The Zen Master is at it Again

Yes, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson is creating his usual high quality verbal barrage. According to the L.A. Times Lakers' blog, Jackson opines (as he always does) about the physical play and proclaimed Boston's Kevin Garnett as a target.

"He was smacking Howard's arm and finally was called for an offensive foul. That's not our kind of team. We don't go out there to smack people around."

Wait, Phil. Don't you have a guy on your roster that does that? Every heard of Ron Artest? Ask Kobe and what happened in last year's playoffs. I'm sure he'll refresh your memory.

And why is Phil going after KG? Sure, he talks a mean game. He can play mean, too. Some would say Jackson's looking to gain an edge over Garnett. I think the target here could actually care less...and that has dwindled since Phil first "called out" Kevin Durant, then Steve Nash. Too much, too soon actually. When Jackson was perceived as whining about the free throw situation with Durant, Phil should have bagged his verbal sparring Jedi mind trick. It had an effect on the kid, but on the vets like Nash and KG.

So, what's Phil and Co. do now? Offer $50 for each charge taken by his players. We're all familiar with this. Some may refer to it as "flopping". You know, the tactic that Duke's interior defenders are always berated for using. A big man hits the floor in hopes of his opponent being called for a charge. Laker fans, if you absolutely abhor the use of this by Duke, or even just hate Duke, you must be seething by this revelation. But unlike Coach K, Phil can offer a financial reward., a crisp $50 bill. Don't think it's not a big deal either. Most of us think that $50 is nothing for these guys, but in this "exercise", it is. You're taking someone else's money.

And Lakers fans, you should be disappointed because your coach has just stooped. He's taking the game out of the hands of the players and putting it into the hands of the officials. We all now that cannot be an outcome we all want to see. Even if the Lakers win the series, do you honestly think proper credit will be acknowledged knwing what we know? No.

The game today is physical and the knock on the Laker team that lost in the '08 Finals was that they were soft. And they were. Let the guys play and let their play determine the outcome, not your mouth and/or incentives.

All this from a Duke fan.