ORLANDO -- That lucky Phil Jackson did it again. He just sat there on his makeshift throne, smirked and watched his superior players beat up on another sorry team and gift-wrap him another title.
That's what a lot of Boston fans are saying today. For all we know, that's what Red Auerbach is saying.
It must have really pained them to watch Jackson get on the stage after Sunday's night's win. Everybody else was sporting a gray cap proclaiming the Lakers NBA Champions.
Jackson 's had on a yellow one with one purple letter on the front.
X.
No, Spike Lee hadn't just given Jackson a leftover prop from Malcolm X. It was X as in 10, X as in one more than title than Auerbach, X as in the numbers don't lie.
Jackson is the greatest coach in NBA history.
Maybe we should say modern NBA history, meaning when players stopped putting on canvas sneakers and started wearing jewelry. That way, we could still call Auerbach the greatest coach in Paleontological NBA history and appease the Celtics/Auerbach diehards.
There really is no way to definitively say Coach A or Coach B is the greatest coach of all time. It's like saying Alexander the Great was a better conqueror than Genghis Kahn or Robert E. Lee could command circles around George S. Patton.
As tough as those guys had it, none had to deal with free agency or Dennis Rodman.
Different eras make head-to-head comparisons impossible. But I could easily argue that Jackson would have had an easier time succeeding in Auerbach's era than Auerbach would in Jackson's.
I could, but that would just irritate the Celtics faithful. We come not to bury Auerbach. We come to praise Coach X.
"I'll smoke a cigar tonight in his memory," Jackson said of old Red.
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That did allude to one reason Auerbach couldn't make it big today: He'd be banned from every NBA building for incessant cigar smoking. That habit irritated everybody Auerbach beat, just as today's losers view Jackson's trademark smirk as sign of smugness. It probably is, but you'd be smirking too if you had as many rings as you do fingers and thumbs.
Jackson's latest piece of jewelry may be his favorite. He did it without Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen or Shaquille O'Neal. If only he'd done it without Kobe Bryant, his critics might give him his due.
"I don't know Phil Jackson at all," Stan Van Gundy said. "But damn, look at the guy's record. It's undeniable."
If you insist on saying Jackson is just a good coach blessed with great players, the Flat Earth Society has a membership form for you.
"I don't know of a team that's ever won it once that didn't have great players," Van Gundy said.
That would include Auerbach's Celtics teams, unless Bill Russell, Sam Jones, Bob Cousy and K.C. Jones really weren't all that great.
This Lakers team wasn't great. It was a very good team with a great player. Whatever his team's physical or emotional makeup has been over the years, Jackson found ways to get the most out of his players.
"Phil's belief in his players, I think, far outweighs any other coach that I've played for, in terms of his willingness to let the players be players and make plays," Derek Fisher said.You saw it throughout the Finals. Fisher hitting killer 3-pointers in Game 4. Trevor Ariza going LeBron on the Magic during the second quarter Sunday night. More importantly, Bryant developing enough faith to let his teammates do some of the lifting.
This was undoubtedly Bryant's finest hour. If only he would have taken the microphone from Stuart Scott at the trophy presentation and started rapping back at O'Neal. We all remember Shaq's rant after the Lakers lost last year's Finals. He screeched that Kobe would never win without him and told his former teammate to taste his rear end.
Shaq has Twittered throughout the series that he was pulling for the Lakers. If you believe that, I have a warehouse full of Kazaam DVDs to sell you.
It was a lot easier for Kobe to prove he bested Shaq than for Jackson to prove he got over on Auerbach. Maybe if Red could Twitter he would give Jackson his due.
"U can coach Zen Man. "
Auerbach was rarely so benevolent toward Jackson while he was alive. Maybe it was hard for him to respect all that psycho-babble, or the fact Jackson never won a title with a starting lineup of four midgets and a blind man.
Whatever, it was fitting that Bill Russell was on stage to present the MVP trophy to Bryant. Please note the great center did not walk off or turn his back when the great coach came to the front wearing his X hat.
Jackson was asked if he could put No. 10 in historical perspective.
"I can," he said, "but I'd like to say it's really about the players."
Auerbach fans will call that false modesty. That doesn't matter. The only people who really mattered bought what Jackson was selling.
They could also see that this title was special. Jackson is 63, but two hip replacements have left him as spry as a man 40 years older. He sits on a raised, cushioned seat to make it through games.
He doesn't know how many more NBA years he has left, but it might be zero.
"You can see in his eyes how ecstatic he is," Bryant said.
When they got to the locker room, Bryant made a point for the players to encircle their coach and crank up a champagne shower.
"He took off his glasses, threw back his head and soaked it all in," Bryant said.
Now he may well hobble into the sunset, though the question will remain.
If you aren't convinced of Jackson 's status by now, you never will be. For those not blinded by cigar smoke, the answer is easy.
Who is the greatest coach ever?
X marks the spot.
Latest NBA Finals Photos
Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers' won the NBA championship. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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A man jumps on a car as Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of the NBA basketball finals ito win the NBA championship.(AP Photo/Jae Hong)
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Fan Ricky Cavazos celebrates after the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship in Los Angeles June 14, 2009. The Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship by defeating the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their NBA Finals basketball game. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Fans celebrate as the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship, in Los Angeles June 14, 2009. The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th championship and first since 2002 with a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the NBA Finals on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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Fans celebrate as the Los Angeles Lakers won their 15th NBA Championship, in Los Angeles June 14, 2009. The Los Angeles Lakers captured their 15th championship and first since 2002 with a 99-86 victory over the Orlando Magic in Game Five of the NBA Finals on Sunday. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni (UNITED STATES SPORT BASKETBALL)
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A police officer chases away two men vandalizing a police vehicle in Los Angeles after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA championship, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Two men attempt to break an information stand in Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA title. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Los Angeles Lakers fans celebrate the Lakers' NBA championship outside the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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A group of people take goods from a shoe store in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA title. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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A group of people take goods from a shoe store in downtown Los Angeles, Sunday, June 14, 2009 after the Lakers defeated the Orlando Magic to win the NBA title. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
6-15-2009 @ 4:06AM
lopjackie21 said...
Eat your hearts out you miserable Kobe haters!!!
I'm so glad Kobe won another championship....and
without Shaq!!! To all of you Kobe haters....
eat crow!!!! Ahahahahaha!
Kobe is AWESOME!!!!!
Go KOBE.....GO LAKERRRRRRRRRS!!!!!!!
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 2:54PM
HI CMA MAN said...
Kobe got LUCKY. Orlando gave away game 2 and 4. If it was any other team, The Lakers would have been 1 - 3 before last night's game. Kobe is a great player, but, he still gets too many calls going his way. Not to mention he cheated on his wife, which makes him a sad excuse for a husband. As for Jackson, hey happened to be lucky coaching teams that had great players.
6-15-2009 @ 7:04AM
marylulu325 said...
Phil Jackson you are the best. ith a quiet demeanor, you have motivated and guided your players in the game and in off the game thinking as well. Its true basketball coaches get the least attention for what they do compared to the football coaches and even those baseball coaches
(who coach what?) Love you and hope you stay with the lakers for another season. You are as big a part of the team as any player.
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6-15-2009 @ 7:59AM
obamaizadick said...
Phil is the greatest of all time, but he looks whipped. I'd be surprised if he doesn't hang it up.
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6-15-2009 @ 9:30AM
Michael gifford said...
PJ deserves the accolades, even though he's adult enough to not need them...he will most likely enjoy the accomplishment but somewhere I really think he more enjoys the growth of Kobe and the evolution of ALL the players he's worked with. That's where his legacy really lives, in his philosophy that it's more important than just winning a ring, when the people on the team grow as human beings.
As for Red and the Celtic fans...the article answers the questions but they will never accept the answer
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6-15-2009 @ 1:54PM
welcome said...
Red won nine titles with one team. Phil won more titles with the Bulls than with the Lakers. That answers the questions right there, but you'll never accept the answer.
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 1:59PM
nexxtlevell said...
MJ, Phil, MJ, Scottie, Steve, Dennis. the BULLS BABY!!! THE BULLS!!!!!!
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6-15-2009 @ 4:48PM
mrpap3rbagz said...
lets go LAKERS make it back to back.any hater out there just wacth game 5 all over again YOU'LL SEE WHY we 09'Champsssssssssssssss
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6-15-2009 @ 2:14PM
espy said...
I just want to ask the magic players what happen??????
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6-15-2009 @ 2:17PM
espy said...
maybe next year lebron will get to be in that same stage as us next year cuz you all know damn well were repeating as conferance champs and finals champ................i mean why not any haters out there reply here
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6-15-2009 @ 2:18PM
espy said...
oh and phil jackson should retire why?????? cuz he's the MAN of b ball
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6-15-2009 @ 2:54PM
rimbaud40 said...
It's amazing how dumb and unaware the analysts are when discussing Phil Jackson's achievements. Before Jackson arrived, two very talented teams won ZERO CHAMPIONSHIPS. Jordan had been frustrated, year after year, until Jackson made him play team basketball. The Lakers had Shaq, Kobe, Eldon Campbell, Nick Van Exel, and could not win. Very simple: Zero championships without Phil Jackson, 10 with him. His ability to develop great players out of nobodies is amazing. Just look at Trevor Ariza: he couldn't even get playing time in Orlando, and at times in the Finals, he outplayed everyone on the court, including Kobe. Lamar Odom??? Just another good player going nowhere until he turned into a star in Los Angeles. Gasol? A scoring/rebounding machine who could not spell "defense" until he came to L.A. You have to be terminally dumb to not recognize what Jackson did. Red Auerbach had the greatest talent margin in NBA history: the most dominant player in Russell, the greatest back court in Cousy and K.C., and one great player after another with Lucas and Havlicek. The athletes today are better, more difficult to manage, the talent pool is deeper, and free agency changes the landscape constantly. And still Jackson finds ways to teach, motivate, and win. No one has ever done what Jackson has done: win against ever-mounting odds.
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6-15-2009 @ 2:56PM
HI CMA MAN said...
I think game 2 and 4 was FIXED. How on earth can you miss so many foul shouts the last few minutes of a game!!!!!!!!!!
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 3:05PM
Magic said...
how do yu figure the Lakers got lucky, they won 4 games to 1 and easily could have won the game they lost, Orlando sucks and the best team won the title
Howard cant do nothing but rebound and block shots, he is another dennis rodman who couldnt score either, give bynum 2-3 more years and he will be dominant just like his teacher Kareem was
Reply
6-15-2009 @ 3:14PM
Michael gifford said...
clearly some people must have lost money on the magic...magic obviously had earned the right to play for the title...they beat last years Eastern championship finalists, both of them on their way to the finals this year...however, their team wasn't quite ready to win it all...they may be next year, NO repeat is guaranteed...health, new contracts, players shifting to opponents to make them stronger ALL factor in...plus, we don't know if PJ is staying on, without him the Lakers don't win this one...and without him, it could be a few more years before they win again...a new system takes time to adjust to and players thriving in this one might not play well in others. But for me, this was a very satisfying win for PJ, for Kobe who has redeemed himself as a player rising as a leader like a phoenix from the ashes of some bad personal and professional choices and league wide, NO ONE faults him on his work ethic and competitive drive...so far those pathetic few who for one reason or another still want to flame via the "rapist" comment....grow up...he's not the same person as he was when that happened, and unfortunately, you apparently still are....
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6-15-2009 @ 3:25PM
claytor said...
Lets see...Red didnt "inherit" great teams, nor players...he BUILT one, and drafted them himself.
That alone is why Red > Phil, always shall be.
That being said, i commend Phil on his ability to capitolize on these inheritances.
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6-15-2009 @ 3:37PM
hilryshaves said...
Kobe's march through the west was like Sherman's march to the sea..amazing.
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6-15-2009 @ 4:17PM
mif991 said...
10 rings to 9. Phil is the best as of yesterday. Haters, now try not to have a cow.
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6-15-2009 @ 4:19PM
mif991 said...
Yeah, it looked fixed against the Lakers. Good think they pulled it out with guts. I agree.
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6-15-2009 @ 10:01PM
rah-rah said...
I've been a Phil fan since he played for my beloved knicks, whom I followed religiously from my first year as a ten year old basketball fan in 69. He not only is the best basketball coach in history, he is one of the best coaches of any sport, period. Derek fisher summed it up when he commented on Phils ability to treat his players like men and allow them to play their game. And while Stan van gungy heeped praise on Jackson, he might want to learn a few things from Phil, like not throwing your players under the bus time after time. Don't get me wrong, Phil will call you out, but he know how to do it to inspire, without stepping on a players dignity. One reason I think people question his coaching genius is because of his ability to co-exist with Black players, something Jimmy Johnson knew how to do before he became an analyst and f'd up his rep with insipid criticism disquised as "analysis", resulting in a failed tenure with the Dolphins. Phil doesnt play to the media, either. he plays to his players. A truly class act, on the court, the bench, and in life, he deserves all the accolades he gets...and then some.
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