Doug Collins and the Chicago Bulls won't be reuniting.

Concerned that a second tenure as the Bulls' coach would spoil their friendship, Collins told chairman Jerry Reinsdorf to look elsewhere during a phone conversation yesterday.

"I called Jerry this afternoon and said, 'Let's move forward and make sure we stay the friends that we have been for 25 years,' " said Collins, who coached Chicago from 1986-89. "It had to be a home run, and both of us had a little angst over it. So we both agreed it wasn't the best to keep going this way."

The Chicago Tribune initially reported Collins was out of the running on its Web site yesterday afternoon.

"I didn't know Red Auerbach real well," Reinsdorf said. "But Doug is the brightest basketball mind that I knew. He's brilliant. The man is brilliant."

But he won't be back on the Bulls' sideline.

Reinsdorf acknowledged concerns about bringing back his friend but said the decision to break off talks was more Collins' than his.

"My mother always used to tell me don't be in business with friends and relatives," Reinsdorf said. "We've become so close over the years, I really wasn't sure it was a good idea for him. But I was pretty much willing to go along with it, but I just wanted to be sure if this is what he really wanted to do. And so I just said, 'Take some time, let's think about it.' "

Collins has a 332-287 overall record and was 137-109 with the Bulls when a young Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen couldn't get past the Detroit Pistons.

MAYO REPRESENTATION

FORMER USC STAR SIGNS WITH LEBRON'S AGENT

O.J. Mayo has new representation — LeBron James' agent, Leon Rose.

Mike Woelfel, a Huntington, W.Va., lawyer for Mayo's family, confirmed the signing, which was first reported yesterday by The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington. Woelfel didn't immediately return a telephone message to The Associated Press.

Mayo and agent Calvin Andrews of Bill Duffy Associates parted ways last month over the distraction of allegations first revealed in an ESPN report.

Former Mayo associate Louis Johnson told ESPN that Mayo associate Rodney Guillory received money from the agency BDA Sports and funneled cash and gifts to Mayo.

Mayo, a former Huntington High and Ohio prep standout, has denied receiving any improper funds.

Mayo played one season at USC before declaring for this month's NBA draft.

TRAIL BLAZERS

SPAIN'S FERNANDEZ WILL SIGN FOR NEXT SEASON

Guard Rudy Fernandez said yesterday that he plans to leave his Spanish ACB League team to join Portland.

Fernandez made the announcement at a press conference in Spain. The Trail Blazers cannot comment, because of league rules, until he signs with the team July 1.

"It has not been easy for me to take this decision, but it is the moment to face new challenges," Fernandez said. "Now, I have the chance to fulfill a dream and become part of the NBA."

The 6-foot-6 shooting guard averaged 21.2 points, 4.1 assists and 3.1 rebounds for DKV Joventut Badalona this past season.

The 24th overall pick in the 2007 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, he was acquired by Portland for cash considerations.

Fernandez will make about $900,000 his rookie season because of NBA rules, about half of what he would have made with his Spanish team.

LAW AND ORDER

EX-FRESNO STATE STAR ARRESTED AFTER CRASH

Former NBA player Chris Herren was charged with driving under the influence of drugs after police found him slumped over the wheel of his running car, which crashed into a utility pole in Fall River, Mass.

Sgt. Thomas Mauretti said an officer found a hypodermic needle and a small blue bag in the car that he recognized as packaging for heroin Wednesday. He said the officer believed the 32-year-old Herren had overdosed.

Herren, who played at Fresno State, was transported to Charlton Memorial Hospital, where he was listed in good condition yesterday. He was also charged with possession of a class A drug and reckless operation.

No court date has been set.

Herren played for the Denver Nuggets and Boston Celtics from 1999 to 2001.

FINALS TV RATINGS

LAKERS-CELTICS OPENER SCORES 8.7 ON ABC

The Lakers-Celtics matchup gave the NBA finals' television ratings a big boost.

Game 1 on Thursday averaged an 8.7 rating on ABC, the network said yesterday. That's up 38 percent from the 6.3 during last year's Cavaliers-Spurs series.

It's the highest Game 1 rating since Lakers-Pistons in 2004 drew a 9.8.

The rating is the percentage watching a program among homes with televisions.