Bickerstaff-Jackson: Latest Sparring Partners Bernie Bickerstaff took exception to Phil Jackson's comments regarding the Bobcats' waiving of Kareem Rush and criticized Jackson's assertion that the move was "vindictive" because it was done with so few games left in the season. "Phil has that ability [to judge]," Bickerstaff sarcastically told the Charlotte Observer. "He was in our locker room ... at our games." Bickerstaff also mentioned the tell-all book written by Jackson in 2004, in which numerous locker-room conversations were revealed and Kobe Bryant was labeled uncoachable at times. "He probably forgets he wrote a book for profit," Bickerstaff said. "So he has a lot of credibility." -- Los Angeles Times Numbers Detail Bryant's Season NBA statistical analyst Dean Oliver, a consultant for the Seattle SuperSonics and author of "Basketball on Paper," noted of the 81-point game: "Kobe's defensive rating was also among the best on the team. It would take some work to do a good evaluation, but there is no doubt that Kobe's performance is a candidate for best individual game in history." One game does not make a case for NBA MVP, but Bryant is expected to be a top candidate for the award this season. -- Orange County Register
