FOR LAVIN, THERE'S NO BOOIN' BRUINS.

Byline: STEVE DILBECK

He was in the back of the hotel banquet room, in the last row, not hiding but maybe trying not to be conspicuous. Like that was possible.

When questions lulled for Stanford basketball coach Mike Montgomery at the Pacific-10 Conference basketball media day, he spotted the familiar face and called out to him from the podium.

``Hey, Lav,'' Montgomery said. ``What about you? Got any questions?''

Steve Lavin grinned, grinned like he always seemed to do during his seven-year run as UCLA's basketball coach. Even during his final year last season, when fired by athletic director Dan Guerrero after the Bruins' first losing season in 55 years.

Lavin, almost predictably, has landed very much on his feet, nabbing a job as an ESPN basketball analyst and color commentator.

Lavin, media member, seems a very content guy. He does not exhibit an ounce of bitterness. Talks about how grateful he is for the opportunity to coach UCLA. Holds no hard feelings when coaches are asked, like Arizona's Lute Olson was Thursday, if the conference doesn't have its best coaching credentials ever.

Is not even bothered by UCLA players saying how much harder practice is now under Ben Howland, how the intensity has stepped up, how they'll now make the extra pass and emphasize defense - all indirect slaps at how things were run under Lavin.

``It reminds me a lot from when I first took over,'' Lavin said. ``The emphasis is on defense, on conditioning and accountability. Being on time. Stars being benched and just kind of a change in attitude.

``Anytime there is a change, there's a honeymoon, a grace period, and that creates great energy and anticipation and enthusiasm about the direction of the program. The alumni are excited, the fans are excited, the staff is excited. It's good for everybody.

``It was a good time for all people involved to have that change. I think you're going to see positive results.''

Got that? He's talking positively about his own firing. If I was canned, I'd be one bitter dude. I'd point fingers, go out screaming, put a hex on by boss and his lineage for all eternity. But that's just me.

Lavin is either embarrassing me with his maturity, or is one incredibly easy-going guy.

``It's not as simple as the glass is half full,'' he said. ``There are so many incredible experiences during my 15 years in coaching that to not be grateful, to not be thankful, to not really see all the goodness, would be so small and petty and narrow.''

Lavin also clearly understands the cyclical nature of coaching, particularly at UCLA, and what happens when you're the guy leaving. Things take a natural course, and they're supposed to be better under the new regime.

``If you step back in the broader context, that's part of the profession, that's part of coaching, and you understand that,'' he said.

Lavin could point to the five Sweet 16s he took the Bruins to during his first six years. The six 20-plus win seasons. And he does manage to slip that in.

Yet despite that, no outcry of unfairness. No caustic comments about Guerrero, no scathing oratory about injustice, no acrimonious anything.

The man was fired!

``It's how certain people in your life set an example for dealing with adversity or difficult times,'' he said. ``Then you kind of emulate yourself after those people.

``Right down the line, you do the best you can as long as you can. Then when it comes to an end, you give thanks and move forward to the next gift. That's the way I was raised. Sometimes we forget we need to be thankful for the challenging stretches in our life as well. Oftentimes we learn more from them, than when rolling in the good times.''

It isn't like he's holding up a sign at freeway off-ramps. He's still a boyish-looking 39. He's healthy, single.

He's leased his Marina del Rey condo and moved to a flat in Venice. He's been barnstorming colleges around the country for ESPN. He'll be in the studio Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and offer commentary at a game on Saturdays, typically a Big Ten Conference game.

At the end of the season, Lavin said he'll evaluate whether he wants to return to coaching.

``Coaches and athletes are kind of addicted to the big swings, the highs and lows, the wins and losses, the good times and challenging times,'' he said.

His withdrawals thus far?

``To this point it's really been kind of refreshing to be able to step back and take a deep breath, and reflect back on 15 years and really be able to be grateful for that opportunity,'' he said. ``And also have the opportunity to reconnect with family and former players.''

Lavin said he wakes up more refreshed these days. Must sleep like a baby. No worries about recruits or alumni or players getting in trouble or columnists calling for his head.

And no bitterness. Just a recognition that at UCLA there is only one standard, and as the coaches after John Wooden have left, the welcome mat has gone out for the successor.

``The beat goes on,'' he said. ``That's part of the passing parade that makes certain programs unique.

``UCLA has been passing the baton for quite a long time now. If you're looking for adulation or to be seen as a coaching genius, UCLA is not the program to work in. John Wooden is the standard.''

Not that he hasn't done his part to help Howland. The two have talked several times to discuss the program. Have had dinner together.

``After the dinner when I was driving him to his car, he turned to me and said, 'You know that anything that goes wrong, I'll blame on you,' '' Lavin said. ``We both had a good laugh.''

Lavin, still smiling.