Lakers News: Phil Jackson's Critique of Los Angeles Doesn't Make Sense

Guess what? Phil Jackson has yet another opinion on the current state of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Speaking on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on ESPN Radio, the Zen Master had this to say, via Dave McMenamin of ESPNLosAngeles.com:

"I think they need to get back inside, where the strength of their team is and use that presence in there to dominate games. I think there is a way to do that."

It's a critique that doesn't quite fit with the way the team is composed.

Cowherd quite rightly pointed out that working the ball inside wouldn't fit with Mike D'Antoni's system. Jackson danced around the comment a bit and said the organization hitched its wagons to D'Antoni and only time will tell if it works.

With D'Antoni as head coach, you can't expect the Lakers to constantly work the ball inside to Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard (if the latter is even there next year). You can blame the coach somewhat for not utilizing the big men properly. When Howard and Gasol became more involved in the offense toward the end of the season, Los Angeles made its push into the postseason.

On the other hand, what else would management have expected? Everyone could see D'Antoni's system wouldn't fit with the Lakers' personnel. Expecting D'Antoni to overhaul his entire approach would be akin to asking Kobe Bryant to tone down on the scoring in favor of passing the ball more.

Over a few games, you could see it happen. But the coach will eventually work his back to what he's known for.

It doesn't make sense to hire a coach known for his fast-paced offense when the team is full of older players who can't run the floor, including two big men like Gasol and Howard who will demand the ball.

In addition, the biggest problem with relying on Howard and Gasol is that the traditional big man is becoming outmoded in the NBA. You don't see teams moving the ball into the post like you did in the 1980s and '90s.

The Lakers seem aware of this issue as well, according to McMenamin:

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However, Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said at his exit meeting that D'Antoni's preferred open-floor, fast-paced style of play is aligned with the direction the league is heading.

"The trend in the NBA, and the way you're seeing college players and NBA players play, it's very different to what it was 20 to 30 years ago," Kupchak said. "That's probably not going to change. It's an open game, a lot of pick-and-rolls, perimeter shooting. The game has really gravitated to the way Mike coaches, but you have to coach to a great degree to the players you have on the team."

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If the Lakers chose to fire D'Antoni and focus more on Howard and Gasol, they would still have the problem that is Howard on offense.

He's a beast at the defensive end, winning three straight Defensive Player of the Year Awards from 2008-2011.

On the offensive end, it's a different situation.

It's not as if Howard is completely inept, but he hasn't developed as much as most would have expected at this stage in his career. Howard isn't a dynamic enough inside scorer. Sure, he was injured for most of this season, but he's only averaged 20-plus points a game four times in his career. Not to mention, he's been anemic at times from the free-throw line.

Someone will give Howard a max deal this offseason, but you have to wonder if it's really worth it for the Lakers to be that team.

No one can question the Zen Master's overall basketball IQ. His 13 total NBA championship rings as a player and coach can attest to that.

When it comes to the Lakers' current situation, though, Jackson is simply off base.