me, I'll answer it."

"In the Internet world, it seems like the self-proclaimed experts never ask about anything," Thibault said. "Maybe they don't want to get told what the real deal is. I'm thick-skinned enough. If people have a critique or a criticism, believe me, I'll answer it."Some of cyberspace's observations are a panic. Thibault heard how one of the aforementioned experts suggested the Whalen/Montgomery trade "happened way over his head," indicating that someone other than Thibault is in charge of player personnel decisions. (Not true. Never been true). He's heard that the Sun will tank the season to get Maya Moore in next year's draft. He's heard that even the intrepid reporters covering the team "drink the Kool-Aid."

Some of cyberspace's observations are a panic. Thibault heard how one of the aforementioned experts suggested the Whalen/Montgomery trade "happened way over his head," indicating that someone other than Thibault is in charge of player personnel decisions. (Not true. Never been true). He's heard that the Sun will tank the season to get Maya Moore in next year's draft. He's heard that even the intrepid reporters covering the team "drink the Kool-Aid." "The best one might be, 'Why did you give away Margo?'" Thibault said, alluding to former center Margo Dydek. "I didn't. I didn't get Margo pregnant."

"The best one might be, 'Why did you give away Margo?'" Thibault said, alluding to former center Margo Dydek. "I didn't. I didn't get Margo pregnant."Plenty of fans, particularly a segment regularly commenting on theday.com, spend ample time suggesting the Sun should fire Thibault. Others like to opine on the WNBA's irrelevance, unwittingly giving credence to the league by continuing to discuss it.

Plenty of fans, particularly a segment regularly commenting on theday.com, spend ample time suggesting the Sun should fire Thibault. Others like to opine on the WNBA's irrelevance, unwittingly giving credence to the league by continuing to discuss it. And now they get their turn at the plate. Think Thibault should get canned? Tell him Monday night. Think the league is about to fold? Ask him Monday night. Have no use for the WNBA or women's basketball? Tell him Monday night. Think trading Lindsay was dumb? Tell him Monday night.

And now they get their turn at the plate. Think Thibault should get canned? Tell him Monday night. Think the league is about to fold? Ask him Monday night. Have no use for the WNBA or women's basketball? Tell him Monday night. Think trading Lindsay was dumb? Tell him Monday night. "You don't even have to say it," Thibault said. "Write it down on a card when you show up at the door and we'll read it."

"You don't even have to say it," Thibault said. "Write it down on a card when you show up at the door and we'll read it."Some Sun fans don't agree with the direction of the franchise. Others can't wait to see Montgomery, Charles, Lawson and Walker usher a new style. Whatever the opinions, though, there shouldn't be any denying that the franchise cares about the people who watch. An opportunity to address the coach face-to-face doesn't happen very often in any sport on any level.

Some Sun fans don't agree with the direction of the franchise. Others can't wait to see Montgomery, Charles, Lawson and Walker usher a new style. Whatever the opinions, though, there shouldn't be any denying that the franchise cares about the people who watch. An opportunity to address the coach face-to-face doesn't happen very often in any sport on any level."I reiterate that the level of support we have has been great," Thibault said. "People don't have to agree with me. I don't have to agree with them. But this will give everyone a better understanding of why things occur."

"I reiterate that the level of support we have has been great," Thibault said. "People don't have to agree with me. I don't have to agree with them. But this will give everyone a better understanding of why things occur."

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro.