http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/16/sports/basketball/16MATC.html None of the opening-round series are as fascinating as Lakers-Rockets. The battle between Shaquille O'Neal and Yao could be a classic. With Yao outplaying O'Neal several times, the Rockets were 2-2 against the Lakers during the regular season. Beyond that, there is the turmoil in the Lakers' locker room, their superstar-filled lineup, Coach Jeff Van Gundy's struggle to impose his will on the Rockets and the chilly relationship between Van Gundy and Lakers Coach Phil Jackson. In the late 1990's, when Jackson coached the Chicago Bulls, he referred to Van Gundy, the Knicks' coach then, as Gumby. Van Gundy then mocked Jackson's reliance on American Indian rituals, Zen Buddhism and the triangle offense, calling him Big Chief Triangle. The unpleasantness peaked in the spring of 1999 when Jackson met with the Knicks' president at the time, David Checketts, about replacing Van Gundy. In his 2001 book "More Than a Game," Jackson took a shot at Van Gundy, accusing him of trying to distract opponents when he stepped over the sideline and waved his arms. Go JVG, Go Rockets
My buddy and I were talking about that last night. Gonna be exciting since both coaches hate each other.
