I realize Phil Jackson is among the greatest (some would say the greatest) NBA coaches, but boy does he look puzzled during the finals this year. The two comebacks the Lakers allowed the Celtics to mount in games 4 (loss) and even last night in 5 (squeaker win), in the Staples Center no less, were ugly.
If Jackson leads the Lakers to two road victories in Boston it will be his tenth title. But guess what? If he does, five of those titles will be with teams that featured the league’s Most Valuable Player: Jordan thrice, Shaq once, Kobe once. He hasn’t exactly been talent-starved.
This Laker squad isn’t as talented overall as any of Jackson’s nine other championship teams. And maybe that’s why the Great Zen Master of the NBA is struggling this year…even with MVP. But if he wins, the rehab job he managed this year–especially given his past tensions with Kobe–would be the greatest feat of his coaching career. But Doc Rivers’ Celtics look tougher and, frankly, better coached in this series so far.
–Tom Schaller