Asked about the Lakers being a championship contender. He says he sees two levels of teams. Dal, Phx and SA are the top. Followed by Utah, Houston and the Lakers. He felt the Lakers are a second tier team but that the playoffs would be very interesting and alot of tough 1st round match ups. Asked about the coach of the year comment regarding Red Auerbach. Phil basically poked fun at him again and talked about the rivalry. Said the reward meant alot but he didn't want to see Red on the bench etc. Asked about Kobe being chanted MVP in Boston .. Phil said he was suprised at that and times have changed. Red is rolling in his grave somewhere with a Laker being cheered like that. Asked about Bynum and the 3 along with what Drew means to the Lakers future. Says that Kobe played great, Odom having a good season until he got hurt, Walton having a career year and Smush getting better as of late but that the one suprise and the reason they were where they are right now is Bynum's shotblocking and being able to carry the middle. Said he would fine him because he has a rule bigs don't shoot 3's unless they make it. Admitted to the double standard. Talked about the tour of Washington D.C, Pentagon, memorials and the site of the 9/11 plane crashes i.e, were great for the players.
Thanks for the recap. What's funny is none of the teams PJax listed were from the Eastern Conference.
I don't blame Phil for the Red comment. The guy was always trying to take away from his accomplishments and PJax's head coach (when he was a player) had a rivalry with Auerbach.
