Phil Jackson fires another verbal volley at Spurs

[Jimcs50]

Lest the Lakers forget who tonight's opponent is, Laker Coach Phil Jackson stoked the fire a bit by referring to San Antonio forward Bruce Bowen as "Edward Scissorhands."
Bowen, one of the better and more active defenders in the league, will again cover Kobe Bryant. Bowen was fined $10,000 for kicking Seattle guard Ray Allen in the back during the Spurs' 106-102 loss Sunday.

"Bowen's hands and feet are always moving," Jackson said. "Lot of things going on out there."

Bryant has averaged 32.3 points and only 39.4% shooting in three games against the Spurs this season.

Mindful of the Lakers' four-game winning streak at Staples Center, Jackson also expressed hope they would continue to establish home-court success by playing a "macho kind of game" against the Spurs.

[Jimcs50]

Lakers, Spurs renew rivalry
By Ross Siler Staff Writer



EL SEGUNDO - It was the rivalry that gave Phil Jackson the chance to deride San Antonio as the land of "conventioneers and tourists" and Shaquille O'Neal the chance to declare, "One lucky shot deserves another" after Derek Fisher's miracle turnaround.
It also was the rivalry that seemingly came to an end after the Lakers rallied from a two-game deficit to beat the Spurs in the 2004 Western Conference semifinals, only to part ways with Jackson and trade O'Neal after the season.

"I felt like the Soviet Union just disbanded," San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich said back in July 2004.

The two teams met four times in the playoffs during Jackson's first five years as Lakers coach and have won six of the last seven NBA championships.

But they likely will find themselves on opposite sides of the playoff bracket this season.

Unless the Lakers slip to eighth in the standings, the teams would meet only if both advanced to the Western Conference finals. Not that Jackson was willing to rule out the possibility at practice Wednesday.

"If we play well enough and survive,


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we'll see them some place," Jackson said.

If not, then tonight's game will be as close to a playoff game as the Spurs and Lakers will get. They have met twice already this month, and Jackson would like to see his team find the resolve to win at Staples Center in a way they haven't always this season.

"What this young team has to learn," Jackson said, "is how to develop their own homecourt, macho kind of game where they're really carrying the game to teams."

The Lakers also have a chance to extend their winning streak to a season-high five games and better their home record to 21-13.

[email protected]

[CubanMustGo]

Good ol' Phil. Actually I think that is about as close as he has ever come to complementing a Spurs player.

[SpursWoman]

Good ol' Phil. Actually I think that is about as close as he has ever come to complementing a Spurs player.


Yeah ... I didn't see that as a slur. His constant moving is what makes him such a good defender...

:wtf

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

So he's accusing Bowen of killing Anthony Michael Hall and breaking Wynona Ryder's heart? Or is Bruce cranking out some sweet ass topiaries now?

[LakerHater0823]

Hey Phil!! :flipoff

[pache100]

Laker Coach Phil Jackson stoked the fire a bit by referring to San Antonio forward Bruce Bowen as "Edward Scissorhands."

"Bowen's hands and feet are always moving," Jackson said. "Lot of things going on out there."

Excellent! Good job, Brucie! You have Phil scared so shitless he has to run you down to the media like the classless moron that he is.


Bryant has averaged 32.3 points and only 39.4% shooting in three games against the Spurs this season.

See?!?! Bruce for President!

[TDMVPDPOY]

Phil Jackson Gtfo!

[Solid D]

The Lakers tried to take away the inside game in LA the last time. It didn't work because the Spurs shot very well from the outside. I expect the Lakers to defend the arc much better than the Clippers did (Lakers rank 6th in Opp. 3-pt. %).

The Lakers used a different offensive strategy in San Antonio when they won on a 2nd game of a b2b and at the end of a tough travel and game schedule. The Lakers lifted 4, ran the weave and lots of cuts out of that to the basket. It opened up the middle and ran the tired Spurs into being just plain lazy on help defense.

I also expect no love from the refs for Bruce after his $10K fine.

[Phenomanul]

The Lakers tried to take away the inside game in LA the last time. It didn't work because the Spurs shot very well from the outside. I expect the Lakers to defend the arc much better than the Clippers did (Lakers rank 6th in Opp. 3-pt. %).

The Lakers used a different offensive strategy in San Antonio when they won on a 2nd game of a b2b and at the end of a tough travel and game schedule. The Lakers lifted 4, ran the weave and lots of cuts out of that to the basket. It opened up the middle and ran the tired Spurs into being just plain lazy on help defense.

I also expect no love from the refs for Bruce after his $10K fine.


Not having Mihm will hurt them against our bigs.

[CubanMustGo]

I also expect no love from the refs for Bruce after his $10K fine.

Considering how SA gets less love from the refs than any other serious contender, it wouldn't surprise if you're right ... but then again, Bruce owned up to being wrong and accepted his fine. You would hope that refs who want to hold something against him would also give some credit for that.

Ha!

[kskonn]

I actually thought he meant that bruces tactics are often mis understood and he is labeled with titles such as "dirty" . People are just not used to someone who works so hard and uses their entire body to play defense. Just like poor scissorhand, so misunderstood.

[50 cent]

"If we play well enough and survive, we'll see them some place," Jackson said.


That sounds like Phyllis complemented the Spurs.

:smokin

[CosmicCowboy]

http://www.aleruscenter.com/walloffame/larrycableguy4.jpg

Edward Scissorhands? Hehehe....now that there is funny, I don't care who you are...

[TDMVPDPOY]

lets hope one of the spurs player throws the ball out of bounds in the direction of phil jackson, and BB goes after the ball with his foot out :D:D at least he has a reason that he was goin after the ball.

[T-Pain]

philly jackson is a genious

[samikeyp]

Bowen's hands and feet are always moving

yes...its called playing defense!

[SequSpur]

So where is the verbal volley?

[leemajors]

sounds like he lobbed something else.

[Solid D]

http://images1.moviemarket.co.uk/library/photos/160/16056.jpg

[Amuseddaysleeper]

yeah i'm confused, i dont see where the insult was in that edward scissorhands statement.

[DDS4]

Bark is worse than the bite.

Phil knows what's up.

[Rummpd]

The real PJ crying will be after the game.

[Medvedenko]

Phil speaks the truth....Bruce is an all body defender, hence labelled as a dirty player. He plays tough defense and sometimes players get hurt. Who cares, more players should use their body more when playing D. Too many teams let players go off for crazy points, where all you need one player to step up and put a hard foul on someone. I like that kind of ball. There are too many friends in the L.

[samikeyp]

well said Med.

Are you ok? I worried about you when Slava was cut. :)

[Medvedenko]

I'm ok...thanks for asking...maybe I can change my name to Ronny Turiaf.....j/k, he does crack me up though with his crazy dances....

[missmyzte]

^^^ That would be a good choice, gotta love Ronny!

But about the comment on Bruce, I agree that it should be taken as a compliment. An insult would have been calling him Rip van Winkle on D.

[T-Pain]

hey i like the "verbal volley" part. pretty catchy

[pache100]

The real PJ crying will be after the game.


http://i2.tinypic.com/smsuw9.gif

[Tek_XX]

Who cares what Phillip says, he no longer has players to back up his statements

[samikeyp]

I'm ok...thanks for asking...maybe I can change my name to Ronny Turiaf.....j/k, he does crack me up though with his crazy dances....

Misti would like that! :)

[GO SPurs Go]

I actually thought he meant that bruces tactics are often mis understood and he is labeled with titles such as "dirty" . People are just not used to someone who works so hard and uses their entire body to play defense. Just like poor scissorhand, so misunderstood.
Go fuck yourself and stfu! Bowen did screw up and he did kick Allen so consider all yourselves lucky that he only had to pay $10,000. However to me his reputation as a good defender is almost gone. I hope this is a one time incident, after all I don't want to be a fan of a team with players that kick others.

[Sportcamper]

Who cares about Bowen... that guy is about as good a shot as Dick Cheney....

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Cheney has lead the league in 3 pt%? Wow.

[Sportcamper]

Fear Bowen's 3.1 PPG.... :lol

[Rynospursfan]

Fear Bowen's 3.1 PPG.... :lol


Bowen scores 7.8 PPG

[sanman53]

Maybe Phil will write another book and talk about Bruce in it.

[Trifecta]

I'm ok...thanks for asking...maybe I can change my name to Ronny Turiaf.....j/k, he does crack me up though with his crazy dances....

I was just thinking the same thing! :lol

Its easy for RT to do his dance while he is sitting that pine!

Look like he's going to have a seizure on the sidelines!

I clearly remember him doing his dance while LA enjoyed their last victory over SA.

RT -- "The man with a thousand moves" !

Waiting for game time! The truth will be told tonight!

Time for RT's dance to be on lockdown tonight!

[Sportcamper]

Smush Parker scores more points & has more rebounds than Bowen...

[Rynospursfan]

Smush Parker scores more points & has more rebounds than Bowen...


Stop with the lies man. Smush has 3.3 reb per game while Bowen averages 3.9.

[Sportcamper]

Smush (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/smush_parker/index.html)
Bowen (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bruce_bowen/index.html)

Smush has a much higher efficiency rating...Can we at least agree the Eva Longoria is a “B” actress?

[PM5K]

Interesting, so Phil gives Bruce a compliment:

"Bowens hands and feet are always moving"

Thanks Phil, that's kind of you to show some respect for exactly what great defense is, always moving your hands and feet...

[Rynospursfan]

Smush (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/smush_parker/index.html)
Bowen (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bruce_bowen/index.html)

Smush has a much higher efficiency rating...Can we at least agree the Eva Longoria is a “B” actress?


Eva is a "B" actress, but an "A" piece of ass.

[leemajors]

Smush (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/smush_parker/index.html)
Bowen (http://www.nba.com/playerfile/bruce_bowen/index.html)

Smush has a much higher efficiency rating...Can we at least agree the Eva Longoria is a “B” actress?

bowen is much more valuable to his team, who cares?

[PM5K]

Eva is a "B" actress, but an "A" piece of ass.

A+

[Solid D]

SportCamper is obviously just playin'. I don't think Smush has been invited to join Team USA any time lately.

Kobe: "Please. No way. The best defender I've ever played is Bruce Bowen. It's not even close."

[leemajors]

in other news, the NBA is targeting the mamba tights:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2390599

League and team sources have told ESPN.com that the NBA, starting next season, intends to ban the tights sported at various points this season by several players, including three MVP candidates: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

Although NBA officials are not publicly commenting on the issue, sources say that the league simply does not like the look of players wearing visible hose. It's believed that the league office, which already has regulations in place to curtail short lengths, can unilaterally outlaw tights by simply amending its uniform code before the 2006-07 season.

[yeahone]

well thats another reason to beat the lakers tonight

[Solid D]

http://images.starpulse.com/Photos/Previews/Robin-Hood-Tights-bh03.jpg

"We're men...We're men in tights!"

[exstatic]

Smush Parker is also your third option, where Bowen is numero cinquo for us based on their respective FGA. But then again, that's exactly where I want Laker Fan: with a team so out of it, he has to pick at stats for secondary or tertiary players.

[adidas11]

And Kobe scores the first basket of the game...

Anyhow, I didn't see anywhere in Phil's quotes where he disparaged Bruce Bowen.

Carry on.

[TDMVPDPOY]

does this guy even coach the team? all he does is sit back and let them play

[Kori Ellis]

Called a coward earlier in the week by Ray Allen, Bruce Bowen awoke Thursday morning to learn Lakers coach Phil Jackson had given him a different label: Edward Scissorhands.

Jackson, who delivered the nickname when speaking with Los Angeles reporters Wednesday, expanded on his comments about 90 minutes before tipoff.

"The more you move against Bowen, the quicker he reacts and the more chops he gets in," Jackson said. "He'll whack away at you while you're doing that.

"But more than anything else, Bruce plays with his feet a lot. He gets his feet underneath people, and he's tough to get through."

Bryant found that out again in the first half when Bowen stepped in front of him to draw a pair of charges.

Bryant made only 6 of 15 shots in the opening half but still had 16 points. Nick Van Exel reached in and pulled Bryant's arms down on one second-quarter drive, but the Lakers guard powered through the foul and released a high, arching shot that climbed halfway up the shot clock before dropping back through the rim.

Popovich laughed when told Jackson's name for Bowen.

"I think that's very creative and very clever," Popovich said. "I just call him Bruce."

http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA033106.1D.BKNspurs.lakers.gamer.71d06ef.html

[Kori Ellis]

The way Jackson explains it, it doesn't seem like he's saying anything bad about Bruce.

[polandprzem]

"I just call him Bruce"

:lol hahahahahahaha :lol




Now we need TP in full strenght, healthy Beno and Robert. That is it. (Timmy seems to feel better)

[MI21]

A measure of how much the opposition thinks about Bruce and his tactics is simply the amount of press he gets for a role player.

Dude is a godly defender, and would be superb in any generation.

[TDMVPDPOY]

the way phil says shit about bruce is by usin intellective words cheap shots at bruce while makin it doesnt sound like offensive to bowens game.

[Jimcs50]

Bowen May Be a Cut Above
By Mike Bresnahan, Times Staff Writer
March 31, 2006


There was never a sequel to "Edward Scissorhands," but Laker Coach Phil Jackson followed up his own thoughts on Spur forward Bruce Bowen.

A day after referring to Bowen as Edward Scissorhands, Jackson expanded his opinion, probably searching for an edge if the teams meet in the playoffs, assuming the Lakers qualify.

"The more you move against Bowen, the quicker he reacts and the more chops he gets in," Jackson said Thursday. "He'll whack away at you while you're doing that. But more than anything else, Bruce plays with his feet a lot. He gets his feet underneath people and he's tough to get through.

"He's had a license for about four years now. Prior to that, he was a spot player and it was difficult for him to get those kind of calls."

Bowen, for his part, helped hold Kobe Bryant to 23 points on nine-for-26 shooting Thursday.

[Jimcs50]

And Kobe scores the first basket of the game...

Anyhow, I didn't see anywhere in Phil's quotes where he disparaged Bruce Bowen.

Carry on.


He says he defends with his hands and gets his feet tangled up with opponent...you do not call that disparaging???

[pache100]

I don't want to be a fan of a team with players that kick others.

We don't want that, either.

[pache100]

in other news, the NBA is targeting the mamba tights:

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2390599

League and team sources have told ESPN.com that the NBA, starting next season, intends to ban the tights sported at various points this season by several players, including three MVP candidates: Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

:lol

Yesterday afternoon, the Thompson Brothers were talking about PJ calling Bruce "Edward Scissorhands" and they said they wished he'd go "snip snip" on those little tights of Kobe's!

(just thought the timing was interesting...I don't really have an opinion one way or the other about the tights...but the TBs were hilarious talking about it)


does this guy even coach the team? all he does is sit back and let them play

Right on the money. He hasn't coached since before the last year he was in LA before he took his hiatus. All that year, he just sat on the bench with his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he'd rather be just about anywhere else. Personally, I just don't think he has the interest any longer.

[Solid D]

It's more Phil spin. It is not complementary to Bruce. The word chop, whether used in basketball, hockey, football or in a meat butcher section at the local grocery store conjures up a negative image for future reference. It's a red flag word. Even when he says he moves his feet, he adds the part about getting his feet under players.

Phil-spin.

[Sportcamper]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/brian_cook.jpg

Coach Jackson noticed that I was making a considerable amount of baskets with my heels on the 3-point line... He suggested that I take one step back so that my twos would turn into threes... I told him that was odd, but he said that was besides the point...

[Sportcamper]

http://www.nba.com/media/playerfile/smush_parker.jpg

I have been traded from team to team because my shots were always going wide right....Coach Phil gave me a try-out and suggested that I part my hair right down the middle of my dome because the problem was on my head, not in it... I tried it & I've been knocking my shots down ever since...Coach Phil is a geometrical genius...

[CubanMustGo]

Hey, dude, where's your bluster about last night's game? That Bowen really sucks, doesn't he? :lol

[Sportcamper]

I was watching three hours of sports history in the making...Maria Sharapova (http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060331/capt.flkb31003310328.nasdaq_100_open_tennis_flkb31 0.jpg) vs. Tatiana Golovin (http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20060331/capt.flkb31903310508.nasdaq_100_open_tennis_flkb31 9.jpg)...AKA the Thrilla at Key Biscayne...

I didn’t have time for girly sports... :smokin

[leemajors]

the way phil says shit about bruce is by usin intellective words cheap shots at bruce while makin it doesnt sound like offensive to bowens game.

well, if they are intellective words that's understandishable.