Well the Celtics are up ahead of the Magic 3-0, so there's a strong likelyhood that they will go the Finals, likewise I think the Lakers are going to be in the Finals as well. Since Phil Jackson has been calling players out and trying to get in their head this year, I'm curious to see who everyone thinks he's going to call out providing he plays the Celtics in the Finals.
I think PJ fired his final shot with the Nash remarks. He won't open his mouth and say anything so direct about the Celtics unless it's to compliment them.
The only time I can remember him complimenting the opponent in the last decade was when he said, "Give the Rockets some **** credit!"
Phil Jackson suggests Kevin Garnett played too physical against Dwight Howard [rquoter]The Lakers may be downplaying their rivalry with Boston and saying they'd be happy meeting any opponent in the NBA Finals, so don't expect too many zingers and insults leading up to Game 1 on Thursday. Of course, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson fits the exception. In a question related to the teams' toughness, Jackson acknowledged the contrast between the Lakers' and Celtics' physical makeups, saying, "We don't have a smackdown mentality." He then riffed on Boston forward Kevin Garnett for what Jackson perceived as playing a little too rough against Orlando center Dwight Howard in the Celtics' six-game East finals victory over the Magic. "He was smacking Howard's arm and finally he was called for an offensive foul," Jackson said of Garnett. "That's not our team. We don't go out there and smack people around." Jackson rarely goes through a playoff series without picking on an opposing player. He first suggested Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant receives favorable treatment from officials and then recently accused Phoenix guard Steve Nash of carrying the ball. That ball is now in Garnett's court. Regardless of how Garnett responds -- whether in anger, with an insult toward Jackson or indifference -- Jackson surely will act confused over the scuffle he created. So stay tuned. One player apparently immune from Jackson's zingers is Boston center Kendrick Perkins. With Perkins being one technical foul away from drawing a one-game suspension, I asked whether Jackson had suggested to his team with extra emphasis the idea of frustrating Perkins and perhaps baiting him to get another technical so the Lakers don't have to worry about him for one of the games. He shot that strategy down, but lamented the league's rule that seven technical fouls in the postseason result in a suspension. "Those things I think should be wiped out, flagrant fouls, technical fouls," Jackson said. "It just means the longer you've been in the playoffs, the more penalized you are." [/rquoter] http://lakersblog.latimes.com/laker...layed-too-physical-against-dwight-howard.html
I actually agree with him this time. Should be a really entertaining and physical series. With that being said, I still hate both teams (especially Boston)
Too bad Rivers isn't the type that could reciprocate the mind games. If Cuban was the owner, this series would cause armageddon. There would be enough fines through the series that could purchase a MLE player.
Jackson is going to go after the Celts strongest point. Their defense. He might say that the Celts play dirty on defense, and they commit fouls on defense, etc.
Not surprising at all. What would be shocking is if the refs still fell for his little mind game after all these years.
Well that, AND to make sure his big men get protected, with plenty of opportunities to shoot FT's when the game undoubtedly goes 'rough'. This series can't be all about Kobe. This is not Phoenix -- both Gasol and Bynum need to contribute in order for them to win.
Ray Allen steps on the line when he shoots "threes". Either that or Rondo carries the ball. Rondo does carry the ball a lot.
