Word has it that, Stern nearly committed suicide when the spurs played the piston's in the finals. Must have been a result of not seeing his darling team play in the finals.
So anyone want to weigh on Phil's legacy? Will he be remembered as one of the all time greats or a coach who has always had a loaded roster? I think this season helps his legacy because while Kobe is one of the best to have played the game - this probably isn't as easy as coaching a Shaq Kobe team, or a Jordan Pippen team. On the other hand - what coach does win with crappy teams in the NBA?
That's the point. Riley's Lakers' teams were loaded with talent. In Miami, he had the emerging superstar Dwayne Wade and Shaq just past his prime. Auerbach's teams were brimful of HoFers. Who was it again that said that a good coach is just one who doesn't mess a good thing up?
Phil is in a class by himself, and deservedly so. Enough said. Congrats to him and the entire Laker franchise.
His 2001 and 2002 Lakers squads were absolute killers. Yes, he had Shaq and Kobe, but from Fisher to Fox to Horry, everyone on those teams played their role perfectly and they all seemed to come up with killer shots at one time or another. They played excellent team basketball and their team defense in particular was superb. Generally, I find Jackson's pretentiousness to just be too much. From his whining for calls to his immature name-calling, to that "X" cap he wore the other night - I just have never liked the guy (he'll always be "Big Chief Triangle" to me). But his place as one of the best coaches in league history is far beyond question.
People who say that are idiots because if anyone had a loaded roster it was Red. How many HOFers on those Celtic teams? 10? He probably had 5 of the top 15 players of that era on the same team. Phil is the best ever without this last Championship.
So how many more does Lakers win with this group? I said five when they got Gasol. Since they lost the first against Boston, that'll leave three more. I don't think that's unrealistic. Albeit optimistic.