Phil Jackson, head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, is one of the most overrated coaches in sports today. Yes, he is a GOOD coach, but not a GREAT one. You say 9 championship rings and not great? I’m not crazy...give me a second.
First, the man has inherited the three greatest players in NBA history on his 9 championship runs. Michael Jordan in his prime, Shaq O’ Neal who is pure dominance, and Kobe Bryant who will at some point be the greatest player in NBA history (as long as he doesn’t go to jail). Two of those are on the same team, which means they should win every year and be dominant. Yes, every championship team has superstars, but my point is that they don't have the 3 greatest players ever like Phil Jackson has had throughout his NBA tenure.
Second, the triangle offense does not work with a versatile team (side note: with 4 future hall of fame players) who has the capability to run up and down the court. Gary Payton hates the triangle, and whenever he penetrates away from the triangle offense it creates openings for Shaq or Kobe in the corner. This Lakers team has the capability of being a dynasty but Phil Jackson’s stubborn triangle will not allow it. He cannot make adjustments...his GREAT players can, and that is why he has nine rings.
Third, you could have witnessed the poor coaching last night against the Detroit Pistons, who absolutely dominated the game. Jackson had two rookies in the NBA Finals in the fourth quarter when they were down -- with Gary Payton, a future hall of famer, on the bench. I would rather put Rick Fox out there, who at least has experience and won’t turn over the ball like the rookies did last night. No adjustments were made at half against the Pistons stubborn defense, no offensive or defensive matchups were changed on the Lakers side.
On the other side of the court is Larry Brown, coach of the Pistons, who can make adjustments and that is why they are up in the series and will win the series in six games. The only way the Lakers can pull this off is if Kobe takes it in his hands like he did in game 2 after following poor coaching. Kobe was frustrated, he wants to penetrate but he cannot with this formation.
What people do not understand is the triangle formation plays perfectly into the Detroit scheme of defense with the two Wallaces up the middle and the two big guards with Billups and Hamilton -- that guard matchup is not allowing Kobe a second to breathe because the triangle is allowing them to set up ready to defend the spots. Kobe was shut down in Game 3 because Brown made adjustments. For the Lakers, adjustments stubbornly won’t be, but need to be made.
Don’t get me wrong, Phil Jackson is a great psychological and philosophical coach to bring a team together, but strategically he is only good. He has nine rings because he has been blessed with the greatest players this sport has ever seen. He is overrated, and the great Detroit defense will exploit that when Phil Jackson will not be able to make adjustments to challenge the Pistons.
If the Lakers drift quietly away from the triangle, like they did when they were down 0-2 to San Antonio, you will see a different Gary Payton, and you will see the two greatest players in the NBA allow Phil Jackson to cover both hands full of...we'll call it "10 half-way deserved championship rings."
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