Phil's Final Conference
Monday in El Segundo, the Lakers gathered for their exit meetings with the coaching staff... and to face the local media one last time. We'll be bringing you the transcripts throughout the week, starting today with Phil Jackson (he's the coach, for those of you just tuning in...).
BK
On the progress of his exit meetings thus far-
"They're holding themselves responsible for so much for the game on Saturday. I have to get them to let go of that and realize the finale of Thursday night's game led to a certain buoyancy to Phoenix's game and a certain aspect of our own game that contributed to that loss. And not to go by that. It's hard to judge seventh games, as I told you guys (after the game). Those things sometimes are steam rollers, and there's nothing you can do. Get out of the way, it's an avalanche, and that's how it was for us. But there are things you can do to prevent that. We weren't able to do that in the first six minutes, and then it got to be the avalanche."
On thinking about what could have been done differently in the series-
"Well, we felt like we could have won, the first four games were really pretty good. They got an offensive rebound and a three point play in the first game, and they got an offensive rebound and a three point play in the sixth game. It gave them the ability to win a couple of games. We took one in game number four in that series. Game number five was difficult, because we had that whole issue that jumped in our face and distracted the team a little bit. We had some things that stood in our way during the series that we just should not have in a normal series. But they learn. And this is a growing experience. I don't in any way believe that this team could have won a championship. We were all the time about getting to the playoffs and making noise in the playoffs. That's been my whole message to these guys, and we did that. We accomplished a goal. So we met a goal, and I'm trying to make sure that they understand that. That we met that goal, and that's the important aspect about this season. They were able to rise to that occasion. What we learn from the experience that we have is what's ultimately the important thing. That this does not happen again to these players when they get into this opportunity or situation. Or to this team."
On taking away the inconsistency of this season going into next-
"We have a core of players that you'd think can understand how to finish and play in games that ultimately can contribute to a success that might be better next year. That's where our improvement level has to be. Where we finish games that we are capable of winning at a higher rate of probability. Given the incredibly difficult experience we had this season with losing close games, if we can increase that by fifty percent it would have made a remarkable difference. We would have been somewhere in the mid-fifty wins. That's the difference that this team needs to go to, to feel confident that they can go through the playoffs and not just get into the playoffs and make noise."
Do you look forward to next season being less of a teaching situation?
"No, I think more than anything else, these players understand that discipline, execution, team play were all brought to bear in critical situations. That's where they have to grow as a team. When you get to the playoffs, it's crossing the t's and dotting the i's basically that really wins the games."
On where they need to improve from a personnel standpoint-
"Well, we have some core ingredients that are pretty good. We need to improve on some areas in defense and speed that everybody's looking to improve on. Everybody wants to improve on their defense and speed, but that's one of the areas we'd like to improve on. We have some big players now which we didn't have a year ago as a basketball club going into (it) that Mitch and I and Dr. Buss, (we) went through and we were able to get some players that we feel like, "Okay, now we've got size that can contribute to our success," and you have to have that. And now it's filling in around the edges there that's going to be really important."
On the Kwame-Mihm dynamic going into next year-
"We're not worried about that at all. We know that both of them have shown their abilities. Whether they relieve each other or or whether they play together is going to be the issue of the season next year, going into the year. But we're very confident that both of them made big strides this season, and we're very pleased with the finish that Kwame was able to have. And Chris gave us 70 terrific games this year, or whatever. He missed the what, the last 12? 15? Not including playoffs... (told he missed 17 games). Wow. He only missed four weeks, and we played 17 games in four weeks in the regular season? Well, he gave us 60, 70 very good games."
On the need for more experience at guard-
"The question is are we good enough at that position, and are we experienced enough at that position. We think that both of them (Smush Parker and Sasha Vujacic) made big strides this year. And they were tested, both of them, in the playoffs. That's the assessment that Mitch and I will be going through in the next week, and then discuss over the next month and a half before the draft. And then we'll we'll work at that this summer as to how to improve."
Given the constraints on the team in terms of the cap, other contract issues, what can be set up as a realistic expectation for next year?
"We don't believe that we have to have a superstar come in here to be able to advance. That's not part of our thinking. Of course, if that was something that jumped out and was available, no team's going to turn that opportunity down. But we know we have enough physical talent. We have enough size and enough expertise to be able to compete in this Western Conference. So it's not about going out and purchasing, or having to round up another star to go into a slot. We showed we could play together as a team and everybody could contribute, and that was important in this playoffs because it gave them confidence to come back for next season."
On next year's realistic championship hopes-
"Usually you have to go through two or three rounds in the playoffs before you jump into championships. You don't go from losing in the first round to next year winning a championship. I haven't seen that happen very often. I can't remember when it has happened, to be honest with you. So we know that that's another process. It's a process that you go through. Look at Dallas. They've been knocking on the door for six years now. Five years. And they're still in a position where they might be able to compete for a championship, but yet nobody's really talking about them in the same breath- even though I am. I think they certainly are a team that's showing that possibility. However, all that being said, we think that the possibility of depth, of having some depth on this team and some experience on this team is going to be a big key."
Did Lamar's second half validate what the organization thought about him when he was brought in?
"Without a doubt, Lamar gave us and gave himself that level of expertise that we were looking for to be a complimentary player. But not even to use that word complimentary. Cooperative, or coworker with Kobe so that Kobe didn't have to go out there alone and carry the load and the brunt of scoring."
Can the playoff strategy used vs. Phoenix be adapted for next season (against everyone), or would it be better to keep with the framework used this year?
"We'll be able to compete in two different ways in that regard. We'll be able to have an inside game because we know what Chris provides for us inside, that's dependable and remarkable. Kwame's going to be able to do some things obviously through the gained confidence he has regardless of size, whether we have big guys out there competing against us or not. But I think the other aspect of it, the mobility that this team showed with Luke starting and the ability for us to use five different players in different modes is going to be a key that this team grows towards. Where we can make switches and guard guys and do things that we want to do defensively in the course of a season without being caught in mismatches or feeling like we're in a deficit position because we have to face speed one night and quickness another night."
Is Mihm better suited than Kwame to play the wing or face up game?
"He's got a better depth of shot. He can shoot an 18 foot jump shot with great consistency. But the other aspect of his game, he's not as mobile perhaps. He's a good athlete, but perhaps not as quick as Kwame. Kwame can guard people from all sizes on that position."
Can they play together next year?
"It wasn't smooth this year at all, but we have a long ways to go before we have to think about that."
On the ingredients to his successful relationship with Kobe this year-
"I think the mutual respect that we have for each other. I admire the competitive nature of his personality and the fact that he prepares himself in such a professional way to compete. And that he has developed his sense of team. All of those things I saw as growth. Last summer we exchanged some ideas and I gave him some books on leadership which may or may not have anything to do with it, but he was very receptive in that territory, and I think made perhaps some of the greatest growth in that area. Not only making incentive performances that inspired his teammates, but also gestures that kept building this team's confidence towards being a team. Working together, sharing some of the things, most critically in the prime spotlight. Being able to share the spotlight and contribute to a team effort were all things that I think (he really) values. And I think he also the fact that he won a scoring championship as a personal best. Obviously for himself it was remarkable, but I think he values winning above that, and he knows that."
On being in contact with Kobe this summer.
"Yeah, there's no doubt that we've had cursory talks over the summer in the past, but they've been really more formal. Come on up and see me type of thing in the office. But this is going to be something different, even though it's going to be a very busy summer for him. The obligations for him are large this summer as far as time and commitment (referring to USA Basketball). But we know the goal and we want to maximize that in the time we're going to be able to spend together in these next couple seasons so that we can have the best performance that we can possibly generate from this team. We worked together really well this year in a lot of the concepts and the ideas and directions that the team had to go into for various games and various periods of time. Like being patient, and even though it was heartbreaking some of the losses we had that were close, to understand that this is what makes teams good, to be resilient under these type of things and not lose faith and hope in each other."
On how this season worked for him health wise-
"Pretty good, actually. The therapy staff is good here. Terrific. It's a brutal occupation, the flying around and traveling and the kind of duress you put your system under because of the nature of the game. But I felt much better than I did the last year I was coaching in 2004."
On his relationship with Kobe. Did it go as smoothly as it appeared from the outside?
"It was remarkable. From Hawaii on, we had nothing but an easy way with each other. I think at first, we were very like, "How's this going to work?" kind of thing, but within a matter of a training camp we felt like this is going to be a really interesting year. He really took to the idea of the offense and where he played in it."
What satisfaction is there as a coach to have reached him in that way?
"It's not only him. It is about Kobe and I and our relationship which obviously has been one that's been tangled and also very wonderful over the last six or seven years. But also a team that got dispirited last year, and they lost their way. And to have numbers of those players back again and have this kind of finish with such optimism going into the summer is a really good satisfaction. These guys had good chemistry together and they hung together, and the fact that they care as much about their final game rather than just blowing it off as well, "yeah, we lost a game we should have won." But their responsibility and their ability to accept their own mistakes and improve upon them is really the key to how they go forward. The accountability that they have to accept, will make that commitment that they have towards this game and this team even better for the next year and the future."
Thanks, BK. That was great. Look forward to reading the other ones.
JF
Posted by: JF | May 09, 2006 at 12:46 PM
BK,
Great interview. I couldnt' agree with Phil more. Kobe has grown and will continue to grow as a leader and the team grew as the late season run demonstrated.
It is not how a man handles success that determines his character, it is how he handles failure. The Lakers didn't win the battle but they will win the war.
Posted by: Fan of the Mamba | May 09, 2006 at 12:52 PM
Must be hard for the haters to realize that Phil and Kobe are on the same page. Looking forward to a better season next year!
Posted by: Lakerfan | May 09, 2006 at 12:57 PM
I'm not surprised at all Kobe and Phil got along as well as they did this year. Why wouldn't they? I knew it would be different. In Chicago Phil had Jordan and Jordan was king. Phil came to the Lakers and he made Shaq king. Roght or wrong, Shaq was king and Kobe always had to keep in line. Now Shaq is gone and Phil made Kobe king. Phil has to get along with his king right? It's so damn simple yet in all the crap that has been written by ignorant writers, they never managed to grasp this concept. "You're my boy Blue!" Swicth the name and that's what Phil was saying to Kobe all year...finally.
Posted by: Murph | May 09, 2006 at 12:58 PM
thanks so much for the transcript...
i'm curious there were no questions about "kobe tanking" from the media ...obviously i'm not in L.A., so guys tell me: what's the climate like on sports radio and the like? BK, you got a handle/opinion on this?
is simers' rant alone or are there others
my self-imposed laker hiatus isn't going so well, i guess once i get some answers towards this kobe tank thing, i can relax till summer signings...
btw, i don't think i've ever disagreed more with simers than i do now.
Posted by: CBuck | May 09, 2006 at 01:02 PM
I can state unequivocally and without reservation, no coach in the NBA states his mind more eloquently than Phil Jackson.
And he’s smart too…
Posted by: Andy B | May 09, 2006 at 01:03 PM
BK!!!!! Big Ups for the PJ transcript!! With each day Game 7 is a distant memory!! I look forward to Phil, Kobe, LO, and the boys winning those close games next year & getting to the 50+ win plateau!!!
Seems like they're gong with Kwame & Mihm on the floor at the same time, I pray it works out!! The finesse of Mihm & the power of Kwame (with a years experience under their belts) is a great idea on paper, I just hope Kwame commits himself to working out on a daily basis this off season!!!
Sorry Mike T. Phil's not going ANYWHERE!!!! Ha ha ha!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 09, 2006 at 01:24 PM
BK, thanks for the insight...the future looks good, the team has a year of the "Triangle" under their belts and they can only grow from this year's playoff experience. Hopefully these guys will commit to working harder and preparing in the off season the way Kobe does...We have such a young team, I can't wait for next season!
AC
Posted by: acjunglist702 | May 09, 2006 at 01:30 PM
CBuck,
I'm sure BK will give his opinion, too, but this is my take on the "Kobe tanking it" issue.
First and foremost, I don't think for a second that Kobe purposely let the team go up in flames in a game he thought was winnable to send the front office a statement about needing help. Not buying it. Period.
A) He's too competitive for that in the regular season, much less game 7 of the playoffs.
B) The statement doesn't need to be made. Even when the team was up 3-1, it was obvious the team has needs. Does anyone really think that before game 7, Kupchak and Phil thought this was a roster for the ages? And then after game 7 they thought, "You know what, come to think of it, Kobe's right! There ARE a few holes on the squad." This was something abundantly clear all season and not necessary to spell out again, especially in that situation.
As far as Kobe "giving up" during the game, I do think that's closer to the truth, if a bit more complicated. Given their second half situation, I was surprised Kobe wasn't a little more aggressive in trying to get anything going. But if you buy the game plan (and it did bring 3 wins), Kobe eventually needed to get these guys into a flow or there's no way they'd win anyway, (short of Kobe going 100% from the field and the team suddenly defending a pick and roll). Kobe trying to go nuts with 2 or 3 defenders in his grill wouldn't have likely gotten them much closer. As I said a lot during this series, a one man show falls right into Phoenix's hands, because no solo act can outscore them. Thus, Kobe was in a situation where nothing could be done, offensively speaking, to get things on track. And I think he saw the writing on the wall and got frustrated. And then I do think a large part of him did quit.
And honestly, while I was a little disappointed by this, I was mostly found it depressing. It's very disheartening to see a guy with Kobe's competitiveness and confidence honestly (and correctly) come to the conclusion that all is lost. I'm not sure Kobe's ever felt that way in his life, so to some degree, I can understand him not knowing how to deal with it in the most constructive way. Kobe may have been pouting a bit. But mostly, I think he literally had no idea what to do.
The only thing Kobe (and most of the squad) did during game 7 that truly disappointed me was not shaking hands at the end. I don't care how humiliated they were. The Suns displayed massive huevos turning that series around and the Lakers owed it to them to pay respect. If Kobe hadn't sought out Raja for a hug, I totally understand. But he and everyone else could have offered quick congratulations before hitting the locker room. Aside from that, the whole game was such an unmitigated disaster from minute one that it's hard to pin much blame on any one person (or coach). It is, after all, a team sport.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 09, 2006 at 01:35 PM
I heard Kobe text messaged Charles Barkley after the game!!! And Charles clarified his statements about Kobe on Inside the NBA!!! Anbody got a transcipt of that!!!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 09, 2006 at 01:39 PM
Thanks bunches for the fyi BK!
I love this " The accountability that they have to accept, will make that commitment that they have towards this game and this team even better for the next year and the future."----lovin the future y'all, lovin the future.
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2006 at 01:41 PM
Mitch...if it's in inside the nba...they'll have a video version of it in nbatv...or if you have itunes...as a video podcast (just trying to help ;-)
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2006 at 01:48 PM
BK,
Any indication as to who is included in the "core" they speak of. Obviously Kobe and LO are, and I assume Mihm and Kwame. Are Sasha and Smush part of that core? As for them, I hope so, because I think they both have a ton of potential. Are Cook and George part of that core? As for them, I hope not. We can do better. Any insights on what the core is?
Thanks,
JF
Posted by: JF | May 09, 2006 at 02:00 PM
Well, if PJ can live with it, I guess I can too. He knows that you can't win without a certain level of talent and that the Lakers have to upgrade certain positions to reach a higher level. Look at the Jazz of the Stockton to Malone era. No one executed better than they did or played harder. But the complementary players around their superstars were always a little lacking. You've got to have the horses to win in the NBA. You can sense that Phil is pleased with the season overall and that the team is moving in the right direction.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 09, 2006 at 02:17 PM
Andy B
Anyone can "sound" smart whatever that means when they are being thrown "softball" questions.
Phil Jackson has an ego problem.....he thinks he is without flaws and apparently BK and the rest of the media agrees based on the questions that BK asked.
Phil Jackson was fired just two years ago and I don't think Jerry Buss made a mistake at the time....do you?
Phil Jackson or Mitch have never built a team from the ground up like Jerry West did so why is there so much confidence that these guys know what it is they are doing?
To test Phil's ego why not ask him how he has evolved as a person and a coach and what areas does HE need to grow in......and then listen to his answers. Has he assessed himself properly and if not how does he expect to assess others properly......maybe HE'S part of the problem.....just maybe?
During this interview he was very eloquent but what did he say? "We need to improve on speed and defense.......now it's filling in the edges that are going to be really important" What??
If Kobe Bryant were not on this team it would be a lottery team going nowhere fast with a worse outlook than the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks because those teams have more talent.
MITCH AND PHIL HAVE NEVER BUILT A TEAM.......NEVER.....yet we assume they know what they are doing.....why? Phil has been successful inheriting "built teams" that is his track record.....and oh by the way those teams just happened to have the No. 1 player of their era.....Micheal Jordan, Shaq and Kobe, and now Kobe Bryant.
I am so glad that Kobe will be able to express his talent on the USA team with good talent and another respected coach so the media can see the glaring differences in how Kobe will be perceived by coaches that do not have "personal" agendas.
Back to Phil.....maybe Phil can say what he learned from these leadership books that he suggested to Kobe (an attempt to take more credit) to improve his own leadership assuming of course that Phil is not perfect and he can improve.......since it was a lack of leadership that contributed to him being fired by Buss.
Maybe we should all read the Book Phil wrote while in exile in Montana the year he was gone....."it's hard out here for a Pimp" because if some talent is not brought in during Kobe's prime years Phil will continue to pimp Kobe and take all the credit.
Posted by: pfunk36 | May 09, 2006 at 02:17 PM
thanks AK for your take...
after a while, i put the game on mute and started flipping channels to deal with my frustraion ... i guess kobe, in his own way, kinda did the same
to call him a quitter, as simers did, is cheap in my opinion... altho i would NEVER say he "quit" in that sense, i think AK may be on to something
maybe kobe just "realized"
whatever that means. whatever. tough loss still, man
Posted by: CBuck | May 09, 2006 at 02:18 PM
Mitch:
The other very interesting thing last night was Charles Barkley mentioning that Kobe had gotten in touch with him, upset over the things Chuck had said about him. What did Chuck say to get Kobe upset? "I think he was being very selfish," the Chuckster had said. "I think he stopped shooting so he could say, Those guys didn't help me. Because normally if they were down by 20 points he would try to keep shooting. He was not aggressive at all; he was not shooting at all. He did the same thing a couple of years ago when he played with Shaq. He wanted to prove 'you guys can't do anything without me.' But the truth of the matter is he was very selfish."
What was Kobe's beef? Let's let Chuck explain it: "Obviously (Kobe Bryant) was not very happy (about my comments), but I appreciated him talking to me...he was pissed off, angry, upset, used great language, but what I told him was that I have no agenda. I've always said that Kobe Bryant is the best basketball player in the world. I'm always going to try to fair and honest in my opinion...but I want any coach or any player in this league to be able to call me if they disagree (with me) on any subject or something I said. I just want to make it perfectly clear that he is the best basketball player in the world, but I never have an agenda when I come on this set. That being said...I'm not going to change my opinion of what I said Saturday night. Do I think he quit? I don't think he quit, but I think he was trying to make a point and I disagree with his point. He is the most competitive player in the NBA...and I don't find any reason possible for him to take three shots (in a half) when they are getting blown out. Obviously Phoenix was the better team, but I expected him to go out in a blaze of glory...I like Kobe Bryant, I've heard that I don't like him, but I do. Even though we disagree, it's nothing personal."
Taken from slamonline.com/links
What do people want Kobe to have done? I could see him going beserk, and then someone on Phoenix potentially injuring him. The game was completely out of reach.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 09, 2006 at 02:40 PM
This is for Mitch...
You were asking about Charles Barkley and Kobe texting him...
Here it is:
http://slamonline.com/links/05082006/
Also...
Just wanted to say thanks for AK and BK for all the hard work they put into this blog...
Hope you guys get a pay raise this year !!!!
=)
Posted by: Ray B. | May 09, 2006 at 02:46 PM
Are options are very limited in the offseason...
What if we brought in Latrell Sprewell...
An instant scoring boost!
But, how would he help / hurt team chemistry.
Does Kobe-Latrell-Lamar equal volcano???
Thoughts?
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2006 at 02:50 PM
i'm still wondering why phil/mitch signed aaron mckie and jim jackson....if they weren't gonna play in the post-season...especially when we needed vet's to not get rattled in phx....
i mean--why make a big deal about those signings..if phil has no intentions of playing them...even when smush was struggling.
..?
in this offseason--whichever guards we pick up, i hope phil considers whether he will play them or not..
Posted by: laker32 | May 09, 2006 at 02:57 PM
AK
It is hilarious how you attempt to defend Kobe then lace your opinions with an attack on Kobe's character "Kobe may have been pouting". Kobe Bryant is a three-time NBA Champion and he should be respected as such and for you to "crawl inside his mind" when he stated what his reasons were who are you to doubt that.......when in the same breath you chose to give Steve Nash "the benefit of the doubt" when he was whining about the deserved suspension of Raja Bell?
Put yourself in Kobe's shoes since you afforded that luxury to Steve Nash......can you imagine what it feels like to be constantly criticized by the media and even your own coach for "not playing team ball" but when your team starts to crumble everyone EXPECTS you to save them or attempt to save them? ......and oh yeah, when you do nobody wants to give you the credit and if you fail everyone say how selfish you are because "you are not making your team better"
Which by the way was your "justification" for not voting Kobe MVP.....is this madness or what?
You think that it was closer to the truth that Kobe was "giving up" and saw the handwriting on the wall and was frustrated?
You think he "literally had no idea what to do"?
Why isn't it a question whether or not Phil "gave up" it was his game plan.....maybe Phil "literally had no idea what to do".....the last time I checked he was the coach during that game......what did he do? Did he give up by not seeing what Jimmy Jackson or Aaron McKie could do defensively to help Kobe?
Did Phil Give up by not attempting to change game plans at halftime?
Maybe Kobe being the seasoned, scientific, student of the game that he is saw this game plan as Phoenix made its adjustments as an exercise in futility......maybe he wasn't frustrated at all, he looked to me to be very calm and just accepted what was INEVITABLE if his teammates could not find a way to contribute......because if he attempted to hoist up shot after shot the media and probably you would have said he was selfishly looking to go outside the gameplan in a game that was over to shore up his stats.......and of course he wouldn't do that......It is, after all, a team sport.
Posted by: pfunk36 | May 09, 2006 at 02:58 PM
I say the Lakers need a defensive specialist, and a three point shooting specialist.
Is Doug Christie over the hill? Someone like him when he was younger. Jared Jeffries?
And then get that Reddick guy, who'll bomb in all the open looks Lamar and Kobe will get him. I don't think our pick is that high, tho.
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 09, 2006 at 02:58 PM
Let me tell you all something
REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION TO THE ROACHES KOBE ALWAYS LOSES.
REGARDLESS OF THE SITUATION TO THE LAKER NATION KOBE ALWAYS WINS
Columnists that write stuff trying to impress and influence themselves are pretty much preaching to the converted. It makes no difference. I don't believe he quit, i don't care what you think. Next Topic please.
IF THE CLIPPERS GO 4-0 OR 4-1 DID THEY QUIT?
STEVE NASH IS QUEER.
Posted by: The Troll | May 09, 2006 at 03:10 PM
Come on homeys - let game 7 be what it was - a disaster. Whether Kobe pouted, or saw the futility, or sent a point, or followed the gameplan, it was a disaster. Most of us are good fans here, but we know a pile of siht when we see it.
Kobe deserves criticism, whatever the true motivation for how he played the second half. If all of us (and around the country) could sense what Kobe was pulling, don't you think his teammates could too? Don't you think they could sense that the greatest player in the game (without question) wasn't going to play to his level and even try to save their playoff lives?
It's not important what any of us (or them) think about him, but how he impacted the team as a leader. And it was apparant to them that his attitude was - it's on you, I've done all I can.
Posted by: fanforlife | May 09, 2006 at 03:10 PM
Thanks Blind Worshipper & Ray B, for putting me up on the news!! I think that was a good move on Kobe's part & really like that he finally went at Barkley!!!
Barkley is a hater & I loved how he had to bow down when they won on Game 3 I believe on TNT & Barkley called Kobe the best player in basketball with Magic in the studio!! In fact I think he said Kobe played like Magic that night!!!!
Kobe has won over quite a few media haters this year!! Bill Simmons called him the MVP!! Barkley with his comments!!! Stephen A. Smith aka
Shaq-Nut-Hugger!!! Its no comsolation but overall maybe next year he'll start to get the benefit of the doubt!!
Posted by: Mitch | May 09, 2006 at 03:11 PM
Pfunk (my old friend),
First of all, you're equally crawling inside Kobe's head in deciding that he didn't give up. Why are you allowed to do that and I'm not? You don't truly know the answer any better than I do. This is simply my attempt at an explanation.
Second, Nash and Kobe's situations are apples and oranges. Nash's took place after a game and (in my opinion) was all about gamemanship and attempting to explain (disengenuously) the stupid actions of a teammate to prevent his suspension. In other words, it had nothing to do with himself. Kobe's situation directly related to his own in-game situation. Whether I'm correct about Kobe or not, the two have nothing in common. And in both cases, I was simply basing an opinion on the scenarios and having been around both.
Third, I wasn't ripping Kobe. I've said all along that Kobe should be applauded for how he played throughout the playoffs. I just wrote a post about how valuable his trusting of the supporting cast made him as a player and teammate. And I did put myself in Kobe's shoes, because I said that I understand why he felt the way he did, even if it may not have been the most positive reaction. That's hardly throwing the guy under the bus. He's not above criticism. No player is.
Oh, and I never said that Kobe "not making his teammates better" was why I didn't "vote" him MVP. Go back and reread it. I said it was because I don't think (up until these playoffs) he consistently balances involving his teammates and takeover mode. There's a large difference. I don't fault Kobe for not instantly making them better. I fault him for not always allowing them enough opportunities to either succeed or fail. And if his play during the postseason is any indication of the future, that won't be a concern of mine anymore.
Finally, I never said Phil didn't also give up or coached a perfect. But that wasn't the issue at hand. The question was framed to me in terms of Kobe, so I kept it with Kobe.
As I said, always good to talk.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 09, 2006 at 03:12 PM
BK,
Thank you for the conference, I'll be waiting for the next one. I really hope you can get Kobe's press conference.
As far as Kobe quitting, he would never quit on his team, specially after all that he did to make it to the playoffs, but I guess Kobe never wins.
I think in fact he showed great maturity, he realized that he cannot save the world(team) by himself. This will help the team next year, they will play more relax and not afraid of making mistakes.
Kobe is a really smart guy he does things for a purpose like Phil does. I would even say that maybe him and Phil thought this wasn't the year to advance further, call me crazy but I do believe that. Like Phil said he loses games for a purpose, he and Kobe do certain things for a purpose.
I wish Roland would let us know his take on this season and what Tex Winter thinks, and what is the behind the door comments about this season. Roland if you read this please give us your opinions and let us know what the organization thinks, please.
Posted by: lakofan | May 09, 2006 at 03:17 PM
Is it me or does this sound like Smush is gone?
" We think that both of them (Smush Parker and Sasha Vujacic) made big strides this year. And they were tested, both of them, in the playoffs. That's the assessment that Mitch and I will be going through in the next week, and then discuss over the next month and a half before the draft. And then we'll we'll work at that this summer as to how to improve."
lol
Posted by: Faith | May 09, 2006 at 03:31 PM
I think the "core" if defined as guys who have a chance to stick around longer than next year and be a part of a theoretical championship roster, would be Kobe, Odom, Kwame, and Bynum. Looking on to next year, I don't think the roster will be all that different. A few guys on the margins will come and go, but the Lakers don't have the ability to do much but tinker on the edges. Find a vet or two to help add stability. But if a superstar was available (a certain PF in Minnesota, for example) and could somehow be had with what the Lakers could offer, I think all bets are off and everyone on the roster is eligible to be moved.
Mihm is an interesting part of the equation. He can't play power forward, and unfortunately, it doesn't look like Kwame can, either. I think if they can find some backcourt help for him, the Lakers might move Mihm. It's what I'd do, at least. He has value, and I have to think he'd be easier to move than Kwame, who probably has more upside in the post, especially as a defender (though Mihm is a far more polished offensive center), though KB has a long way to go. But considering the expectations for next year will only be modestly higher than this season, I think it's worth giving Kwame a clear path to try and become a legit center in the league... or find out that he's not. The Lakers need certainty heading into '07-'08.
I think Smush will be around next year, but I don't know if it'll be as a starter. It's clear they want to improve the guard spots. But if you make Smush a backup- as he really should be- suddenly his deficiencies aren't such a big deal.
Basically, PJ and Mitch (as you'll hopefully read tomorrow) talk about the core- essentially this year's squad with whatever they can pick up with their biannual and midlevel exceptions- with optimism because they have no other alternative. After next season there could be serious change. This summer, not so much.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 09, 2006 at 03:41 PM
AK
I never crawled inside your head or Kobe's head....I simply respect Kobe for his accomplishments on the floor and based on his shown desire to win....at all times.....and how competitive he is and how hard of a worker that he is and how controlled he was after the Raja Bell hit I decided to not speculate and BELIEVE what Kobe SAID his motives were......anyone who speculates or questions his motives beyond that are also questioning his veracity and character although not directly but indirectly......and anyone who questions it publicly with no evidence, reveal the basis of a prejudiced (judging before the fact) mind when it concerns one Kobe Bryant and spreads that venom whether real or imagined into the minds of a gullable mass.......but other than that I don't have a problem :)
Posted by: pfunk36 | May 09, 2006 at 03:45 PM
Mitch,
Neither is Kwame!
HA! HA! HA!
As a matter of fact neither is Odom or Bynum. PJ wanted to get rid of one of these player but I guess he doesn't have the POWER to move any of these players. HA! HA! HA! NO POWER? LAME DUCK!
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 09, 2006 at 03:46 PM
Faith,
I think they'll both be back. Low cost, high potential.
Everyone,
I think we're going to see more and more media people jump on the Kobe bandwaggon within the next couple years. Kobe has been quite different this year at press conferences than he has in previous years. He is making the media listen to him, he's telling jokes, he's making them laugh. All stuff Shaq used to do, which is why he is so loved by the media. I wouldn't be too surprised if he won MVP either next year or the following.
JF
Posted by: JF | May 09, 2006 at 03:51 PM
your momma
Posted by: rancid 0978 | May 09, 2006 at 03:51 PM
BK,
I think you hit right on the nose with your comments about the core players and Mihm.
mike
Posted by: Michael Teniente | May 09, 2006 at 03:53 PM
Thanks for the post BK. Interesting to see what Phil has to say... I think if they can find another point guard, they'll do so. Doesn't sound like he was too impressed with Smush or Sasha.
AK, I think it's absolutely hilarious that whenever you say anything that might be considered slightly questioning of Kobe, you get ripped. Doesn't seem to matter what else you say in the post either. I guess people only see what they want to see.
Posted by: Michael A | May 09, 2006 at 03:58 PM
I'm going to rant a little here, so please bear with me...Just once, I would like to hear some unconditional support and praise for Kobe Bryant coming from Phil Jackson. Just imagine how Kobe must feel when his own coach says Dirk Nowitski should be MVP? I'm old school and to me that's just plain wrong. You never knock or belittle a teammate or player on your team. In fact, one should seek out every opportunity to boost every one on the team's morale. Your star player shouldn't be any different. Phil has stoked many a fire in the media with his ambivalent remarks concerning Kobe. We won't revisit the book here, but this past season Phil did not go out of his way to give Kobe more than lukewarm compliments and even when he did , it always seemed that his heart was not in it. I like Phil for the most part and consider him to be a great coach, but this mind game BS can be a bit much at times. Unconditional support is a necessary ingredient in anyone's success. All of us need a refuge from the world where we are appreciated and valued for our efforts. Sometimes it seems that Kobe doesn't even get that from his own coach.
Posted by: bronxlakerfan | May 09, 2006 at 04:13 PM
Is anyone going to finally admit that I was right now? Remember all season long when I said Kobe was taking too many shots? Remember how I said the Lakers would be better if Kobe shot less? Remember how I said that the supporting cast was better than either you or he was giving it credit for?
And now we saw the proof - three wins against Phoenix (and two close losses) with unselfish Kobe. This is a Phoenix team that demolished the Lakers in the regular season. Obviously, the Lakers played far better when Kobe took fewer shots, when he involved his teammates more. Can we finally admit that this is the better strategy for them? And that your previous MVP justifications ("He needs to take all the shots! He's all they have!") might just have been a little bit off?
Posted by: Jon | May 09, 2006 at 04:30 PM
Keep in mind that my belief that Mihm could/should be moved for backcourt help is not an indictment of his play, but a recognition of the reality that the team has a better shot at getting something good for him than they do for Kwame, in addition to the belief that because of Brown's athleticism he has a higher ceiling. At this moment, Mihm is in many ways superior to Kwame. He has a better offensive game and a better understanding of team defense and rotations. He's solid and relatively cheap, which makes him attractive. He can get quality players in return, not just contracts other teams want to unload. Kwame is a much stronger one-on-one post defender and has shown potential, but right now he still has some shortcomings (ex. low post offense and anything that requires him to be effective more than five feet from the hoop).
In the end, should Kwame pan out, he has the potential to be a better player than Mihm. But I think, despite a solid 25 games at the end of the year, that rival GMs are ready to give up a ton of value for him. It's in the Lakers best interest to figure out how good he really can be, so they can make a decision on him one way or the other.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 09, 2006 at 04:32 PM
If the Lakers were down 15 or less by the 4th quarter of game 7, or say even by the 9:00 mark of the 4th, I think Kobe would have started looking for his shot. Meaning, if the TEAM could make the deficit manageable, we may have seen Kobe go off. But the Lakers were down 25 at the start of the 4th, and then 27 at 8:43 remaining in the 4th.
Now, if people are complaining that he should have started gunning at this point, and that Kobe "quit", I see what they are talking about.
Before this, they don't have a case, because before that point, it's possible that the team effort could have panned out, and was even the right thing to do. So for critics saying he should have gone off on his own in the third quarter, I say that you are just plain wrong, and it's a matter of strategy that Kobe choose to defer to his teammates.
Now, back to the 9:00 mark in the 4th, Lakers down by 27. There are those that think "well, why wasn't he gunning then?" If not going off then is your definition of "quitting", when then you are entitled to that. But consider what use would that be to start looking for your own shot, when that is exactly what Phoenix was looking for? How successful would that have been, and wouldn't that relegate Kobe to some kind of sideshow and open him up to humiliation? You really think people would be saying "look at his heart, even thought they have no chance to win" OR more likely "how pathetic is he"? Add to that the chance of injury or verbal/physical skirmishes in garbage time - it just doesn't add up.
That would be like saying that a team should keep fouling even when they are down 20 points with 2 min left - you never know what might happen. Is that "quitting" by not fouling?
Posted by: Blind Worshipper | May 09, 2006 at 04:41 PM
Lets trade Mihm for some tough defensive player from Chicago who can also shoot. I dont think they'd part with Deng/Hinrich/Nocioni.
Gordon is not a defensive stud but can fill in the backcourt with Kobe. C.Duhon is actually good defensively and can shoot ok. 1 of these 2 will do us good.
This means leaving the 'big men' duties to Kwame/Bynum, a huge risk, but might be worth it.
I am pretty sure the Bulls would look at a trade involving Ben/Duhon for a bigger body.
Posted by: ravi | May 09, 2006 at 04:42 PM
Everyone who has ever been a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers should thank their lucky stars that Phil Jackson is the coach of this team.
The franchise is still paying for the fallout of 2 years ago, but if anyone can mend this team with all of its holes (and severe baggage) it will be Phil.
Posted by: William Haynes | May 09, 2006 at 04:43 PM
RIGHT NOW I ONLY KNOW ONE THING:
DUNLEAVY IS MAKING PHIL LOOK LIKE A GENIUS
Posted by: KARL | May 09, 2006 at 04:45 PM
How about Marcus Banks? He might a an option at the point. He's a very good defensive player and is a quick 6-2 type guard we need. His outside shot is questionable but he did shoot 47% from the field this season we need defense at the 1 spot more than anything else. He could be another Derek Fisher type player for us. If it weren't for the whole Gary Payton incident 2 summers ago we would've already had him.
Posted by: LakerKev | May 09, 2006 at 04:51 PM
Jon,
no one is going to give you credit because as we saw through the series that the supporting cast couldnt maintain a scoring load over a 7-game series let alone a 82-game season.
Don't overvalue the supporting cast. If they cant score consistently against Phoenix every night then they have serious flaws.
as we all know ...
Posted by: Korey | May 09, 2006 at 04:51 PM
bronxlakerfan:
"You never knock or belittle a teammate or player on your team. In fact, one should seek out every opportunity to boost every one on the team's morale."
Sure.
"Unconditional support is a necessary ingredient in anyone's success. All of us need a refuge from the world where we are appreciated and valued for our efforts. Sometimes it seems that Kobe doesn't even get that from his own coach."
Support is crucial, being a yes-man is counterproductive.
And think about it from Phil's perspective.
- Kobe essentially got him fired.
- He never thought he'd coach the Lakers again.
- He's embraced the situation for what it is.
- Maybe he really DID think Dirk was the MVP.
If Phil's happy with the Kobe situation, that makes me feel a whole lot better. But we should never ask Phil to be a yes-man.
Posted by: William Haynes | May 09, 2006 at 04:54 PM
If you are going to trade a "big guy" it should be Kwame. He is a bigger risk than Mihm when it comes to predicting future performance.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 09, 2006 at 04:58 PM
Jon,
You are assuming that the rest of the team would have been ready earlier in the season to start playing the way they were. It seems pretty clear to me that as a group they were not at that point earlier in the season.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 09, 2006 at 05:00 PM
Ravi,
I think those players from Chicago you were refering to will be used as bait to try to get Garnett. I think the Bulls will go after him. I'm all for keeping Mihm right now. If he can give us 10 & 8 next year and Kwame can boost is average to the same or more thats about 20 & 20 from the 5 spot. Thats good production. Turiaf will have a whole summer to get better and improve is game. We need to develop the talent we already have. Luke needs to work on his shooting and agressiveness and Cook needs to add a post game and ball handling to compliment his outside shooting. Bynum still needs major work regarding his footwork in the paint. I cant wait until the summer league starts in Long Beach! Who's coming with me!
Posted by: LakerKev | May 09, 2006 at 05:08 PM
Jon,
Yes, you make valid points, but you have to remember that these guys didn't know the offense all season. Yes, at the end of the season the team started to understand more which led to more wins for us, and less pressure on Kobe to score. If you watched ALL season though, you would know none of these guys could do what they did in the playoffs, at the beginning of the season. And I don't want to hear "Kobe didn't give them a chance", because as you and I both know he sees the guys play way more than we do. If they don't know the plays in practice they're not going to suddenly know them in the games. Kobe(and Phil I might add) knew these players better than we did, so that's why Phil allowed Kobe to jack up all those shots during the season.
Posted by: Weave-Man | May 09, 2006 at 05:09 PM
Assuming that the plan is to be a contender for the title in 2007-8, the major pieces really need to be in place next season, so that the players can learn the system and each other. Bynum is not going to be ready to start by then, so the plan needs to be for either Kwame or Mihm to be the starting center in that year. Kwame has a much higher risk of failure (based on his history); based on what he showed this year I disagree that he has more potential than Mihm. He doesn't appear to have a high "basketball IQ." Evenin his "good" games he hasn't done a good job of switching, catching, keeping track of three seconds, etc.
Posted by: exhelodrvr | May 09, 2006 at 05:10 PM