i was listening to The Herd this morning, and Colin was talking about Phil Jackson, and how he was one of the greatest coaches of all time, and i dont disagree with that. He has won 9 championships, 6 with the Bulls, 3 with the Lakers. The 6 titles with the Bulls he had the greatest player of all time, Michael Jordan, the 3 with Lakers he had the most dominant big man of his time in Shaquille O'Neal, plus Kobe Bryant. I guess what i want to know, is could you make the argument that he is just benefitting from having the greatest players of their times? Could a Rick Adleman, or a George Karl, or Jerry Sloan, have won those championships had they coached those teams?
Jerry Sloan could have won with any of those teams, no doubt. But Jackson has benefited from the best players and the best teams. Karl, no because he doesnt preach defense.
So basically Phil Jackson has never or never will win a championship unless he has the best players in the league? Up to this point he hasnt, and he has the most talented team in the league this year, and he still may not.
he will certainly get there to have the opportunity to do it. Only time will tell. I am pulling for the Lakers, I am just not sold on Lebron personally.
damn, i could never pull for kobe, not even if the Lakers were playing the Afghanistan national team.
He is the best, thats why I like him. As much as I didnt like Jordan, I pulled for him in certain situations, he was the best.
I am interested to hear why you are not sold on Lebron this year? The playoffs have proven my personal feelings on the differences of both. You see Kobe either hanging back and letting the team get involved and usually win, Kobe take over and let the team play in the shadows and lose, or Kobe just play lights out and win which has been less frequent of late. No consistency in this team throughout the playoffs. Which Kobe are you going to get each night? Lebron always has the team involved and the strategy is smooth and consistent. He steps up when he has to but penetrates the lane often to attract attention and gives his teammates easy scoring opportunities. Lebron is doing this at a younger age and leading a team with less talent and coaching compared to the Lakers. Might be vs lesser competition so far but this is the same strategy that gave them the best record in the NBA and no losses in the playoffs.
Lebron has struggled jump shooting at times, it dosent seem like kobe struggles with his shot. As much as i hate Kobe, the losses in the Rockets series has nothing to with him, you can put the blame on the point position for letting aaron brooks torch them, and then when he torches them, the second level is not there, Pau Gasol, and Bynum have played some pathetic defense in this series. I do think Lebron is more of a leader, and i would much rather go to war with Lebron than Kobe, but im biased, i cant stand Kobe, he looks like Feivel also from American Tale.
I never said I wasnt sold on his abilities, just not his personality and the superstar treatment. When Jordan came in the league, he didnt get that treatment until he won championships. Teams like Detroit and Boston, constantly beat the hell out of Jordan mentally and physically. Todays game is a joke and marketing ploy. You cant even look at James, Wade or Kobe hard without the referree blowing the whistle. The difference is Kobe and Wade have won. Lebron hasnt. He also complains and cries alot to the refs. Holla at me when he does.
I do not see the big deal because that has always been the name of the game in the NBA Ex Carter, McGrady, Iverson, etc... Winning Championships has never been the standard for that argument. Lebron is doing more at his age then MJ, Kobe, Wade, etc... and he is now in position to win a NBA Championship already. He signs big endorsement contracts so he gets the attention. Add that to the fact that he started getting the attention in HS like no other player in NBA history. When Kobe wins one without Shaq, holla.:yelwink2:
