Not sure if anyone on the bbs has commented about this yet, but all the major sports reports(TV and internet) are carrying the the following comment from Phil Jackson about yesterdays game:- "That was an embarrassing performance by our basketball team," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I was surprised that we didn't perform better than that on national TV. I was very disappointed. "As bad as we played, even if we would have won, it would have been embarrassing." For a smart guy that's as low as you go - downplaying an opponent's win. The only embarrassment is Phil's teenage display of sour grapes.
Jackson is the most condescending jerk in the league. Those comments are not surprising at all. The guy has no class.
More comments from Jackson: "Drew . . . Bryce . . . whatever his name is . . . that kid who was out there--we never had control of him," Jackson said.
Appearantly the comments rub off on your players... Kobe on Mobleys play (they have played against each other apperantly since they grew up in the same area): "He knows if we were on the the playground Id be wrapping the ball off of his head" (From memory) Not a nice thing to say.
Dreamshake, I thought the same thing when I first read Kobe's words. But then I read that he was smiling when he said it. I don't know if that means anything, but it kind of made it sound like he wasn't trying to be arrogant. He may have just been having some fun. I don't know for sure.
Of course Kobe meant it as a jab--he couldn't stand the Shame of getting beat by Cuttino. But that's the Lakers, and Shaq. Bloated egos and the big boys on the playground (and all that crap). It seems Jackson does fit in well in LA. Well, if the Rox pull out a miracle and make the playoffs, they'll have those words to fire 'em up even more (although making the playoffs will put them around 29-9 for the rest of the season, already damn good).
I'll tell you what...I've been waiting for a long time to here an opponent say this about the Rockets: Said Rice: "[Penetration] killed us. It's going to be very important for us. . . . We can't afford to let teams continue to keep penetrating, breaking us down and getting easy shots and dropping it off to guys and just popping jumpers on us." another sign that the offense indeed has turned around 180.
I read the quote by Kobe, and didn't think it was very bad at all... evidently, Cuttino and Kobe used to play on the playgrounds... Kobe said something to the effect of "if we were back home in Philly on the playgrounds, I could still take him." He said this with a *smile* on his face... sounds like a friendly, old rivalry to me. Chill out... that's not disrespect, that's good fun. Jackson, I agree, was a jerk.
I think Phil Jackson and his Lakers underestimated the Rockets. He looked at our record and thought we would lay down for him in the fourth quarter. IMO, the Lakers would not be very happy to see us make the 8th seed, as unlikely as that is. Go Rockets!
I always say, "I just played horribly" when my team loses a game. It is just the way of the athlete. Of course, we have beat them twice now, so they are bound to be mad. ------------------ HOOP-T Hey Shaq, Acme called, and they want their bricks back!
Anyone else notice that Cuttino has been using one of Clyde's old moves? Drive towards the middle, then do a 180 off the defender for an easy layup right at the basket. Beautiful.
One good sign against the Lakers is that we were able to hold on until the end. We weren't not the first team to come out slugging against the Lakers. During no less than three separate games during the much-touted 16 game winning streak, the Lakers overcame HUGE deficits to ultimately claim victory. And against teams like New York and Charlotte. So it's no wonder that they were confident going into the second half down only 3 points. I think this is a real testament to the growth that our team has shown. They held on where other teams, more established teams (with much better records, I might add) have failed... As for Jackson's comments... well, he's right. They stunk up the house. I would have been embarrassed, too... ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
One thing for sure, the game at the end of this month will be a war. COuld you imagine the Laker shame in losing three to the tinny tiny rockets in the New Millennium ? : ).... Go Rudy, Go Cato, Go Rockets !! p.s. Please Cato, take it easy on that wrist.
Could Jackson have been more graceful? Sure. But if you're the "best team in the league" and you get blown out of the first half (by play, if not by score) by a team that could be lottery-bound, you should be embarrassed.
