I think that people are saying that PJ is over-rated and getting a Piggy back ride from Shaq, not that he sucks. Of course he is not a bad coach, and neither is RT. duhhh [This message has been edited by Houston Rocks (edited March 09, 2000).]
nice one Cabbage. I've been biting my lip all day. ------------------ We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...
Actually...the Lakers were without Shaq, and Kobe for two of those games, and managed to beat the Rox one of those games. Then managed to lose one to the Rox with the two of them. Now to base of the argument. For a few years, Ive listened to every Rox fan claim how the Lakers would never go anywhere due to Shaq, and Kobe's selfish play. "Look at their 4 seed last year" "Look at their Defense" Now Im not going to claim Phil's genious, As i personally dislike the guy. But have the Rox ever had something like a 50-11 record 60 games through? Don't give me that "look at the talent" arguement either. Rudy's had 4 of the top 50 players of all time for several years and didn't win at a clip like that. The Lakers are playing great team ball, and are one of the better defensive teams (if my memory serves me correct) as compared to being one of the worst defensive teams. Phil's got Kobe passing the ball, and Shaq playing D. Which are two great accomplishments. So for those of you who claimed last year that the Lakers would never go anywhere because of Shaq and Kobe's selfish styles...if the Lakers win it, would you then change your mind on Phil's coaching abilities?
Dreamshake, Some of it would be coaching and some would be Kobe and Shaq realizing (maturing?) that they would never get there (Finals) the way they were going. Phil going to the mountaintop before probably grabbed the attention of Kobe and Shaq. Since none of the previous coaches had won a ring as a coach, Kobe and Shaq didn't heed their advice. Hard to imagine that it was almost 2 decades ago when Moses and Del went against the Celts. Four out of the top fifty? I count Dream, CB4 and Drexler. I am stumped on the fourth guy. Mango [This message has been edited by Mango (edited March 09, 2000).]
Imagine what Rudy T could have done if the 3 of the top 50 that were together here in their primes. We would have been winning at that kind of clip as well. Guys, the Lakers still haven't won it all. I'm still not sure that they will. Shaq's free throw shooting may have gotten better recently, but it still hasn't been necessary in a close game. When it's game 6 against the Jazz, Blazers, or Pacers, and it's a close game at the end, will Shaq even be in the game?
I have agree with Sir scarvajal and Dreamshake (Did I say that?) I love Rudy, and I'm glad he'll be around for four more years, but if he were to have been booted, Phil would be the coach I would have wanted. Sure, Phil has had the luxury of having great talent, but he's gotten more out of Rodman, Pippen, Shaq, and Kobe and a bunch or role players than anyone else ever even came close too. To even insinuate that he sucks is just ludicrous.
I think that Jackson is a hell of a coach. Sure he went to LA with all the talent, but Rambis, Dunleavy, and a couple of others couldn't do what Phil is doing. And how many teams have talent and don't do squat? How many number ones can the Clippers get and still SUCK SUCK SUCK!!? Look at NJ. Are they any good? And to say Portland isn't good, man, that was dumb to say. I wonder how people who know basketball call Rudy T one of the best coaches. Yet, every 3 months or so, one of us here, who is probably sitting at home scratching somewhere or cooking meatloaf, can sit here and make a list like this after watching 3 games. Is America the land of free speech or what? ------------------ Live Rocketball. Breathe Rocketball. Die with Rocketball.
See, the problem here is while Caveman claims Rudy T is a one-dimensional coach, we all see Caveman as just a one-dimensional poster. I'm afraid the BBS is condemed to have to read the same boring take for another 4-5 years.
Pumping up Phil Jackson. That says it all there. ------------------ We would like to get rookie Francis on the break for some easy scoops in the first quarter...
with those 30 posts being said- I agree that Phil Jackson is an above average coach. But I still say that HE SUCKS!! so there.
DUKUS of TRUTHUS will now answer!!! Fire Rudy and get for our coach either Goerge Karl or Pat Riley or Dale Harris or Big John Thompson!!! Notice what they all have in common? Huh. Right! They all five are Irish like the DUKE!! Rudy is Polish that is his bigest problem.
1. I am not a big Jackson fan. I am not a big Laker fan. But anyone who is saying Shaq is not playing an intense and allstar pro game of ball this year, or that Kobe hasn't stepped way up on his D and teamplay to become a premier well-rounded player (as opposed to just a saint and savior-darling in the eyes of the media)in this league .... well, ya'll aren't watching the same games I've been watching. 2. Now if Cavedweller wants to compare apples with apples, answer this: If the roles were somewhat reversed and Rudy had the present Rocket team minus a key player like Charles lost for the season and minus Hakeem for a considerable portion of the season .... while Mr. Jackson had the present Lakers minus Kobe lost for the season and minusShaq for a considerable portion of the season ..... then we could compare their respective Win-Loss columns.
So to sum up this post: 1.Shaq is the most dominant force in the NBA 2.PJ is a good motivator 3.Rudy is a better coach for his situation 4.PJ is a better coach as long as he has the top player in the NBA on his team (whether it is Jordan or Shaq) 5.Kobe is a good basketball player. 6.Next post please [This message has been edited by Houston Rocks (edited March 10, 2000).]
I would like to add two more things: 1. Rudy won the finals in 95 with only 8 players on the team- in playoffs. Not that he used only an 8 man rotation HE HAD ONLY 8 PLAYERS period.Without home court advantage. 2. Last year he took a bunch of nobodies to a medal in Olympics. jackson would quit the team if he did not have the best player in the league on his team. Although he had the third best when he was in Chicago, After Hakeem & CLyde. ( That is my bias talking) P.S. Nice to be back! ------------------ HAKEEM... the best ever!
