2008 Woodie Awards
Lakers Own Five Advantages Over NBA's Playoff Elite
Eric Patten
Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: Sports
Admittedly, I am a Laker-hater, which makes these next few admissions more painful than watching Bret Michaels find true love while pretending he doesn't have a receding hairline.
After witnessing two rounds of NBA playoff match-ups, the Lakers are best suited to win the title. And it's not because they are the postseason's hottest team, but because they have five distinct advantages over everyone else.
1. The Kobe Factor. One sentence should do it: Bryant's the MVP and the best player in the last decade.
2. Phil Jackson. The argument against Jackson, who's gunning for his record 10th title, is that he's only won with stars. Coaching the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant has likely cost him a coach-of-the-year trophy (an award he's been robbed of at least twice) and his
value is too often underestimated.
After tumult ruled the Laker off-season, Jackson performed yeoman's work. He revamped and mediated his relationship with Bryant, which was supposedly fractured after Jackson's
tell-all book in 2004 said that his superstar guard was "uncoachable." He utilized younger players, a choice he has avoided in the past, when "did not play-coach's decision" was a common box score stat for first round rookies Kareem Rush
and Andrew Bynum. And he consistently adapted game plans to deal with injuries and incorporate Pau Gasol, acquired in early February.
But more important than Jackson's ability to manage players and game situations, is his ability to control the flow of the game from the sideline. He uncannily allows his team to play through offensive runs by their opponents and influences calls from officials.
In the Lakers' previous three championships this decade, Jackson used the media to communicate his frustration with the defensive tactics teams were using against O'Neal. Because of this aura of respect, tactful complaining and the way he calmly paces the Lakers' bench, officials seem to give the team a
After witnessing two rounds of NBA playoff match-ups, the Lakers are best suited to win the title. And it's not because they are the postseason's hottest team, but because they have five distinct advantages over everyone else.
1. The Kobe Factor. One sentence should do it: Bryant's the MVP and the best player in the last decade.
2. Phil Jackson. The argument against Jackson, who's gunning for his record 10th title, is that he's only won with stars. Coaching the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant has likely cost him a coach-of-the-year trophy (an award he's been robbed of at least twice) and his
value is too often underestimated.
After tumult ruled the Laker off-season, Jackson performed yeoman's work. He revamped and mediated his relationship with Bryant, which was supposedly fractured after Jackson's
tell-all book in 2004 said that his superstar guard was "uncoachable." He utilized younger players, a choice he has avoided in the past, when "did not play-coach's decision" was a common box score stat for first round rookies Kareem Rush
and Andrew Bynum. And he consistently adapted game plans to deal with injuries and incorporate Pau Gasol, acquired in early February.
But more important than Jackson's ability to manage players and game situations, is his ability to control the flow of the game from the sideline. He uncannily allows his team to play through offensive runs by their opponents and influences calls from officials.
In the Lakers' previous three championships this decade, Jackson used the media to communicate his frustration with the defensive tactics teams were using against O'Neal. Because of this aura of respect, tactful complaining and the way he calmly paces the Lakers' bench, officials seem to give the team a
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