flipcritic
05-22-2007, 12:30 AM
I've been watching the NBA playoffs since the late 80s and I can't remember a time when coaches have been consciously using media attention to gain an edge. The Lakers and Celtics teams of the 80s didn't give a shit about dirty plays because it was more common back then.
I'm no Phil Jackson hater, but he's the only guy I can remember who started using "mind games" by pointing out supposed coaching or team flaws against his opponents. It's pretty much the rule now (the media even looks for it), as not only coaches, but players get into the act.
How I long for the day that teams and coaches just try to beat their opponents. Thank God for the Spurs vs. Jazz series in that respect. And hopefully (if we get past this round), we'll face the Pistons who I believe have the same mentality the Spurs have.
Do any of you remember of any "mind games" in the 70s or 80s? I read somewhere that Red Auerbach used to do it by rubbing it in against the Lakers. But at least he did it after they won.
I'm no Phil Jackson hater, but he's the only guy I can remember who started using "mind games" by pointing out supposed coaching or team flaws against his opponents. It's pretty much the rule now (the media even looks for it), as not only coaches, but players get into the act.
How I long for the day that teams and coaches just try to beat their opponents. Thank God for the Spurs vs. Jazz series in that respect. And hopefully (if we get past this round), we'll face the Pistons who I believe have the same mentality the Spurs have.
Do any of you remember of any "mind games" in the 70s or 80s? I read somewhere that Red Auerbach used to do it by rubbing it in against the Lakers. But at least he did it after they won.