Lakers coach Phil Jackson has upset a few folks down in the Sunshine State.
You just have to chuckle at Phil Jackson's comments don't you. Jackson made comments implying that there could be a coaching change in Miami if the Heat don't turn it around very soon. Nothing new here, Phil is just using his platform to "poke the bear" and raise the ire of people in Miami. Jackson's 11 NBA championship rings make him the E.F. Hutton of NBA coaches, (You youngsters can Google that so you know what I'm talking about.) Just remember, the guy that Riley could never beat when he coached the Knick was Jackson, who by the way was in Chicago with that Jordan guy on his team.
It wasn't until Jordan 'retired' for a season, that the Knicks finally had some success against the Bulls. So if you are wondering why Orlando head coach, Stan Van Gundy, is all upset about Jackson's comments, consider this: Stan's brother Jeff, now an ESPN analyst, had his own battles in New York when he led the Knicks against Jackson's Bulls. Jeff Van Gundy made comments about Jordan being a "con man" and Jackson getting calls by working the officials very subtly. Remember in the playoffs when Jeff Van Gundy said, "I don't even have to look at the calendar to know that it's spring coming on summer, with Phil complaining about the officiating."
Stan is also a friend of Heat coach Erik Spoelstra. It has been said if the time comes when Riley takes over the reigns, that although he is unmarried, Spoelstra will step away to spend time with Stan's family.
People connected with the team in Miami will swear up and down that the aging Riley doesn't want to coach the team. Is he being goaded into it by Jackson who, by the way, has said this is his last season? Don't think for a minute nothing would satisfy Riles more than to come out of the front office with guys that he recruited to Miami to beat Jackson and shut him up as he goes out the door. Then again, it would be even sweeter if his protégé, Spoelstra could accomplish the feat.
It will be fun to see how this plays out.
It was Thanksgiving yesterday in the United States and as per usual for Celtics head coach Doc Rivers, Insert link it meant a bit of traveling, but for family sake, it's all good. Rivers takes his parental duties seriously and regularly "jets off" on Celtics off days when the schedule permits to spend time with his family or watch his athletically inclined offspring play ball.
So just how much is Shaquille O'Neal enjoying Boston? Check this out where the "Big Leprechaun" or "Big Shamrock" if you will, calls the Celtics the best team he's ever been on. That's right, this coming from a former Laker and a guy that has won titles in Los Angeles and Miami.
