Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson comments on Miami Heat’s offensive style of play – NBA Update
The Los Angeles coach, Phil Jackson, might be one of the greatest coaches ever to grace the National Basketball Association, but one thing is for sure, he is the biggest psychic manipulator of the modern game. Ever since seeing the Big Three trio of LeBron
James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh unite in South Beach at the start of the season, Jackson knew that a realistic threat to their third consecutive Championship had been formulated. In the months following that merger, the wily coach has missed no opportunity
to rattle the Miami Heat.
Two days after taking a shot at Miami’s cry-gate embarrassment, Jackson fired another salvo towards the team, this one coming on the eve of the Lakers’ second confrontation with the Heat. In an apparent move to rattle the Heat, Jackson spoke on Thursday
night.
“I'm not a big fan of the style that Miami plays,” Jackson said. “I like to see everybody involved in the game.”
He even compared Miami to an Xbox video game as they too rely much on 1-on-1 basketball.
Jackson was very critical about how Miami has failed to grow as team. Although the presence of LeBron, Wade and Bosh is a positive sign for their team, but they have to play like a team, not just for their own glory.
He emphasized that basketball is not an individual sport, instead a proper team game which involves every player. He named the San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics as favourites for the simple reason that they play as a team with great confidence in
each other.
Jackson said, “I think that's really important to basketball. That's what I'm trying to preach as a basketball coach, even though we have a guy that dominates the ball in Kobe (Bryant). Their basketball is very much standing with Xbox games or whatever those
games are. Basketball's not a 1-on-1 game. It's a team game.”
But as opposed to Jackson’s mind games theory, his reaction might have come based on the fact that he has always taught the word ‘team’ to his players, superstar or no superstar. Miami on the other hand are showcasing a game that is the exact opposite and
he is not impressed.
Every basketball lover respect Jackson’s every word, as he has been around for well over 20 years in the NBA. Jackson’s first major task was in Chicago, as he was selected as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls in 1989. He continued his career in Chicago
until 1998 before moving to the Los Angeles Lakers. Jackson helped Bulls win six NBA championship titles.
Phil established a great relationship with his players in Los Angeles, as his commitment towards the team has contributed in accomplishing five championship titles from 2000 to 2010. The Lakers, no doubt, benefited immensely from his presence, as they would
have never reached that much success without him.
Jackson won 11 titles so far as a coach and holds the record of winning the most number of championships as a player and a head coach. He played as a professional basketball player for the New York Knicks and also won two titles as a player in 1970 and 1973.
Jackson’s strategy seemed still good enough for winning, as his winning average of .788 proves him the best coach in NBA’s recent history.
Commenting on the Heat’s play, Jackson’s recent opinion and criticism proved a blessing in disguise for the Heat’s struggling form, as they came together and played like a team against the mighty Lakers on Thursday night and defeated them 94-88.
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