Lakers Swept, Phil Jackson Retires
After the shock wore off, I started to accept reality. The Dallas Mavericks were running on all cylinders. The Lakers were squeaking by and were exposed to be shadows of their former selves. Since there won’t be any parades running through Figueroa, we may as well learn some lessons.
Great Teams Will Always Beat The Best Player
Kobe Bryant is slowing down himself, but he is still considered the best player on the planet. During their two championship run, his supporting cast played very well and even at All Star levels (Pau Gasol). The Dallas Mavericks known more for their collapses finally put it all together. From their All Star (Dirk Nowitzki) to the role players, they all made each other better and played great team basketball. Some of them had career games and near record breaking performances. Although I am a Laker fan, I had to give it up, the better team won and that is a beautiful thing. In the business world, when you are assembling your team, look for team players and a cohesive unit. You will go farther than a team who has one superstar, but doesn’t mesh well when the going gets tough.
Phil Jackson, Greatest Coach Ever
I’ve heard the haters, “He only coaches teams with the greatest players at the time.” I have to remind them, those great players never won championships until they bought into his Zen philosophy and Triangle offense. He seems so laid back and mellow, it appears he isn’t doing anything, but let his great players dominate. But managing super alpha males in the ultimate of team sports is easier said than done. When faced with a challenge, take a page from Jackson’s philosophy. You have to remain calm and do your best to solve your challenge, whatever it may be. Staying calm, I believe, will give you your best chance.
Lose Like Champions
Granted getting beat by 30 points is not fun and you have pride for being the two time defending champions, but you have to be classy when you lose as well. Your Hall of Fame coach is retiring and you go out like that? Our problems of controlling debt, retirement planning, and making a successful blog is not set on the world stage, but if things don’t go your way, remember to maintain your dignity and class.
Final Thoughts
It would have been a nice story book ending for Phil Jackson to complete another three peat and boost his ring collection to twelve, but this is a good reminder that life isn’t always a fairytale. When reality hits, assess the problem and deal with it the best you can. Phil almost seemed relived it’s over even saying referees won’t have him to push around anymore after getting hit with a $35,000 fine for criticizing them. Having more rings than fingers, having coached some of the greatest basketball players to have played the game, and dating the owner’s daughter, I think Phil Jackson will be just fine. Thanks for the memories and enjoy your retirement!
The best part of sports is that it is unpredictable! Lesser teams can easily beat more talented individuals. It is a sad ending to a dynasty! It looks like a rebuilding year, in other words a lot of changes.
You’re right. Unpredictable, the drama, and subplots are so intriguing! Rebuilding it is. Dump LO and Bynum for Dwight Howard!
Phil Jackson to coach Miami next year? What do y’all think? I just can’t see The Zen leaving the NBA for good
He sounded pretty done. Coaching the Superfriends? Might do them some good, but they’re on fire now. Can’t see him coming back.
Any team will grow old and pass on the ring. That’s what makes sports fun to watch. The sweep was really surprising though.
That’s true. Call me greedy, wanted one more, send Phil out right, and Kobe ties Jordan! Not meant to be.
It is sad to see Phil Jackson retire. I always admired his coaching style. The worst sweep that I remember was the 1989 NBA Finals when the Pistons swept the Lakers. I absolutely despised Bill Laimbeer but did feel OK for Isaiah Thomas (an Indiana Hoosier). My wife is from Michigan so she was happy. I ended up sleeping on the couch.
His Zen approach worked wonders. But at first glance he appears to be doing nothing. Guess doing nothing is something, too. His style combined with Jordan, Pippen, Shaq, and Kobe produced 11 rings. Perfect partnerships!
The best thing about Phil Jacksons retirement is all the 90s Bulls highlights that will be shown for the next few days
Funny haven’t seen much. More focus on the Heat now.
> Great teams will always beat the best player.
So true.
The beauty of that is that the best teams help make the most of every player, by unleashing what they’ve got.
So true! That’s why the great superstars make average role players better.
It’s sad to see how the last game went. The Lakers completely disintegrated and just threw in the towel. I was hoping that they will be the first team to come back from an 0-3 deficit but I already saw it not happening since the second best player on the team (Gasol) did not show up for most of the play off.
Anyways, three finals and two championship in the last three years ain’t that bad.
Disintegrate they did! Kobe must hate his team right now. Can’t complain but would have been nice to come back. Dallas is looking pretty strong this year.
i just got so tired of watching coaches half time interviews where he says things like ‘the first half we failed to drive to the hoop and we needed to get tougher on D. the guys tried to many long jump shots but when we come back in the second half hopefully it will turn around for us.’ i gave up watching the NBA after being a fan for years and years.
I agree the interviews are pretty canned, but there’s still some good drama and subplots that make the game fun to watch!
The NBA is one big sports drama! Haha. Sometime you doesn’t always stay on top of the game.
Well nobody is indispensable, there will be always a season for everything and for everyone. Phil Jacksons retirement does not mean the end of Lakers.
True. Have to say its a steep drop from Phil Jackson to Mike Brown!
I’ve heard the haters, “He only coaches teams with the greatest players at the time.” I have to remind them, those great players never won championships until they bought into his Zen philosophy and Triangle offense.
Sounds like you follow the game. Since he’s so successful, he’s bound to have haters. Thanks!
Thanks for sharing this great article..I love watching NBA.. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Ashley!
I was hoping that they will be the first team to come back from an 0-3 deficit but I already saw it not happening since the second best player on the team did not show up for most of the play off.
I felt the same. Just goes to show, one man can’t beat a team!
Well nobody is indispensable, there will be always a season for everything and for everyone. Phil Jacksons retirement does not mean the end of Lakers.
the important thing to do and to win a game is communication, teamwork, trust and respect. even if you are a great player and have a great great coach if you don’t have this kind of attitude no matter how you try your best nothing happen, and can’t success either.
Well said. Maybe you should coach the Lakers. That’s if we get a season!