The latest NBA buzz is that Phil Jackson was offered and turned down the Knicks coaching job. In so doing, he was also reported to have repeated something that he’s said several times before–that his coaching days are over. But a front office job? That would be a different matter. Here’s what’s behind Phil’s decision to stay away from what he does best — coach teams to championships. Lest we forget, he has 11 rings. For sure, he’s the best and most
Even though the Bulls unexpectedly upended Miami on Wednesday, the Heat still possess the second-longest winning streak in NBA history. The 33 consecutive games won by the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers still stands atop the record book. Even so, and given the difference in the game from then to now, comparing these two remarkable teams is an irresistible exercise in fantasy. So here goes. [Read more…]
Phil Jackson has been considered for the in-season vacancies with both the Lakers and the Nets. Both teams opted for an alternative to the most successful coach in NBA history. There were reasons why Jackson did not return to coaching, including this possibility: Could it be that Jackson wants to change his game plan and build a championship team from scratch? [Read more…]
The accepted conventional wisdom is that either the Clippers or the Thunder will ultimately represent the West in the finals. However, partisans of the Spurs and the Grizzlies believe that their respective teams are also legitimate contenders for the Western Conference crown. Me? I’d say last night’s 103-82 taming of the Grizz is a microcosm of why San Antonio is the true dark horse in this particular race. [Read more…]
Phil Jackson in 1996 coaching the Chcago Bulls Now that Phil Jackson has stated that he has “no intention of ever coaching again,” two questions remain: Why not? And what next? Here are some possible answers: [Read more…]
As the NBA season slowly unwinds, there have been several unexpected developments: The resurgence of the Knicks. The Clippers winning streak. The Lakers’ no-ring circus. But one of the biggest surprises has been the success of the Golden State Warriors. [Read more…]
Don’t rule out the possibility of Phil Jackson coaching the Brooklyn Nets. [Read more…]
There’s no question that Miami is the odds-on favorite to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Similarly, either Oklahoma City or Memphis is generally expected to survive the Western Conference playoffs. Even so, there are a pair of dark horses in each conference race that must be considered: the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers. Indeed, both of these teams have legitimate shots to turn the chalk bets into ashes. [Read more…]