Doug Collins Back on Philly's Bench After Missing Time With Concussion

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- 76ers coach Doug Collins was back at practice Friday after missing two preseason games because of symptoms related to a concussion he sustained on Memorial Day.

Collins sad after practice that he fainted in a coffee shop on Memorial Day in Phoenix and broke three ribs. He also sustained a concussion when his head hit the concrete floor.

Collins was not present for Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Cincinnati and Wednesday's game against the New York Knicks in Philadelphia. He then had neurological testing and treatment for what was diagnosed as vertigo.

"The doctor feels very good about it because he knows what it is," Collins said after a 2 1/2 -hour practice. "One of the crystals in my ear was knocked loose. It wasn't related to fatigue or stress or anything like that."

Collins said the fall was due to feeling lightheaded caused by low blood pressure. After he went down, a docter at the coffee shop attended to him. He was helped onto a gurney and taken to an area hospital, where he was kept for observation.

Collins said it wasn't the first time he has fainted and it's usually been brought on by low blood pressure. This time, the neurologist also diagnosed him with vertigo.

Collins isn't expected to miss any more time.

"I feel great," he said. "I was able to have a couple of days where I saw the doctors and had some tests. All the tests were great. Basically, what I'm dealing with is vertigo. I took a nasty fall."

The energetic 59-year-old Collins said he watched nearly eight hours of preseason game film on Thursday and fully anticipates moving forward without any issues.

"It feels like you're on the tea cups at Epcot Center with your daughter and she's spinning the (heck) out of you," Collins said of the vertigo.

Practice on Friday was viewed by general manager Ed Stefanski, president Rod Thorn and chairman Ed Snider. They all saw the same passionate coach they hired in May, which is good news for a team that opens the regular season Wednesday night against the Miami Heat.

"I'm ready to go and I feel great," Collins said.

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