Well, Im surprised that I havnt seen it somewhere else already. What is the general consensus of the excerpts that have been released from Jacksons upcoming book. One thing so far that I have found interesting is the section describing Bryant saying that he no longer wanted to be O'Neal's side kick. That pretty much puts to rest wether he had a hand in pushing O'Neal out the door. Please though, folks, lets not create a flame war here... I am just interested in what people think about it...not about calling names and assigning blame to one side or the other.
I don't see it as Kobe pushing Shaq or Phil out of the door. Buss had a choice to make between Kobe or Shaq and Phil. If he would have chosen to resign Shaq, Kobe would have left the Lakers via free agency. But instead he chose to sign Kobe and let Shaq and Phil leave. I see it as a smart business move for the future of the Laker Franchise. As far as the negative comments Phil has made about Kobe, he's trying to sell books.
I will say that I agree with you to a certain extent in so much as Buss had a business decision to make, and while O'Neal certainly didnt help his own situation within the organization all that much, without the push from Bryants side, I doubt Buss would have made the same decision.
Okay... Phil, Kobe and Shaq all three are responsible for their breakup. Why? Shaq was ambitious. He was so intent on being the "most dominant ever" that he decided to gain weight his last two years in the league and drop his intensity level a bit, once Kobe demanded more playing time and wanting the ball more. Kobe was selfish. Shaq was getting all of the fame, and Kobe wanted more...including the rock when it was a time to shine. Kobe stopped being the kid, the sidekick, the second option...and wanted more out of the organization and the league. Phil was self-centered. Jackson felt that one player, alongside him, equalled success...but he wanted to be responsible for that one great player. He wanted it all, and realized that most guys saw him as one of the best coaches in the NBA. Six rings with Chicago and three with Los Angeles put him on a pedastal, one that he refused to share with more than one guy. Phil gets alot of credit...but let me remind everyone, Tex Winter is the real mastermind behind the triangle, even in Chicago. Phil was there to control the egos, because honestly, no other coach is better than Phil when it comes to doing that. The triangle was designed for MJ in Chicago, and Shaq in LA...but when Phil noticed that Kobe was becoming a star, what could he do? So many comparisons to Jordan...and Phil wanted Shaq to be his star. If you were Phil Jackson...what would you do? Phil saw that the Kobe/Shaq duo were losing, now for 2 years, so making a move would be the best thing. He attempted to trade Kobe for Kidd and Marion both...and Shaq wanted to bring Penny Hardaway to Los Angeles. It was obvious that the problems were successfully avoided (since they won three rings straight), but this "family feud" was due for a blow. When the smoke cleared, Buss and Kupchak realized that they are either keeping a kid that's probably the closest thing to MJ and has yet to hit his prime, or keeping Shaq and Phil, who are both close to retirement compared to Kobe...and Phil even hinted towards retirement before the off-season anyways. All three had something to do with it...but Buss and Kupchak did what was best for our organization. Now, we are Shaq-less and we have tossed the triangle. Brand new team, a new undisputed leader, and a new coach...the way I wanted it to be since the Lakers lost two years ago.
I think that Phil is just coming out with this book to make even MORE money. When i say this to people they tell me that Phil doesnt need more money but IMO its not whether he NEEDS money but he WANTS money. All of us are greedy. Whatever we have, we always want more. I think that is the case here. Phil might be telling the truth but why does he need to tell the whole world about it? I also think that he might be trying to get back at Kobe obviously...but for the most part in my opinion, its all about the green.
Like Kobe said: "He's just trying to sell books" Whether the excerpts are true or not, it's yet another gasoline on the fire surrounding Kobe in the last year or so....Luckily, Kobe doesn't seemed fazed by it. It's yet another eye-catching story for the media but I'm glad Kobe's focused on basketball right now. Much respects to Phil for trying to make some major cash by clearing out the closet but it is clear he is only doing it for the money. What better way to gain attention then by blasting 2 players that even people outside of basketball know of? Especially by blasting one that EVERYONE knows by now. I'm pretty sure some of the things he has written in the book was added on later just to make things more interesting. Whether true or not, it is still interesting and catches the public eye.
I guess i'm with phil and shaq in this one. Kobe is too sensitive at times and receives messages from others wrongly because he translated them using his life perspectives. When there's a criticism he'll probably listen or take offense, depending on who's the source of it. If it's from Karl Malone, he'll probably listen... if it's from Shaq, no matter how sincere Shaq tried to be sometimes (although not many times), Kobe always viewed it as in Shaq trying to attack him. Probably guys like Phil, Shaq and Rick Fox don't like this quality the most from Kobe. Kobe thought he was just trying to protect himself from all these "ambush" while at the same time getting even more lost and lost as to why these guys keep hating and coming at him. So, instead of continuosly shielding himself, this time it's time to attack back at these people... and that's probably how Kobe's mind works. On the court, I'm his fan, but off the court his misperceptions of life and friendships in general are too poor. People have to be very understanding of him like Karl Malone, or they wouldn't be accepted in Kobe's circle of life. The saddest part of this may be that Kobe doesn't realise that people never meant to be personal at him. What makes him go personal at other people is because he thinks people are acting personal against him first while it has never been so. Because he acts personally against other people explains why these people are also starting to act personally against him and the two parties come back and forth at each other. This is clearly what happened with Shaq and Kobe during their career as teammates in LA.
well yeah... of course he is trying to sell books. That is the only reason that someone puts out a book in the first place. sure, there may be other issues, some might want to clear the air on a subject, revenge, trying to make some other party look bad, but the reality is the only reason to put out a book is so people will buy it and you will make money. that is an obvious statement and no one is so pure of thought that they feel Jackson was working from more altruistic motives. So the fact that he is and wants to make money is really an issue that no one should feel the need to bring up... Its the content of the book that I am more interested in hearing discussion about. I dont think that in Buss's mind there was ever any question as to what the outcome would be in this situation. And if I were in his situation being forced to make that decision and were as enamored with Bryant as much as he is, I probably would have made the exact same decision. One thing that I will say in defense of Buss, he was in a no win situation. This pretty much proves to most people that Bryant forced him to make the decision and no matter which player was going to leave, he was going to be the looser in the situation. He made the best decision that he could given the situation. Personally, I would have made the decision in favor of someone that was not forcing me to make that decision, but that is just the way I would have done it and doesnt mean that I think Buss made any seriously bad decisions in the situation.
Jackson's book is already making a lot of waves.from what i read it's a good read,and i think the book is going to detail that Jackson and Kobe weren't so lubby-dubby with one another as people probably thought. But it has given myself insight,that Jackson really thought the Kobe-vs-Shaq feud was very petty and childish which that was,and the fact that Jackson didn't like Kobe's attitude and wanted Jason Kidd and another player i can't think of because of it,is something to ponder that the Lakers had problems and things didn't appear to be so perfect. This book will sell copies for certain due to what Jackson has said about Kobe in my opinon. Are any of us planning to read the book?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">MR_SAC_KING...that other player was Shawn Marion.</div> Ooooh,Thanks.I Wanted to say Shawn Marbury,but i wasn't sure.glad i didn't post that on here But to answer my question,do any of us plan to read Jackson's book or not?
My cousin has it, and he told me that he'd let me read it before him because he's busy working on some stuff for his job right now...but I told him I didn't even care to see the first page.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Zane:</div><div class="quote_post">i just bought the book an hour ago...i cant wait to read it</div> Well tell us what you have read so far??...For some odd reason,this book particular excites me,and to reask the next jordan's question?...how much was it?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting MR_SAC_KING:</div><div class="quote_post">Well tell us what you have read so far??...For some odd reason,this book particular excites me,and to reask the next jordan's question?...how much was it?</div> i got it for 26 dollars...when i finish it ill tell you about it
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting realdealbneal:</div><div class="quote_post">My cousin has it, and he told me that he'd let me read it before him because he's busy working on some stuff for his job right now...but I told him I didn't even care to see the first page.</div> how come you dont want to read it...dont you wanna find out what really happend last season
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Zane:</div><div class="quote_post">i got it for 26 dollars...when i finish it ill tell you about it</div> Thanks...I Hope it was well worth the 26 Dollars you paid for it.i'm sure by all the hype it's been getting so far,it probably is.
Regardless of Phil's opinions on last year's season, he is a good writer and I imagine this is one of those books you won't want to put down. I'm sure PJax had just as much praise for Kobe in his book, but that's not a selling point for him. No one can deny Kobe is a superstar, nor can they deny Kobe has a huge ego. I'm planning on picking up a copy of the book just to read about an inside perspective of the Lakers last year. One thing I've always questioned about people who have spoken out about Kobe, was the fact Jerry West holds him in such high regards. West has always been a good judge of talent and character, so I find it hard to believe Kobe is really as bad as people make him out to be.
A lengthy excerpt from the book: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/bask...ex.html?cnn=yes Not sure how accurate his retelling is, but Kobe sure comes off looking like an arrogant jerk.
