I actually agree with Phil Jackass on this one. What do you think Cuban would do if he had Shaq and Kobe? The Lakers aren't going to divulge how they are compensating their players cause it is probably not within the NBA rules (see TWolves) Cuban should keep his mouth shut until his team wins something. I admire what he is doing in Dallas, Building a state of the art locker room, buying a private jet for his team and all the other things he is doing for the team, but, they haven't done anything to deserve that treatment yet. He should start by hiring a new coach. The game has passed Nelson by. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Have any of you been following this verbal media fight between Lakers' management and Mark Cuban? It's getting to be pretty fun. I obtained the following from a Usenet posting, so hopefully it's truthful. It seems like this is just the latest barrage between the two organizations : From the Dallas Morning News In Friday's Los Angeles Times, coach Phil Jackson responded to Cuban's charge that the Lakers have fallen behind the Clippers in providing adequate compensation for their players. "I heard there was a lot of misinformation in that. He should keep his mouth shut," Jackson said. Owner Jerry Buss didn't refrain from striking back, either. "There's a tendency for the new kid on the block to try to buy his way to the top," Buss said. "But, thank God, the years go by and you mature." To which Cuban responded with... "As far as Phil telling me to keep my mouth shut ... I will, while he answers why the Lakers haven't signed a single player above the minimum thisyear, why they still haven't extended [Shaquille O'Neal], and why they were trying to dump every multiyear contract they could other than Shaq and Kobe [Bryant]. I'm listening, Phil, because us new guys want to understand that strategy." And while you are at it Phil, could you also help this new guy out and tell me what you plan to tell those big salaries next year when they ask where the 10% that is being deducted from their salaries for escrow, is going to go ? It won't be in your players pockets... Where will it be ? Us new guys really want to know Call me naive, and yes I am new to this, so I could be wrong, but as an entrepreneur, in my businesses, I have always made it my job to generate new sources of revenue and increase current ones so that the company could profit, and to not use payroll cuts as my source of profits. I much prefer to err on the side of increasing the net worth of my employees. It makes for a happier and more profitable organization. but hey, that's me" ------------------ I got nothin'.
Actually, they have. I think it was either Thursday or Friday where I heard on the radio that Lakers have extended Shaq's contract for another 3 years for 80+ mil.
I don't think Phil is in the position to down Cuban on this one. He downs this man for "buying" a team, but isn't this the guy that picks teams that already have great players? Isn't this the guy that left Chicago after the greatest player ever retired and the team was torn apart? Is this the guy that roaches and takes credit for an offense that he didn't create? Just like Cuban pays for good players, Phil just sits back and let other people develope players and a great offense so he can take the credit! ...lights out... ------------------
At the time that Cuban made these remarks, the Lakers had not extended Shaq's contract. ------------------ Houston Sports Board DFW Sports Board
Phil's just mad that he doesn't have Cuban's money. ------------------ There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
They are both good enough at what they do, Phil's a winning coach, Cuban's a uber-promoter, but what they really wanna do is dance! They got Rock-star envy! ------------------
Although I'm not sure if Cuban will be succesful, I heard hime on Rome show last week and he sounds like he wants to win. He basically called out the Lakers (who now did give Shaq the max allowed) but basically said he will pay as much as he can to his players (including Finley on his current roster) without regard to the cap. He is willing to pay the luxury tax (like Portland). Also as was noted he spent alot of money on other things (jet, lockerroom, etc) to keep his team happy. I don't know if it will work, but I think he will have alot of talent on the Mavs within a couple of years.
Knowing how Cuban likes powerfowards, they'll probably land Chris Webber next year. ------------------ Who's ya daddy?
