Los Angeles Lakers' Phil Jackson: The Quintessential Media Manipulator
In your heart, you know Phil Jackson was correct. Maybe not appropriate but certainly spot on.
Jackson’s comment on the coaching situation in Miami was indeed calculated and not just an off-the-cuff blurt.
Jackson has been heavily criticized in the media for verbalizing what many have been thinking and a few in the media have intimated.
Commenting on a Chicago radio show, Jackson suggested that Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra’s days at the helm could be numbered.
Jackson alluded to the situation that occurred during the Heat’s 2005-2006 season when head coach Stan Van Gundy stepped down and Heat president, Pat Riley, took the reins and led the team to an NBA Title.
Jackson insinuated that the very same scenario could take place sooner rather than later with Riley replacing Spoelstra.
Van Gundy, now head coach of the Orlando Magic, quickly criticized Jackson for speaking out on a situation of which he had no direct knowledge. He called Jackson’s hypothesis “inappropriate” and “ignorant.”
But if anyone is ignorant it is the many pundits who were quick to agree with Van Gundy.
How long has Phil Jackson been coaching?
You would think after 20 years in the media limelight as the most successful coach in the NBA, Phil Jackson would be understood by those who cover the NBA.
Phil Jackson never speaks to the media. He manipulates it.
When Jackson wants to get a message across to his team in general or to a specific player, he uses the media. Whether it be a press conference or a newspaper or TV interview, Jackson will carefully word his comment to get the reaction he so desires.
Most likely Jackson could care less if Van Gundy or anyone else for that matter thinks that commenting on another head coach’s future is inappropriate.
His aim, no doubt, was to put Miami’s three super stars – Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh – and team president Pat Riley on notice.
The scenario Jackson envisioned is more than likely the one that would have taken place. But now that Jackson has alerted everyone’s attention to it, Wade, James and Bosh will think twice about going around Spoelstra to ask Riley to take over the head coaching duties.
Jackson’s comments also put Riley in the unenviable position of having to dump Spoelstra outright rather than having him resign as was the case with Van Gundy.
Furthermore, the situation in Miami is a dire one. Changes need to be made sooner rather than later.
The change came right after the 21st game in the Van Gundy situation. The Heat at the time were a disappointing 11-10. After picking up Shaquille O’Neal from the Lakers, the Heat were expected to dominate the Eastern Conference.
That obviously wasn’t happening, and Van Gundy, whether by choice or by design, was out the door.
Such is the case in this young 2010 season.
The 8-7 Heat are quickly approaching the 20-game mark and are playing without passion and intensity. Losing at home to the Indiana Pacers by double digits is not a very auspicious sign.
The fact that a key player like Mike Miller has not been available is a non-factor since Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago have been without dominant key players so far this season and continue to win games and lead their divisions.
Even though a change at the helm in Miami was probably imminent, Jackson’s comments got players to pledge their support for Spoelstra. That alone will force Riley to give Spoelstra more time, at least another month or into 2011, which was Jackson’s intention.
Once again the Lakers head coach has manipulated the media in order to put across his own agenda and affect the outcome in the East.
Why? Could it be that Jackson is looking forward to meeting the Big Three once again for the NBA Title? No, not the Miami Big Three but the other Big Three along with their rejuvenated big man, former Laker Shaquille O’Neal.
