June 8, 2008
BOSTON - Phil Jackson couldn't always afford to be unconventional, yet he maintained his nonconformity at a high cost anyway.
His reluctance to compromise this inherent distinctiveness (strangeness may be more accurate) delayed entry and acceptance into the league's "holy" temple for many years following his retirement as a player.
Head coaches simply were too intimidated by the uninhibited Maverick, the name of his first book. An assistant's job with Kevin Loughery's Nets ended when Larry Brown arrived. If not for an invitation from GM Jerry Krause to join Doug Collins' Bulls staff in 1987, he might still be coaching in the minors while living (and getting stoned) in Woodstock.
Instead, Jackson is the Zen Hen and has been the NBA's highest paid camp counselor - currently $10 million with a $2M bump on tap for the duration of his Lakers' extension - since his second trio of title triumphs with the Bulls.
Instead, Jackson is the league's supreme Sherpa as a result of nine (head) trips to the top of the mount, a total that ties him with Red Auerbach, an ancient mortal enemy Dr. Phil would love to leave in the (cigar) smoke at the expense of Red on Roundball's Celtics.
But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Thoughts about a celebration of life and a career remain four demanding and inspired capers away.
And one of them must be pulled off in front of a jury of jeers from 18,000 Bostonians.
It's not as if Jackson is on a winning streak; his Lakers have gotten lower scores than their opponents in their last four Finals fandangos, three of 'em in 2004 to Larry Brown's Pistons.
Not that Jackson is losing any sleep over the "prolonged" bad run and or his team exhibiting very little attitude or aptitude after intermission in Game 1.
That ricochets us to our original theme. Granted, last I looked, the Lakers were still blessed with the presence of Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Pau Gasol, whereas Boston's Paul Pierce is limping on a strained right meniscus. And, yes, it's too early in the series to become a basket case. Nevertheless, just about every coach I know already would be leaning in that emotional misdirection.
Jackson is different. That doesn't always mean good things happen. Often his otherness rubs friend and foe and those on the fence the wrong way.
Remember in 2004 when he warned Shaquille O'Neal and Bryant of the consequences should they not play it his way? When they went off on their own agendas he essentially sat back and let them suffer the nationally televised embarrassment.
