Is Phil still the man? Coaching discussion.

[Danny Darko]

I get frustrated with my favorite players too. I'm not going to say we should fire Phil at this point, just like I'm not going to call for Andrew to be traded for two lousy games, but-

The glaring weaknesses are real and I just think the people who say, "Phil knows better than us, he's the master" are not living in reality. Everyone has down times and makes stupid mistakes. Phil is screwing up some things for sure. I'm not as concerned with his mistakes so much as his arrogance keeping him from fixing the mistakes.

Snaq is right... he doesn't have a hammer guy. Kobe has worked so hard at being one of the guys, that he is one now and his style of leadership isn't the one that spanks people into defense right now.

The Suns games and finals last year have me legitimately worried that Phil isn't doing as much as he should.

On the other hand, I don't think we can do better with any other coach. I'd just like to give Phil a piece of my mind.

[shortfuse3]

phil's laissez fare style coaching won him 9 rings. he's done everything to this team that he's done with the bulls. the thing that's missing is a player coach. the guy who gets on everyone for not playing their best, someone like KG. Kobe should be that guy, but he's not the disciplinary type of leader MJ was. as a result, you get a soft squad who probably aren't going to change their defensive schemes any time soon.

[fareweatherfan]

^Uh, oh. You said "soft" while referring to the Lakers. You just opened the flood gates for TM and various other board members to start quoting our record (although its not looking as attractive now, is it?) and questioning your loyalty.

Kobe's just not that guy, as a person. Besides, we don't have the type of players around him that would necessarily respond to barking in their ears, our players would probably pull a Big Baby. We need a tough SOB to come in here and lead by example, a tough minded, hard nosed, defensive player who isn't afraid to take a damn charge!

[doozyj]

phil's laissez fare style coaching won him 9 rings. he's done everything to this team that he's done with the bulls. the thing that's missing is a player coach. the guy who gets on everyone for not playing their best, someone like KG. Kobe should be that guy, but he's not the disciplinary type of leader MJ was. as a result, you get a soft squad who probably aren't going to change their defensive schemes any time soon.

WTF are you talking about. We got to the finals last year for God's sake. Funny how people forget. Dude you are losing credibility left and right with every post you make at RealGM.

[slifersd]

Phil Jackson definitely has the skills but it is his motivation and dedication that I am having questions about. In recent years, he just doesn't seem like he is that focused on the team any more.

Last year in the finals, Doc Rivers completely outcoached Phil. Boston knew exactly what to do to beat us and knew exactly what changes we would make. We, on the other hand, only had one move, to put Kobe on Pierce and nothing else. After that butt whooping, you'd think this team would be more willing to listen and learn a new defense than ever, but once again the coaching staff failed to deliver. Phil can make all sorts of crack about his players being loosey goosey on their defensive efforts, but to me, he needs to do more to get his players motivated into play harder.

[dingclancy]

Just saying this. Every coach has bad substitution patterns according to fans. Just ask around each board.

Substitution patterns is easy to attack. Just because we do not agree with the coach at that moment in time does not mean he has bad sub pattern. Every fan in every team will always complain why X players was not subbed in for Y players at Z point in time. Lol!

As for defensive philosophy. He just said and admitted that he changed his mind and go with the man-zone whatever they are playing now. Called Rambis to be the assistant defensive coach. And as much as these players are inept defensively, we are still 4th in defensive efficiency. Just because we are not better than one of the best defensive teams of all time means we are not getting the job done.

Besides, Phil is smarter than us. This is the first season in a long time where he expects his team to go to the Finals, and he is pacing the team that way. So no worries on my part, except for people whining here.

[LBJ]

Why is it a coach's job to motivate players to play defence. The players know defence wins games. I'm just thinking players should be self-motivated when they know they have a legit shot at the whole thing. There's not much a coach can do to motivate players more when they already have the personnel to compete for a championship. That's my opinion.

[Erik Eleven]

1000 wins in 1421 tries speaks volumes. No other coach in the history of the NBA has got it done that fast. I'm glad he got his 1000 against the Championship Celtics.