Phil Jackson says he prefers passers over shot takers; LeBron James over Kobe Bryant – NBA News
Phil Jackson featured on “HBO Real Sports” on Tuesday night, and made some interesting comments about the game of basketball and the NBA.
Jackson was asked what he thought about LeBron James and how he would use James differently from Miami coach Erik Spoelstra.
Jackson said he would change nothing. But, the thing which he said next will certainly ruffle a few feather especially in Los Angeles.
“Oh, they’re– they’re using LeBron every possible way they can. He’s such a great player. I still think his game is gonna grow. But he was like Scottie Pippen was to the Bulls. He’s maybe a pass first and shoot second player. Whereas,
you know, Michael or Kobe are like, “I’m gonna shoot this ball.” Every time they get the ball, they’re looking to score. LeBron’s not like that. And I love that about him. But he also, when he goes after scoring, he’s also terrific. You want a player that
can do both. I tried to get Kobe to do both for numbers of years, and he could. But his first instinct is to beat the guy that’s in front of him,” as reported by the Palm Beach Post.
The comments have once again started comparisons between James and Kobe. Both players are superstars in their own respect and have their own playing styles.
Kobe is an out-and-out shooter who loves to do it all. He has five championships rings and comparing him with LeBron will not be right until the latter reaches that hallmark or at least wins one championship.
However it is true that LeBron a coach’s dream. He is as good a defender as he is a scorer and also make the players around him look better with his passing.
Jackson was also asked if he thought James and teammate Dwyane Wade played well together this season, and said that the two were doing quite good actually.
Phil retired from the Los Angeles Lakers as their head coach last season and since then, he has not held any assignment related to basketball.
There were rumours that Jackson had been offered job as an executive in the Orlando Magic team, but no concrete news has come out since and Jackson is currently not involved in basketball.
Asked if he saw himself coaching LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, Jackson said that he had not considered it so far but did go on to say that he and Pat Riley could get along well, contrary to general perception. Riley is regarded
by many as the closest competitor who ever came to challenge the brilliance of the Zen Master.
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