Phil Jackson gets props simply because it's impossible to deny nine rings. But we all know he's never gotten the respect a coach with so much hardware truly deserves. You all know the common arguments: "Anybody could've won with Jordan and Pippen, with Shaq and Kobe.'' If Jackson got credit -- and it was definitely given grudgingly -- it was for being a master psychologist, for being able to handle Dennis Rodman, for getting the most out of Shaq and Kobe (at least for three years). He's never been viewed as an X-and-O man, as a basketball genius. But I'm saying today that Jackson is a bad boy when it comes to coaching. Jackson has done a tremendous job all season, but it didn't really hit me as to just how tremendous until I watched Wednesday's victory over Phoenix. He had the Lakers looking like a poor man's version -- admittedly, a very, very, very, very poor man -- of his Bulls teams. Kobe was efficient like Mike, getting everyone involved, scoring without dominating the rock, and then taking over when necessary. That Phil could get through to Kobe about the necessity of getting his teammates involved -- just like he did with Mike -- is incredible considering past beefs and books. Kobe seems to have developed the type of respect for Phil and his hoop knowledge that Mike had. Then, you had Lamar Odom playing like an oversized Pippen, serving as a key to the game in his own right by dominating Shawn Marion. The other guys were the nameless role players Jackson always loved putting around Mike and Scottie (and Dennis). And defensively, the Lakers were swarming. Granted, the Suns have few players outside of Steve Nash who can create their own shots with consistency, but no team has been able to expose that like the Lakers did Wednesday night. I know its just one game, and I still think Phoenix will win this series (after all, I have to stick with my pick). And I realize -- very few people have stated this that Phoenix has not been the same since losing Kurt Thomas to a foot injury in late February. Finally, the Suns seem to miss someone (in the absence of Amare, Thomas's post defense and toughness were critical). Nonetheless, the progress this Lakers team has made is impressive. We've seen a few coaching "legends'' fail to live up to the hype this season. Larry Brown was, of course, terrible in NYC, and Pat Riley has been "ho-hum'' in Miami (I can't believe the Heat wouldn't be at least as good as they are now under Stan Van Gundy). I'm not saying they don't deserve to be considered among the tops in their profession, but Larry, who won his only ring with a fabulous Pistons team, and Pat, who has yet to win a title without a roster full of Hall of Famers, have reminded us that, for the most part, it's all about the players. But Phil has reminded us that, if the coach is great enough, it can also be about him.
Phil is a genius which as they say- borders on insane. Just imagine the few days before PHX game 1 and the conversation at a coaches meeting goes something like this: Phil comes to his coaching staff and says "Here's what I'm thinking...Let's take the ball out of Kobe's hands, and give it to Kwame Brown and Luke Walton instead". "Let's make Kobe be the facilitator to the offense" Phil continues. "Phil, we don't have Shaq and Derek Fisher any more, Robert Horry's gone..." Brian Shaw says...not sure whether PJ is serious. "Yeah...I know". Phil says shortly, as he turns and walks out of the room. Frank Hamblin, Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis all look at each other, bewildered. After a moments hesitation, they figure Phil's gone crazy. At this very moment, Kobe strolls whistling by the door, and Kurt Rambis calls to him "Hey Kobe, come check this out". The coaching staff is pretty sure Phil has gone off his rocker, and want to see what Kobe has to say about Phil's proposition. They repeat to Kobe what Phil said to them and eagerly await his reaction... He mulls it over thoughtfully for a few seconds before saying simply "Yeah that works" as he turns and walks out of the room, just as Phil did. "Is there something were missing here?" Frank asks his team. "Yeah" Brian shaw says quizzicaly "Yeah there is...and that's exactly what Phil's going for" All three nod in unison, slowly understanding the pure genius of Phil Jackson's plan.
