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Phil
Jackson should take triangle to New York
Patrick
Hodgson
One of the most intriguing questions remains
to be unanswered in the National Basketball
Association. Many fans are becoming enamored
with the answer; where will arguably the
greatest professional basketball coach of
all time, Phil Jackson coach next year?
Jackson
has already curtailed his diminutive list
of possible destinations by eliminating
the Cleveland Cavilers. In fact, the race
has become a battle between the two largest
markets and flamboyant cities in America
- Los Angeles and New York. And some rumors
are even circulating that the Sacramento
Kings could emerge and make this a three-way
circus. So where should Jackson coach on
the sidelines at next season? Easily, the
city that has the monumental structure that
is Madison Square Garden.
Rudy
Tomjanovich walked away from one of the
most coveted jobs in western civilization
when he stepped down as head coach of the
Los Angeles Lakers. He said the pressure
of the job was too strenuous for him and
said no more. It left all of us flabbergasted
and to wonder if that was the true reason
he stepped down.
I
have been an expert when it comes to basketball,
especially when it comes to the soap opera
that is the Los Angeles Lakers and know
not to believe everything that comes out
a player or a coach's mouth. Although, I
do believe health was a huge factor in Tomjanovich's
stepping down, I have a hunch that sooner
or later one of those officials in Lakers
management is going to give us the behind-the-seasons
version of why Rudy T, the man who said
never underestimate the heart of a champion
and a man who was use to the difficulties
of coaching, so suddenly could not handle
it.
So
why go through what you went through before
and why go through all the stress Tomjanovich
went through last season. You know Phil
has to be questioning the same thing. There
is nothing left for Phil to prove in Los
Angeles because he has already taken the
Lakers to the finals four times and won
three championships in five years.
Plus,
the talent pool of the Lakers stops after
Kobe and Lamar Odom. The rest of the team
is fielded with journeymen players and hell.
One can even make a case for Odom being
one of those.
On
the other side of the coast, New York is
the new challenge Jackson needs and may
be the only way to shut up Red Auerbach
by turning the Knicks back to an eminent
team. It would not be easy, but the Zen
Master has an uncanny ability to pull rabbits
out his hat and plus the Knicks have a more
talented team than the Lakers.
With
players such as Stephon Marbury, Jamal Crawford,
Tim Thomas and a healthy Allan Houston,
the Knicks would easily become a more potent
scenario than the Lakers. Jackson would
also enjoy the benefits of having a president
in Isaiah Thomas that is willing to spend
the big bucks and make trades for players
who fit Jackson's complex triangle offense.
And
at last, Jackson would have the opportunity
to practice more Zen than ever, knowing
that he is coaching in the Eastern Conference,
where every team has an opportunity to play
in May.
At
the end of the day, this should be an intriguing
decision wherever Jackson goes. And watch
out for the Kings to make a pitch for Jackson's
services.
This
is my final column of the year and I would
like to thank each and every person who
supported my articles.
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