The only group Phil Jackson tries to brainwash more frequently than his players are the league's referees. Any way Jackson can get the zebra party to adjust their vision to a more purple-and-gold hue, he'll do it. Usually, this comes in the form of flapping his lips to the media.As the Lakers prepare for the a rematch with the Cavaliers Sunday on national T.V., Jackson has turned his attention on LeBron James and the supposed favor he curries with the refs.
Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register's Lakers blog gives Phil's mouth the spotlight:
Speaking about James' home-court advantage with the fans (and then the referees) in Cleveland, Jackson said: "They all wear No. 23 and help him throw that (expletive) up in the air when he's at the scorer's desk. He gets away with murder, on top of it, on his home court."Damn the fans for ... um ... being excited they can watch the greatest player in the world 41+ times? Whatever. But the accusation that the refs favor LeBron in Cleveland is a bit serious, and that's what Jackson is (always) after: he wants the zebra crew to swallow their whistles Sunday.
Never mind that LeBron draws more fouls on the road than at home per game (10 road, 9 home) and per minute (0.25 road, 0.23 home). And though Kobe Bryant draws plenty of fouls as well, it benefits Jackson to have the total whistle level low in Sunday's game. LeBron makes his lunch going to the rim, and the only way to stop him is to foul him. (Sometimes, that doesn't even work.) If the Lakers can get away being more physical than would normally be allowed, that'd certainly help keep LeBron from popping off.
Of course, the Cavs are stronger and more physical top to bottom. Pound 'Bron a little too much and Ben Wallace (or 'Bron himself) might have a shove or elbow at the ready.
LeBron Photos
** FILE ** In this Jan. 16, 2009 photo, Cleveland Cavaliers' Mo Williams (2) jumps to the basket against New Orleans Hornets' David West (30) in the fourth quarter in an NBA basketball game in Cleveland. Williams was not chosen as a reserve for the NBA All-Star team in a vote by Eastern Conference coaches. LeBron James and his teammates felt Williams belonged and took his omission as disrespectful to him and Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts as he falls into the row of photographers on the baseline after losing a rebound against the New York Knicks late in the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, February 4, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) greets director Spike Lee during the fourth quarter of the Cavaliers' 107-102 victory over the Knicks in their NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden in New York, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009. James had 52 points in the game. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
AP
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dribbles past David Lee #42 and Tim Thomas #2 of the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;David Lee;Tim Thomas
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers jokes with teammate Daniel Gibson #1 against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Daniel Gibson
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: Al Harrington #7 of the New York Knicks goes up against LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Al Harrington;LeBron James
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Nate Robinson
NBAE/Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 4: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots against Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Nate Robinson
NBAE/Getty Images
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers falls against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 04: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks on against the New York Knicks on February 4, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James
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Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Ya this is typical phil. He does this same type of monologue about Wade whenever he's getting ready to play the Heat. Usually he whines about his spin move or other supposed traveling violations.
Yawn.
You mean like the five step "crap walk". The league doesn't care about competition or the rules. Its based on stars and taking care of stars. Any serious fan knows the refs treat the stars differently. Its not really a sport its more like a movie where the refs and the league commissioner know the ending of each season before hand. Then they spend the year making it happen..
Greatr your comments had me rolling! True statements!
please tell me you joking about the d-wade traveling remard. EVERYONE knows that he travels, its not a secret. he's been outed by tv announces and countless youtube videos. stop being dumb.
there are some people in the league that just get away w/ stuff because of their stardom, whether its lebron, kobe, dwade and his traveling, or cp3 and his carrying over (you CANNOT make the direction changes he makes keeping the ball in one hand w/out crossing over in your dribble. its physically impossible to make the cuts he makes w/out carrying over if you're only using one hand)
Sounds like someone is taking haterade through an IV.
honestly who cares what someone like Jackson says.
If he didn't have MJ or Kobe and Shaq he would have 0 titles. He's no coaching genius he just always had the best players
phil cherry picks his teams...red auerbach coached and or built 16 championship clubs...17 if you believe he had a hand in last years champions, which most celtic fans do...the lakers got all the big calls vs celtics this year i know that...but lebron is annoying, i hate it when he does the phantom eye grab and acts like he was molested
hey steveo ,none of the players you metioned ever won titles with the coach they had before phil. think about that.
Phil Jackoff and his buddy Kurt Rambo were two of the biggest hackers ever, so they should know what a true foul is. Kobe took 20 foul shots the other night in NY, many of them touch fouls. He also knocked Pierce to the floor the other night in Boston and didn't draw a whistle. So stop whining about the refs. Try and win fair and square. Can't you see why nobody likes you outside of LA?Phil's been the major beneficiary of good/bad ref calls for years anyway. What a complainer. Did it really take a genius to coach MJ?
shaq and kobe weren't together before phil coached them. Those two are why they won the title.
and don't expect me to believe that Phil was the reason that MJ won 6 titles in his prime.
It had more to do with him being the best basketball player ever
its no secret superstars get more calls than the average player, but if you see who gets more calls its kobe. Cause on lebrons size refs let players be a little more physical with him. Somebody with the video editing skills should look at kobe and lebrons last couple game and put together a every play each of them was fouled.
Lebron gets aay with murder....lol.look at kobe!.....and back then....Jordon!......Phil....stfu
How many times did MJ get away with carrying the ball and 3 steps. Oh yea and the time he pushes Anderson of the Jazz to hit the winning basket. Funny how millions on tv saw the push but 3 guys on the court didn't. Phil you were a hack and a burn-out with the Knicks and you still couldn't tie Reds shoes
It wasn't Anderson... It was Bryon Russell. Why is everyone talking about three steps anyway? It's a known fact that you have two steps and then your jump step. I learn that in the second grade.
Is Phil really bitching about LeBron tossing chalk into the air? Please. Jordan did something similar at Bulls home games for years, but now it's a problem? If there is anyone in the NBA who has NO business at all bitching about star players getting favorable treatment from the officials, it's Phil Jackson.
For Daril wondering why none of Phil's players won titles before he got there - I would say that Tex Winter installing the triangle had more to do with any success that those teams had than Phil ever did. It's easy to look like a genius when you have the best player to ever play the game, one of the best players currently in the game, and one of the best big men to ever play.
Lebron plays less minutes at home than away (I'm thinking due to more blowouts). You can't just look at # of fouls drawn without considering the amount of time played in order to draw those fouls.
From the post:
... and per minute (0.25 road, 0.23 home).
.25 to .23 pay attention dude
You're right, my mistake.
Phil should know ! He watched one of the most unpenalized stars in league " get away " with it for years ....Jordan ! The call I will always remember is Jordan fouling To get the ball then trying to bounce it off the player while going out of bound . Replay showed that Jordan fouled and ball went off Jordan out of Bounds . Ref calls what ? Foul on the Pistons with ball off Pistons .
NBA head office loves their Stars !