Eternal

Jackson digs deep for motivation
LATIMES

Seeing as how the present isn't going too well for the Lakers, Coach Phil Jackson brought up the past as a possible blueprint for playoff motivation.

He didn't invoke the six championships won by his Chicago teams in the 1990s, or even the three titles won by the Lakers earlier this decade, but, rather, the 1978 Washington Bullets and the 1981 Houston Rockets.

His point: Teams can acquire momentum late in the season.

"I have seen teams do that," he said. "I think [Washington] won it with a 46-38 record or something like that. Houston was a team that went to the NBA Finals against the Celtics. I think they were a 42-38 team, or 44-38. That's happened."

Jackson was off the mark on the records of the Bullets and Rockets, but his overall historical context was accurate.

The Bullets, with Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak averaging 15.9 points, were 44-38 in the regular season before catching fire in the playoffs and beating Seattle in the championship. The Rockets were 40-42 but advanced to the NBA Finals before losing to Boston.

Still, Jackson wouldn't necessarily wager on success in the playoffs, assuming the Lakers make it to the postseason.

"We're confident we can go into the playoffs and do some things that are good," he said. "I don't know if we're going to win a playoff series right now if I was to bet on it, but I would say we're going to play. We're going to be there and play the game."

Bartholomew Hunt

Suit Mitch up.

Drewbs

Nice story, but in all honestly, I'd be thankful to be able to watch the team play for more than 5 games in this year's postseason (particuarly since it looks like tehy'll be suiting up against Phoenix or Dallas)

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Eternal

I'm praying the Lakers are fooling us all along and are just playing poorly to be matched up against Phoenix, and will bust out with some new strategies. For example maybe we will be seeing the zone defense alot more out of us... and Phil was just testing it out against Denver.

Not likely... but you never know.

P-Rez25

Phil needs to do something other than just sit there and watch the game, i can do the same thing he does and get paid for it. all he does is sit there and expects our players to get through the tough parts of the game. we only have one great player on this team. there is no Pippen, Rodman, or Grant to calm things down.

Shaolin

Keep digging, Phil.

Theonee

Jackson can dig as much as he want, he won't find motivation, even after he reached Earth's Core.
The best way to find motivation is fire Mitch.

Theonee

The most annoying part is Phil takes time out when the Lakers are on a run, but when the opposite team are on a run, he will let them run.

Eternal

That's because he wants to settle the guys down, and bring them back to earth.

SoCalfan21

Shut THE **** UP PHIL

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koberules24

Maybe he should have them watch "The Secret". Maybe that will show Luke, Smush and Lamar that their pouting and helpless attitudes on the court do affect their confidence and how they play the game.

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