I have become a Cuban fan over the last few years so I got a good chuckle out of this. In case some of you missed it, PJackson was taking shots at Cuban after the Laker/Mav game: Phil Jackson - "I know there's a lot of pressure on the refs when they come here because Mark [Cuban] has them review the tapes and send them into the league. These guys are nervous Nellies when they come in to referee in this building. But they have to do a better job than they're doing. That's not acceptable." Cuban's reponse: www.blogmaverick.com "I own Phil Jackson. Not literally of course. That thrill belongs to the smartest businesswoman in professional sports, Jeannie Buss. Figuratively however, the coach formerly known as the Zen Master must now be considered my bucket boy. "This wasn't an acquisition I proactively pursued. There wasn't an official competition that I won, thereby confirming my dominance of his psyche. Instead Phil has initiated an ongoing commentary about me that started in his previous stint with the Lakers and was reinstated this year with his return, that proves I own the guy. "For whatever reason, I have gotten to Phil so completely and thoroughly that every time he comes to Dallas he has to offer unsolicited comments about me to the media. I wonder if he dreams about me the nights he spends here in Dallas. Ok, I don't wonder. I'm curious about it. "How can the NBA coach with so many championship rings find me so intimidating? I really don't know, but he said as much in December when he called me an 'intimidating force' to the LA Times: "'Consider a place like Dallas, where the owner runs around, pumps up the volume, intimidates the referees and ... has announcers as hired cheerleaders, which is an intimidating force.' "Then of course last night he again took the initiative to comment to the media about how I am such a presence in the NBA that I turn the officials into 'nervous nellies.' Implying that I can have more influence on the outcome of a game than his coaching skills. I wish. But if Phil wants to this so, I'm fine with that. That's what happens when you own someone, they can't get you out of their head, and they don't often think, speak or act rationally. "I guess Phil was so overwhelmed that it caused him to take back-to-back delay of game penalties and the technical foul that comes with it, rather than send his team out to the court at the conclusion of a timeout in the 4th quarter. "Of course the officials weren't intimidated. At least no more than the other officials who have given Kobe technical fouls to the tune of a league-leading 11. Maybe, instead of being so concerned with Mark Cuban, Phil should be worried about the new rule in place that causes a player to be suspended a game after he gets his 16th technical foul of the season. And if I remember correctly, every technical after 16 results in a 1-game suspension as well. Can't wait to hear what he has to say when that happens. "Of course I don't truly believe that I own Phil. But that won't prevent me from walking up to him and saying 'Boo' to see if he jumps, just to find out for sure."
thats a weird article from a grown man about another grown man that are both considered to be really smart people. maybe kobe will get another tech tonight when tmac shuts him down.
There's only one owner that talks like that & his name is Mark Cuban! 16 T's and a suspention, even i didnt know that.
Cuban is an idiot. The fact that he even took time to write that makes him a tool. If he were 19 then it would be understandable.
Not for nothing, but Kobe doesn't lead the league in Techs. Ain't nobody taking that crown from Sheed. I believe he's got 13 after last night and will definitely be seeing a suspension or two before the end of the season. And Cuban talks, a lot.
My take: I think Cuban's retort shows just how stupid PJ's comments were. For a 9 time championship coach to say what PJ said is totally amazing to me and Cuban decided to rub PJ's nose in it in front of everybody. To repeat myself: I can't believe PJ said something so stupid, publicly. If he really believes it then I could do another 2-3 paragraphs on the subject. Unless PJ humbly aplogizes, he's lost a lot of respect from me. Problem is, Cuban is a smart guy and knows this. His public humiliation of PJ makes it nearly impossible for him to apologize or retract. It's safe to say PJ won't be commenting aloud on anything about Cuban in the near future.
Yeah, I heard that yesterday and thought Jackson was really stupid in that comment. First, even if he believed it, why would he admit in public that Cuban's tactic really worked? Second, Jackson himself has the reputation of intimidating officials. He's throwing stones in a glass house. Third, by saying that the refs are intimidated and it affects how they play, he in effect is admitting that he and his team are intimidated. I don't like Cuban personally. But I think what he does about officiating is good for the league. It is bad only because he is the only one who is doing it. That might indeed give the Mavs unfair advantages. But if more teams keep complaining, that would make the officiating more accountable. I don't mind refs missing calls here and there. But when it is clear that something is a pattern, it has to be addressed.
phil jackson probly shouldnt have said what he did, but mark cuban's response makes him look like an immature fool. he owns phil jackson? please. all phil has to do is say "hey cuban, see these 9 rings? how many do you have? yeah, thats what i thought...."
I wonder what Mark Cuban will be like when the spotlight is no longer on him and nobody cares about what he is saying?
When it all comes down to it, I watch NBA basketball for the players and coaches, I listen to U2 because I like their music, not because they're "good people," I watch movies with Robert DeNiro because I like his acting, etc. To me, Mark Cuban is a very small, small part of the NBA. Phil Jackson was a former player (won a ring with the Knicks, so he's actually got 10 altogether) and is, in my opinion, a very good coach. Does he say things to influence the refs and berate his opponents? Sure he does. But c'mon, Mark Cuban's response is about as immature as it gets. It's like Mark Cuban tries to be clever with his sarcasm, but it's very juvenile- and just not funny. Phil Jackson's response? "It's great to have Mark Cuban in the NBA." Says more than Cuban's entire blog.
Important point, though- if I wanted to find an expert on how to become a successful millionaire, or how to run a great sports franchise, he's certainly one of the people I would turn to. But for matters in the game of basketball? Nah.
Cuban's response is definitely immature. I think one big difference in this whole matter is Cuban doesn't really care what people think about hm. His public demeanor since he's been an NBA owner proves that. PJ cares, which is why Cuban would go so over-the-top with his reply.
i wish i were mark cuban. how sweet it is to own an nba team and be their #1 fan at the same time?! is the the only nba coach who's very close to his team?
Mark Cuban = Turd I know what PJ is trying to do and I have the same reason why he dislikes Cuban. Cuban is the NBA's version of that annoying manager in wrestling that always meddles in the matches for his wrestler...he's Jim Cornette, Jimmy Hart, Paul Bearer, Bobby Heenan rolled into one. You hope his meddling backfires on his own team, just like what happens in wrestling. I'm not pro PJ as so much anti Cuban, someone needs to punch that guy in the mouth. That crap he whined about on Yao's picks is still fresh on the mind
