Assessment: Lakers coach Phil Jackson

 
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:15 am    Post subject: Assessment: Lakers coach Phil Jackson

By Jim O'Brien, ESPN Insider

Team Strengths

You do not have to go any further than Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson to talk about the Lakers' strengths. Kobe can play and Phil can coach.

Bryant has the highest Player Efficiency Rating in the NBA. He did not have to drop 81 points for people to come to the conclusion that he is the best in the game. He is also the only perimeter player among the stars who is a superior defender.

Jackson's teams always make the playoffs. All 14 of his teams have made the playoffs.

Team Weaknesses

Bryant's supporting cast is inconsistent and Lamar Odom has not proven he can be the sidekick that Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan.

For all the talk about Bryant being selfish, take into account that the Lakers were 9-4 in January when Bryant averaged 43.4 ppg and 4-8 when he averaged only 31.8 in February.

In addition Odom, Smush Parker and Chris Mihm struggle from the foul line.

Coaching Style

Clearly, Jackson understands the mental side of the game. He understands relationships and never misses a chance to tweak the minds of his team.

The triangle offense is a thing of beauty when it is executed with skilled players and it seems to be improving down the stretch. Bryant seems to be sharing the ball more, which is a good news/bad news story on this team.

Coaching Challenges

Jackson always will be trying to balance Bryant's great offensive skills and the triangle offense. He probably will have to let his superstar determine the balance himself.

Jackson also must get into the head of Odom and get him to be a more consistent performer.

Looking Ahead

The Lakers have the most favorable schedule of anyone locked in the battle for the last playoff spots. They have 12 of their last 23 at home. They finish the season with their last five games at the Staples Center. A huge advantage.
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Sage_10
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:50 am    Post subject:

It all depends on if everyteam we play is having a losing streak. If so Lakers are toast.
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tgf5
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 10:54 am    Post subject:

A smart man. From ESPN too. He was Philly's head coach before wasn't he?
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Agar5
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 11:11 am    Post subject:

At least he understands that when Kobe doesn't score alot it usually means the Lakers don't win. Enough of this "he is selfish" b.s. from all Haters because even they can't explain that Kobe sharing the ball and shooting less doesn't work with this team.
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Ank
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 3:24 pm    Post subject:

Phil has never had a team like this before. Even if we make the playoffs, we've got a first round exit. I want to make a move for Boozer the second we're out, just to improve our talent and prove we're making changes. Then, we can make a run at KG or Tmac or JOneal later. Even if we get none, we'll have a good second and third option on this team.
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sodapoppenski
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:14 pm    Post subject:

tgf5 wrote:
A smart man. From ESPN too. He was Philly's head coach before wasn't he?


Boston most recently if I'm not mistaken.

Everything sounds on point - except the last part.

We have the most favorable stretch-run by home-versus-away as he
pointed out - but he failed to mention that we also are tied (with the Clips)
for the 3rd-toughest opponent win-percentage.

Balance it out and I think it gives us a fairly average stretch schedule.

Still gonna have to likely pick off a couple elite teams along the way if
we wanna keep a playoff spot.
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BigEvil
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:36 pm    Post subject:

The playoffs are a different game. More than one 8th seed team has done some damage there. What if it's Dallas? Lakers seem to have their number.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:39 pm    Post subject:

tgf5 wrote:
A smart man. From ESPN too. He was Philly's head coach before wasn't he?


More trivia: He is married to Dr. Jack Ramsey's daughter. Would love to join that family for a Thanksgiving dinner conversation.
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:40 pm    Post subject:

Yummmm....Dallas

GO MAVS! EARN THAT #1 SEED!

It's gonna be (in no particular order) Spurs, Mavs, Suns and the winner
of the Northwest.

Clearly we'd prefer the Northwest winner (Denver or Utah) of that group,
but Dallas is definately the better matchup for us than the Suns or Spurs.

We haven't won one game vs. PHO or SAS since Shaq left.
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PrplReign
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:42 pm    Post subject:

sodapoppenski wrote:
Yummmm....Dallas

GO MAVS! EARN THAT #1 SEED!

It's gonna be (in no particular order) Spurs, Mavs, Suns and the winner
of the Northwest.

Clearly we'd prefer the Northwest winner (Denver or Utah) of that group,
but Dallas is definately the better matchup for us than the Suns or Spurs.

We haven't won one game vs. PHO or SAS since Shaq left.


We hadn't beaten Detroit either.
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sodapoppenski
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:45 pm    Post subject:

PrplReign wrote:
sodapoppenski wrote:
Yummmm....Dallas

GO MAVS! EARN THAT #1 SEED!

It's gonna be (in no particular order) Spurs, Mavs, Suns and the winner
of the Northwest.

Clearly we'd prefer the Northwest winner (Denver or Utah) of that group,
but Dallas is definately the better matchup for us than the Suns or Spurs.

We haven't won one game vs. PHO or SAS since Shaq left.


We hadn't beaten Detroit either.


So by your logic you'd rather face Detroit in a playoff series than Dallas?

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dino
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PostPosted: Wed Mar 08, 2006 4:50 pm    Post subject:

o'brien coached the celtics for a while then spent a year or two (?) at philly before they got mo cheeks...

as much as i do respect the job phil jackson is doing this year, considering this is probably the WORST yeam he's ever had, i do find some of his in-game decision making suspect...was wondering if it might have anything to do with him having new assistant coaches this year in shaw and rambis? think cleamons is with the hornets now...might that have any impact as well?
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