L.A. Lakers: Phil Jackson's Unceremonious Exit from the Lakers and the NBA
It definitely wasn’t pretty.
The Dallas Mavericks’ 122-86 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday put a resounding end to the Mavericks’ 4-0 sweep of the Lakers in the semifinal round of the 2011 playoffs.
Perhaps more disturbing for Lakers fans, who were hoping for the coveted three-peat of NBA titles, was the unceremonious way in which legendary coach Phil Jackson’s career came to a close.
There was no hard-fought, last second victory, no roar of a home crowd, no smile of relief from Jackson’s children and no satisfaction of seeing the beloved Lakers coach end his 20-year coaching career on top.
There was just Jackson’s steadfast frown as he sat on the sidelines and watched his team fall victim to the Mavericks’ dominant offense. The Lakers didn’t even lose with their heads held high. Lamar Odom’s ejection for a flagrant two foul on Dirk Nowitzki was quickly followed by a brutal elbow from Andrew Bynum into the ribs of J.J. Barea.
The cheap shots were reminiscent of Ron Artest’s ejection in Game 2 for clotheslining Barea. It’s unfortunate that Phil Jackson couldn’t end his career with a win, but even more unfortunate that the Lakers played their last game under his regime with such blatant lack of respect for the game and their opponents.
For a coach who has won 11 national championships with the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls, won two more as a player for the New York Knicks and is generally revered as the greatest NBA coach of all time, let’s hope he that gets the recognition he deserves upon his return to L.A., and that today’s unseemly loss to the Mavericks doesn’t leave too much of a bad taste in people’s mouths.
