Hookercut: What Would Phil Jackson Do?

If Michael Jordan’s 1998 Chicago Bulls championship team were down by 50 points against Stockton and Malone’s Utah Jazz with two minutes left in the third quarter, what would Coach Phil Jackson do?

Phil probably would’ve taken out Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Tony Kukoc and Ron Harper. The starters would be warming the bench as the third unit takes over the basketball court to finish the game for formality’s sake.

It’s a lost ballgame anyway. And it’s not a shame by doing so. It’s part of the strategy.

Phil would do this move in order to preserve his players. There are more games left to be played, immediate or long term. 

Why would he expose his best players to freak accidents if it can be avoidable? Injuries are similar to death. If God wants this to happen it’s up to Him. But if there’s a chance that we can avoid it in some little way then the opportunity should be grabbed. Makes sense? At least you tried.

I’m making a point out of last Saturday’s Firepower starring Manny Pacquiao and Miguel Cotto. I’ve read reports from various writers that the fight should’ve been stopped earlier than the 12^th round and I totally agree.

The Boricua Bomber was competitive early in the fight. Then he took a flash knockdown in the third and a legit one from a left hookercut (can’t distinguish if it were a hook or an uppercut ) haymaker in the fourth round.

Cotto is a proud fighter. I’ve witnessed so many of his fights. He doesn’t back down from adversity. He may be handicapped in some of his fights but he just wouldn’t quit.

Look at his fight against Ricardo Torres, he was taking so much early in the fight but he refused to go down. He took everything from Ricardo before his body let go and touched the canvas. And yet he still managed to win the fight by an impressive knockout in the 7th.

Fights with Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and Antonio Margarito are notable ones for he refuses to lose even in adversity. Though he took a knee and quit against Margarito, nobody knows if there were hardened plasters used in that fight. It’s an exception.

Proud fighters will not quit. Cotto is one. Their heart neglects the limitations of the physical for pride and glory. The fighter will just go on. Fighters don't quit.

He deserves to be protected. He has to be protected.

Miguel Cotto did not need to take that much of a beating at the end. If the bout was stopped three rounds earlier, he could’ve saved Cotto roughly around 120 power shots from Pacquiao.

Miguel Cotto still has a good future, but he needs a good and better trainer.

What do you think would Phil Jackson do?