May 26, 2009: The Phil Jackson Forum
White Russian:
Phil Jackson acts the same today after a playoff game loss as he did when Michael Jordan was playing. All he does is complain about officiating when his team loses in a playoff game, but he doesn't say crap about officiating when his team wins. I wonder what Jackson would say if he were asked, "When was the last time a playoff squad led by himself lost just because the other team was better that night?"
It may be that the smug Phil Jackson has given appropriate credit to the other team, but it feels like his m.o. is to target the officials after every playoff loss. I remember way back when Jordan ruled the game and he acted the same way. It seemed like whenever the Bulls lost, Jackson would be in his post game interview complaining about the refs. Then the next game the officiating would be back to favoring the Bulls and Chicago would win.
What I hate about the refs calling the game in favor of the superstar is that if the guy is such a superstar then he shouldn't need to get calls in his favor. The game should be called the same no matter who the player is or what city he plays for. The superstars will naturally rise to the top without a boost from the refs. And the best teams will emerge without their pushing it one way or another.
Phil Jackson is obviously a good coach, but I wonder what his career record would be without Jordan in Chicago or Shaq & Kobe in L.A.
Diesel:
I dislike PJ as he thinks he knows it all and complains all the time.
The league will kill the refs who allow Clev or LA to lose a game 7. PJ
complains with every loss because he knows the score which is to allow
the superstars to shine and when his superstar can't execute as well as
the other teams superstar he gets upset and points out calls he was
getting the game before. The irony is that they have a league of
fabricated superstars when as you said if they let the game play out the
superstars would rise anyway. The fear the league has is that caustic
personalities like Sprewell or boring ones like Bibby will rise up and
not give much entertainment value. I think PJ is a great motivator and
has the ability to bring people together for a common goal. I recall
Jordan, Fisher, and Horry making some huge shots in deciding games on
his way to championships. The difference between good and great can be
very thin.