Phil Jackson frustrated with Ron Artest’s decision-making
After dropping two straight games, Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson expressed his frustration and questioned Ron Artest’s decision-making in their last two games.
According to Jackson, he was surprised with Artest’s shot selection, taking two shots in the final minute of their heart-breaking loss against the Utah Jazz on Friday 26 November.
The veteran and 11-time champion coach also had some words for Artest in their surprising 95-92 loss against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday 28 November. Jackson said that Artest should have
called a time-out when he grabbed an offensive rebound with 8.6 seconds left, instead of passing it out to Kobe Bryant, who was forced to take a long three-point attempt.
“I couldn't allow that to go by without a word or two,” Jackson said on Artest’s mental lapses in their last two games. “There were a couple situations I talked to him after the game, between
him and me.”
Artest, on the other hand, defended himself, saying that Bryant asked for the ball and it was hard for him to call a time-out in that situation, especially knowing Bryant’s capability of
hitting a game-winner.
“He told me I should have called a time-out when I got the offensive rebound but it was hard to think about that when Kobe wanted the ball and Kobe was going to hit the three,” Artest said.
“When I saw Kobe I was going to give it to him. I asked Jackson 'Could everybody else on the court call the time-out since I have the ball, can somebody else call the time-out?' He said, 'Yes,' so he forgot to address it with everybody, so it's okay.”
The defensive-minded forward is only averaging 8.5 points per game this season, but despite his recent struggles and the criticisms from Jackson, Artest vowed to stay focused and help the
Lakers reach their goal of winning their third-straight title.
“I don't care about my comfort level, honestly,” Artest said. “I'm ready. It is not about me being comfortable. It is not about my comfort. Whether I'm in the game or out the game, the L.A.
Lakers are going to find a way to win and that's what's important.”
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