Phil Jackson suggests Kevin Garnett played too physical against Dwight Howard
lakerblog.latimes.com
The Lakers may be downplaying their rivalry with Boston and saying they'd be happy meeting any opponent in the NBA Finals, so don't expect too many zingers and insults leading up to Game 1 on Thursday.
Of course, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson fits the exception. In a question related to the teams' toughness, Jackson acknowledged the contrast between the Lakers' and Celtics' physical makeups, saying, "We don't have a smackdown mentality." He then riffed on Boston forward Kevin Garnett for what Jackson perceived as playing a little too rough against Orlando center Dwight Howard in the Celtics' six-game East finals victory over the Magic.
"He was smacking Howard's arm and finally was called for an offensive foul," Jackson said of Garnett in Game 6. "That's not our kind of team. We don't go out there to smack people around."
Jackson rarely goes through a playoff series without picking on an opposing player. He first suggested Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant receives favorable treatment from officials and then recently accused Phoenix guard Steve Nash of carrying the ball. That ball is now in Garnett's court. Regardless of how Garnett responds -- whether in anger, with an insult toward Jackson or indifference -- Jackson surely will act confused over the scuffle he created. So stay tuned.
I love the way Phil Jackson operates. His singling out of a player in each series may not always work but its always worth a shot. Plus it has two ways of working. Either he can frustrate the player in question (as it has worked in previous seasons) or he can effect the way the officials call the game (as it almost always works). Plus, I think the comments had a little Joe Paterno in them. Downplay your team's physicality and hope the opposing team comes in over confident. Boston already thinks of L.A. as a finesse team. Now the Lakers have a chance to prove them wrong and get the benefit of the calls.
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