Highlights from Phil Jackson's pre-game press conference

Phil Jackson oN Milwaukee Bucks

Jackson expects Milwaukee's offense to consist of pick-and-rolls, pushing in transition and involving center Andrew Bogut to stave off Brandon Jennings' absence

Jackson said Andrew Bynum has had stiffness in his right knee, but didn't express much concern about it. When asked if Bynum should be less forthcoming to the media about his injuries, Jackson said, "I don't mind it. Do you guys mind it? You guys like it."

Jackson said the team mentioned during shootaround not to look ahead to the Miami game on Christmas Day. He also proposed that the NBA not schedule games on the holiday. "It's like Christian holidays don't mean to them anything anymore. Just go out and play and entertain the T.V. It's really weird, but it is what it is. We have to go to work and make the best of it. Its' a game you throw out there and you don't know how it's done and you let it go."

He thought the Lakers became too excited about last year's Christmas Day game against Cleveland. He liked the team's hunger in the 2008 Christmas Day game. "We were embarrassed," Jackson said in reference to the Lakers' 2008 Finals loss to Boston. "It was an embarrassing final game of that playoffs and the guys wanted to prove something."

Jackson described the Lakers as having strong individual defense, but lacking team defense.

Jackson doesn't know how soon Theo Ratliff will return to the lineup. He is currently rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee.

--Mark Medina

Twitter.com/latmedina

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com