duncan228
06-15-2009, 11:23 PM
Sure, Jackson's the best today (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Sure_Jacksons_the_best__today.html)
Buck Harvey
If Red Auerbach were still around, he'd say something. He always did.
But he would have been limited this time. Phil Jackson not only has more championships than Auerbach now, he has also eliminated Auerbach's past criticism.
Then, Auerbach said Jackson had never built a team, that all of his rosters were ready-made for him. That wasn't true this time, when Jackson remade the Lakers to win No. 10.
Still, Auerbach would come up with something. Again, he always did. And this time, he would likely make a crack about a general manager's poll taken as this season began.
How could Jackson be the best ever when his peers didn't even think he was the best in the league last fall?
Nothing Auerbach could have said would have taken away from what Jackson has accumulated over the years. He wouldn't have won 10 championships or maybe even one had he spent his career in Atlanta or Minnesota. But he also blended talent as few can.
San Antonio doesn't want to hear that, thanks to the asterisk talk. But the Spurs' coaching staff has always seen him as a special coach who incorporated the Triangle with a sense that he had all three sides covered.
His players have rarely said anything negative about him, and some, such as Steve Kerr, loved the guy. If Jackson limps away now on top, it's unlikely anyone will ever challenge his championship total.
So when a national columnist wrote Monday, Roll over Red, Phil Jackson is the greatest coach ever it's a valid opinion.
Still, these are the in-the-moment proclamations that drive talk shows. The latest image becomes the best image, and a Los Angeles Times columnist made fun of that this month. Before the playoffs began, he wrote this was the pecking order:
1. Michael Jordan. Six titles and five MVPs speak for themselves.
2. LeBron James. His time is at hand.
3. Kobe Bryant. Still great for an old guy.
By the middle of the conference finals, he wrote there had been adjustments:
1. James (tie). Game-winning three in Game 2 is stuff of legend.
1. Jordan (tie). His big shot against Cleveland was only a two-pointer.
3. Bryant. Lakers locked in battle with trendy pick Denver, after debacle vs. post-Yao Ming Rockets.
Then, as the Finals neared the end, he wrote:
1. Bryant. Finally getting his due.
2. Jordan. What's he done lately?
That's funny, and the Spurs have felt both sides of this. The same Tim Duncan who is barely mentioned now as writers feverishly raise Bryant on their greatest-ever list is the same one who was deified in 2007.
So Auerbach could make fun of the Around-the-Horn era. He could also wonder how the media most of whom never saw him coach could begin to judge him.
Still, Auerbach's best fodder would come from something recent. Every year, NBA.com conducts an annual survey of the league's GMs, and last fall was no different.
Auerbach could begin by saying the general managers were smart prognosticators. After all, they predicted the Lakers would win the title this season.
They weren't as visionary when it came to the next in line. In order, they liked the Celtics, Hornets and Spurs and Rockets, who tied for fourth.
No mention of the Magic, or even the Cavaliers and their best-in-the-league record.
Then there was the voting for the best coach. Some GMs voted for Jackson and Jerry Sloan. But most went with someone who they also cited as the one who makes the best in-game adjustments, who is the best in the last two minutes of close games, and who has the best defensive schemes.
Gregg Popovich?
If Auerbach were still around, he would love that.
Buck Harvey
If Red Auerbach were still around, he'd say something. He always did.
But he would have been limited this time. Phil Jackson not only has more championships than Auerbach now, he has also eliminated Auerbach's past criticism.
Then, Auerbach said Jackson had never built a team, that all of his rosters were ready-made for him. That wasn't true this time, when Jackson remade the Lakers to win No. 10.
Still, Auerbach would come up with something. Again, he always did. And this time, he would likely make a crack about a general manager's poll taken as this season began.
How could Jackson be the best ever when his peers didn't even think he was the best in the league last fall?
Nothing Auerbach could have said would have taken away from what Jackson has accumulated over the years. He wouldn't have won 10 championships or maybe even one had he spent his career in Atlanta or Minnesota. But he also blended talent as few can.
San Antonio doesn't want to hear that, thanks to the asterisk talk. But the Spurs' coaching staff has always seen him as a special coach who incorporated the Triangle with a sense that he had all three sides covered.
His players have rarely said anything negative about him, and some, such as Steve Kerr, loved the guy. If Jackson limps away now on top, it's unlikely anyone will ever challenge his championship total.
So when a national columnist wrote Monday, Roll over Red, Phil Jackson is the greatest coach ever it's a valid opinion.
Still, these are the in-the-moment proclamations that drive talk shows. The latest image becomes the best image, and a Los Angeles Times columnist made fun of that this month. Before the playoffs began, he wrote this was the pecking order:
1. Michael Jordan. Six titles and five MVPs speak for themselves.
2. LeBron James. His time is at hand.
3. Kobe Bryant. Still great for an old guy.
By the middle of the conference finals, he wrote there had been adjustments:
1. James (tie). Game-winning three in Game 2 is stuff of legend.
1. Jordan (tie). His big shot against Cleveland was only a two-pointer.
3. Bryant. Lakers locked in battle with trendy pick Denver, after debacle vs. post-Yao Ming Rockets.
Then, as the Finals neared the end, he wrote:
1. Bryant. Finally getting his due.
2. Jordan. What's he done lately?
That's funny, and the Spurs have felt both sides of this. The same Tim Duncan who is barely mentioned now as writers feverishly raise Bryant on their greatest-ever list is the same one who was deified in 2007.
So Auerbach could make fun of the Around-the-Horn era. He could also wonder how the media most of whom never saw him coach could begin to judge him.
Still, Auerbach's best fodder would come from something recent. Every year, NBA.com conducts an annual survey of the league's GMs, and last fall was no different.
Auerbach could begin by saying the general managers were smart prognosticators. After all, they predicted the Lakers would win the title this season.
They weren't as visionary when it came to the next in line. In order, they liked the Celtics, Hornets and Spurs and Rockets, who tied for fourth.
No mention of the Magic, or even the Cavaliers and their best-in-the-league record.
Then there was the voting for the best coach. Some GMs voted for Jackson and Jerry Sloan. But most went with someone who they also cited as the one who makes the best in-game adjustments, who is the best in the last two minutes of close games, and who has the best defensive schemes.
Gregg Popovich?
If Auerbach were still around, he would love that.