Posted by Teddy Panos, Sun Staff
Nuggets to chew on while wondering what's more rigged: Iranian elections or Don King promoted title fights.
So Phil Jackson finally surpassed Red Auerbach's total of coaching championships. So what!
I give Jackson all the credit in the world. It's easy to say he only won his titles because a couple of guys named Michael, Shaq & Kobe were on his team, but you have to remember, Red never had to win without some guy named Russell.
What I think separates the two is that Auerbach actually had to build his teams, while Philosophical Phil got to sit back and coach Jerry Kraus' and Jerry West's handiwork.
What might be a better argument than Red vs. Phil is Celtics vs. Lakers.
Until it had been pounded into my head incessantly by the broadcast crews this year, I'd almost forgotten the Lakers were appearing in their 30th championship series, having now won 15 of them.
While Boston has more rings with 17, the C's have only made the Finals two other times in their history, both of them series losses to their rivals from Los Angeles. It's also true the Celtics have been positively horrible from time to time, whereas the Lakers have been consistent contenders. Going back to the 1959 season when they were in Minneapolis, the Lakers have only missed the playoffs four times: 1975, 1976, 1994 and 2005.
Which begs the question: given those statistics, which team is the model NBA franchise?
I wonder if George Steinbrenner wakes up some mornings wondering if his kids sold the Yankees. Because right now, the Red Sox absolutely own their rivals from The Big Apple.
I got to meet Bernie Carbo Friday night at an event sponsored by the Lowell Hellenic Institute. A couple of observations:
1) Carbo is a fascinating guy, having overcome personal issues to become a devout Christian and role model to groups he travels the country to address. His inspirational story and message is one worth listening to.
2) Carbo actually has fond memories of Don Zimmer, who many of us grew up believing was responsible for running Bernie out of Boston. According to Carbo, he and Zim got along very well, and it was actually Haywood Sullivan who traded him not once, but twice.
Carbo also believes that had he stayed with the Sox, Bucky Dent wouldn't exist. The pinch-hit hero from Game 6 of the '75 Series was an accomplished clutch bat off the bench during his career, which the Sox sorely lacked during that fateful '78 season. According to Carbo, the BoSox didn't have any pinch-hit RBI's that year. Even a single clutch hit at any point that summer would have made the playoff game against the Yankees, and thus Bucky "Bleepin" Dent, unnecessary.
Lord Stanley's Cup will soon have the name of another former Lock Monster engraved on it. Mike Zigomanis, who played in Lowell on and off from 2001-2006, skated in 22-games with the Penguins this season.
Phil Jackson is a Fraud. The Triangle offense he gladly takes credit for is his Asst. Coach Tex winter. Auerbach not only coached his teams ( WITH NO ASSISTANT COACHES) he was also the VP, GM, sold advertising, was head scout, arranged all travel and changed basketball from a standstill borefest to a up and down, more athletic friendly game ripe for growth given to it by Magic and Bird and Later MJ. Phil Jackson can motivate people. Fine so can Tony Robbins. He is the little nylon muzzle given to the fastest greyhound. Auerbach won 9 championships because he didn't feel like winning 10. Mentioning both of these men in the same breath is an insult to Red and his legacy.
I used to agree with your view....upon further investigation, I have to at least give the devil his due.
Red won 9 in 11 years. Jackson at one point won 9 in 12 years. What was more difficult...winning when there were a dozen or so teams in the league, or winning when there are 30? Winning when the last pick of the first round was #12 and you owned territorial rights to guys likey Cousy and Heinson, or winning when the last pick was #30 and there was a salary cap that had your roster changing from year to year?
Again, I think Red was a far better game strategist and coach. He did much, much more than Jackson ever had to do. But after now having won a title without the Shaq and Kobe combo and without Jordan, its time to give Jackson his due.
Sorry Teddy.
Any coach who consistently starts Vladimir Radmonovich like Jackson did in last year's playoffs is clearly not on the same level as Red. Don't forget, Auerbach left 2-3 championships on the table when he gave the reigns to Russell.
Aside from Stern assigning body guards to Laker players during all 4 of his championships, Where was the championship with Kobe, Mailman, Payton,and Shaq ?
A healthy Celtics team Repeats.
Well, he didn't have Trevor Ariza last year, so he had to start SOMEBODY. Go look at that Lakers roster from last year...the fact they made the finals is a testament to Jackson and Kobe, neither of who you want to give ANY credit to.
Refs didn't hand anything to the Lakers this year. They won it, fair and square.,,,were the best team in the west. Beat the East team that knocked off the C's and Cavs. They deserved it, and I realized in January this year was going to be different.
They beat a HEALTHY Celtics team twice, and stood up to the physical play for a change. It reminded me very much of 1985, when the "whimpy" Lakers, who were physically manhandled by the Celtics in the '84 Finals, stood up to them and not only beat them for the title, but did so at the Garden. Same was going to happen this year...the Lakers would probably have beaten a healthy Celtics team because they improved, while the C's aged and regressed thanks to the loss of James Posey.
I know you pretty well, LK, and even you'd have to admit any team that though Marbury was going to be the savior off the bench was destined for failure in the Finals. Check out how many trade rumors Ainge has been a part of, and you quickly understand even HE knows this team needs help to raise #18 to the rafters.