Lakers Brush Off Jackson's 'Killer Instinct' Comment

[semi-sentient]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wireta ... s/2009/03/

Lakers coach Phil Jackson suggested on Sunday that his team lacks a killer instinct, but his players don't appear to agree with the assessment.

"Teams are going to go on runs and sometimes you give up a lead," forward Lamar Odom said. "We expect it."

Odom added, "We kill them at the end of the game."

Jackson was critical of his team after they narrowly escaped Sunday's game against the Mavericks with a 107-100 win.

"I think he's using that to motivate us," Kobe Bryant said. "When we have an opponent down, we've been able to keep them down."

And why would he be using that to motivate you, peanut brain? Because maybe this team has some damn issues?

It's crap like this that makes me lose confidence in our ability to win a championship, especially since we won't be having home-court in the Finals should we meet the Cavs. Kobe doesn't seem to be aware that this team has issues. He doesn't seem to think that we have any problems on the defensive end despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary and now this crap. How in the world is he going to lead anyone anywhere if he can't see that this team has some fundamental issues?

How fitting that the day this comment is made we blow yet another large lead (76ers) and lose the game on our home floor...

[DubaLakers]

The killer instinct comment and then the follow up game (example)...This reminds me of my English teacher saying now use that in a sentence/example.

If Iggo shot that shot 9 more times he wouldn't make one, he was off the line, he's not a great shooter it hit scaffolding light fixtures and the scoreboard looked liek a screwball and still went in.

I'm upset with the loss, but I think Kobe goofed the play prior that made me more mad...He shot too early, and took a bad shot that happened to go in becuase he's the one player that can make that shot more than anyone else in the world, but still it was a bad shot IMO, and left near 7 seconds on the clock.

Meanwhile 6' 9" Marshall the three point specialist is the tallest 76'r on the court and Pau could have at the least been fouled, or work a PNR with Kobe who another RealGM'r said they are the #1 PNR team in the league, ftw not? KB24 should have given himself an option on that play? Was it me or did KB24 look ill or exhausted?

[Sedale Threatt]

Our last possession started with Gasol's rebound at 27 seconds, meaning that we could not have run out the clock. Kobe could have killed off a few more seconds, sure, but of our laundry list of miscues in the fourth quarter I'm not even sure I'd mention it.

Defensive meltdown, failure to get Gasol post-ups when he was feeling it, Ariza's blunder regarding the foul to give, another no-show from the bench, Kobe having his worst game of the season, good effort by the Sixers and basic bad luck were all much bigger factors.

[TonyMontana]

Our last possession started with Gasol's rebound at 27 seconds, meaning that we could not have run out the clock. Kobe could have killed off a few more seconds, sure, but of our laundry list of miscues in the fourth quarter I'm not even sure I'd mention it.

Defensive meltdown, failure to get Gasol post-ups when he was feeling it, Ariza's blunder regarding the foul to give, another no-show from the bench, Kobe having his worst game of the season, good effort by the Sixers and basic bad luck were all much bigger factors.

It all boiled down to the last 6 minutes of the game when Kobe was reinserted in the game.
We had the lead the team was running their offense through Pau and Kobe basically sucked, and he started forcing his shot way too many times and he wasnt successful.
Why fix something thats not broke???? Run the offense that is working with you.
Allow your star to sit out and rest while the rest of the team is picking up the slack and doing a good job at it.

[hermes]

they don't have it all the time, it's an on/off deal with them about how much they want to win it seems. which is a little concerning

they have the ability to go out there and just crush their opponents soul, they just don't have the ability to do it very often

[magic1fan]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_teams/la_lakers/2009/03/

Lakers coach Phil Jackson suggested on Sunday that his team lacks a killer instinct, but his players don't appear to agree with the assessment.

"Teams are going to go on runs and sometimes you give up a lead," forward Lamar Odom said. "We expect it."

Odom added, "We kill them at the end of the game."

Jackson was critical of his team after they narrowly escaped Sunday's game against the Mavericks with a 107-100 win.

"I think he's using that to motivate us," Kobe Bryant said. "When we have an opponent down, we've been able to keep them down."

And why would he be using that to motivate you, peanut brain? Because maybe this team has some damn issues?

It's crap like this that makes me lose confidence in our ability to win a championship, especially since we won't be having home-court in the Finals should we meet the Cavs. Kobe doesn't seem to be aware that this team has issues. He doesn't seem to think that we have any problems on the defensive end despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary and now this crap. How in the world is he going to lead anyone anywhere if he can't see that this team has some fundamental issues?

How fitting that the day this comment is made we blow yet another large lead (76ers) and lose the game on our home floor...

to be honest i think kobe is kind of scared to say something out loud. the samethings that guys like lebron,wade,and kg get applauded for,kobe is demonized for. if he were to come out and call out guys there would be a media frenzie and it would take away from the chemistry in the locker room. i do think they need to call a player only meeting,and get guys on the same page. i really want us to be clicking during the last five games of the year,and roll right into the postseason.

[Slava]

I'm really hating this easy going attitude that LO and Kobe showed in that article. We kill teams in the 4th? This genius tried to throw a cross court pass last game when all he had to do was run the clock down. Then we blow up another 14 point lead inside 6 mins last night and talk about motivation!

Why do we need any more motivation than blowing a 24 point lead in the NBA finals to gear up and play with discipline. Its like they just say all the things like "Hey I hate green. That finals was the worst moment in my life" and so on just for fun and then keep doing all the stupid dumb things on the court.

[TonyMontana]

to be honest i think kobe is kind of scared to say something out loud. the samethings that guys like lebron,wade,and kg get applauded for,kobe is demonized for. if he were to come out and call out guys there would be a media frenzie and it would take away from the chemistry in the locker room. i do think they need to call a player only meeting,and get guys on the same page. i really want us to be clicking during the last five games of the year,and roll right into the postseason.

YOUR 100% correct.
Kobe lacks leadership skills, not by his game but by his on court presence and he isn't vocal at all, he has no webols when it comes to calling out his teammates, yet he takes it upon himself to go out and try to take on the mistakes of his teammates.
I dont think he is worried about the media, I think he just thinks it makes him better and raises his game when he has to pickup other peoples slack. but I agree, if he only spoke out openly and maybe thore a new arse in Sasha or Luke once in a while maybe we wouldn't give up 15 points so easily.
Thats why this team was so successful with the threepeat Lakers.
Leadership, you had guys like Fox, Shaq, Shaw, Grant that always got on each other, now we have the Fruity Pebbles with the hair band and Mighty Mouse.

[Erik Eleven]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_teams/la_lakers/2009/03/

Lakers coach Phil Jackson suggested on Sunday that his team lacks a killer instinct, but his players don't appear to agree with the assessment.

"Teams are going to go on runs and sometimes you give up a lead," forward Lamar Odom said. "We expect it."

Odom added, "We kill them at the end of the game."

Jackson was critical of his team after they narrowly escaped Sunday's game against the Mavericks with a 107-100 win.

"I think he's using that to motivate us," Kobe Bryant said. "When we have an opponent down, we've been able to keep them down."

And why would he be using that to motivate you, peanut brain? Because maybe this team has some damn issues?

It's crap like this that makes me lose confidence in our ability to win a championship, especially since we won't be having home-court in the Finals should we meet the Cavs. Kobe doesn't seem to be aware that this team has issues. He doesn't seem to think that we have any problems on the defensive end despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary and now this crap. How in the world is he going to lead anyone anywhere if he can't see that this team has some fundamental issues?

How fitting that the day this comment is made we blow yet another large lead (76ers) and lose the game on our home floor...

You're absolutely right, sir. Kobe has had this "we will win it all this year no matter what" attitude all season long. I don't like it one bit. Jacskon's comment is the truth. Kobe should take it as such, and look himself in the mirror. He should team up with Phil, and ask him how he can help to correct the poor mental focus this group has. He is sometimes the root of the problem, he idles for long stretches, probably saving himself for the playoffs.

Good post, bud.

[DEEP3CL]

Kobe lacks leadership skills, not by his game but by his on court presence and he isn't vocal at all, he has no webols when it comes to calling out his teammates, yet he takes it upon himself to go out and try to take on the mistakes of his teammates.

T-Money he has the guts to do it, but it's just that you and I both know how it will be preceived by the media and the wacko's on the GB. Kobe is probably the only star athlete of this decade that will never be able to voice his opinions when it comes to his teammates in a negative
manner and not be castrated for it.

[TonyMontana]

Kobe lacks leadership skills, not by his game but by his on court presence and he isn't vocal at all, he has no webols when it comes to calling out his teammates, yet he takes it upon himself to go out and try to take on the mistakes of his teammates.

T-Money he has the guts to do it, but it's just that you and I both know how it will be preceived by the media and the wacko's on the GB. Kobe is probably the only star athlete of this decade that will never be able to voice his opinions when it comes to his teammates in a negative
manner and not be castrated for it.

Deep I'm with you on this brah and I agree, but lets be realistic about it.
He has went off on the management for their lack of support and he did make a huge deal about it, then why not step up and do the same to his temmates???
Do you agree brah?
You ask for help and the Org stepped up, your the leader of this team and you have so much passion for the game and your team, then why not rally your boys up so they are on the same page with you.
You know where I was really disappointed last night, WHEN WE WERE GIVING UP OUR LEAD, freaking Sasha and Luke were sitting on the bench pouting like a bunch of little kids and thats where (dont get me wrong) I had respect for K.G and the day he RIPPED Baby a new ASS, he went and grabbed Baby and dragged him into the huddle and after that day Baby picked up his game, but Kobe didnt and he did see these two clowns sitting there and pouting.

[iamworthy]

http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_teams/la_lakers/2009/03/

Lakers coach Phil Jackson suggested on Sunday that his team lacks a killer instinct, but his players don't appear to agree with the assessment.

"Teams are going to go on runs and sometimes you give up a lead," forward Lamar Odom said. "We expect it."

Odom added, "We kill them at the end of the game."

Jackson was critical of his team after they narrowly escaped Sunday's game against the Mavericks with a 107-100 win.

"I think he's using that to motivate us," Kobe Bryant said. "When we have an opponent down, we've been able to keep them down."

And why would he be using that to motivate you, peanut brain? Because maybe this team has some damn issues?

It's crap like this that makes me lose confidence in our ability to win a championship, especially since we won't be having home-court in the Finals should we meet the Cavs. Kobe doesn't seem to be aware that this team has issues. He doesn't seem to think that we have any problems on the defensive end despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary and now this crap. How in the world is he going to lead anyone anywhere if he can't see that this team has some fundamental issues?

How fitting that the day this comment is made we blow yet another large lead (76ers) and lose the game on our home floor...

I understand your frustration, but Kobe not being vocal in the media really has nothing to do with this teams issues. Im sure Kobe is very aware of some of the let downs this teams has to inferior teams but its bound to happen time to time. He's also aware tha his team beat the Celtics Twice, Cavs Twice, and have pretty much toyed with the Spurs all year long. If anything thats all you really want to see out of the lakers this year. Lakers needed to prove to themselves and Laker Nation that they could go out and beat the top teams in this league and I think they've done that.

Now, on the flip side, if the Lakers had lost to the Cavs or Celtics and the Spurs were kicking our butts then I would be right there wit'cha talking about how my confidence was shook. This team pretty much plays when it wants to and this year they have wanted to against the Cavs, Celtics or Spurs, probably because thats suppose to be our compitetion. Its frustrating I know, but if they win the big games... who am I to talk. Thats kinda like me criticizing Phil jackson because of his coaching style or his subsitution pattern. Everyone knows its horrible but the dude wins rings. So I could rip the lakers for losing to bad teams but everytime they have played a so called top team they have held thier own.

[TonyMontana]

Worthy ......... come on brah.
I dont know about you but I SWEAR I FELT LIKE THROWING UP last night.
I was so sick to my stomach and all I was doing was dropping the F bombs, I was watching the game with my boys at my boys house and I can tell you that NOT ONE of us was happy about last nights loss or the fact that we gave up 15 points to the freakin SIXERS in OUR HOUSE.
And at the end everybody stood there with their hand up in the air and looking at IGOWANSA shot just arching right into the basket and looking like a bunch of fools.

No matter how you dice it cut it we screwed up big time last night to a bunch of nobodies.

[iamworthy]

Worthy ......... come on brah.
I dont know about you but I SWEAR I FELT LIKE THROWING UP last night.
I was so sick to my stomach and all I was doing was dropping the F bombs, I was watching the game with my boys at my boys house and I can tell you that NOT ONE of us was happy about last nights loss or the fact that we gave up 15 points to the freakin SIXERS in OUR HOUSE.
And at the end everybody stood there with their hand up in the air and looking at IGOWANSA shot just arching right into the basket and looking like a bunch of fools.

No matter how you dice it cut it we screwed up big time last night to a bunch of nobodies.

I know the feeling, I get that way in the playoffs. But we knew it was going to be bad in the first quarter when the lakers wer shooting like 60 something percent and was only up by 5 or 6. In the regular season I much rather lose by one than to win by one. If lakers would have pulled that game out last night I would have been pissed. They played horrible and didnt deserve the win. Hell I think Phil even sets the lakers up to lose sometimes. He has come out countless times and said he like to lose sometimes because he can get the teams attention in practice. But if they win all these dudes with big egos think nothing is wrong. I just choose to save my F bombs for the playoffs thats all because at the end of the day these last few games really mean nothing. The real season starts in April, and In June we can sit back and laugh about this over a beer. I know everyone is so caught up on HCA but thats a whole nother issue for me. One that I dont really agree with. And I agree with your last sentence "No matter how you dice it cut it we screwed up big time last night to a bunch of nobodies" 100% correct.

[Phil Jackson]

Kobe Bryant isn't a peanut brain he's really smart.

[hermes]

kobe called out bynum and that worked out ok

but calling out the likes of sasha and farmar might not work out the same way

[semi-sentient]

kobe called out bynum and that worked out ok

but calling out the likes of sasha and farmar might not work out the same way

Then perhaps he should go back to elbowing Vujacic in the chin. Even if it has no effect it would be worthwhile to watch.

[Mamba Venom]

Lakers lack the mentality as do most that the media jave pegged as the #1 team.

Its a shame what being the favored team means to the Lakers...
No chip on the shoulder
2004 and 2008 NBA Finals
AND IF KOBE DDINT WIN THE MVP AWARD, the Lakers might be champs.

[MasterRyu]

Kobe settling for long range jumpshots and threes in crunchtime are killing us. Sure he makes a couple here and there, but a lot of times a penetration to draw a foul or dish it out for an OPEN three is the smart thing to do in crunch time. Kobe trying to rest legs is no excuse. He's not taking good shots at the end of games. Look at Paul Pierce, that guy is like 32 years old, and still drives in more than Kobe.

[hermes]

Lakers lack the mentality as do most that the media jave pegged as the #1 team.

Its a shame what being the favored team means to the Lakers...
No chip on the shoulder
2004 and 2008 NBA Finals
AND IF KOBE DDINT WIN THE MVP AWARD, the Lakers might be champs.

so winning the mvp killed kobe's drive to win the title?