Cap's Corner - 5/13/11

What does it say about Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant that the Lakers have closed out 11-of-12 playoff series at first opportunity

KAJ: Every season has a few turns that take even the experts by surprise. The Lakers were overcome by a team that was able to figure out how to beat them after losing to them over the regular season. The Lakers were vulnerable in ways that were not obvious at first but Dallas eventually figured out the right way to win. The Lakers are at a disadvantage when they have to play an an up-tempoed game. But Dallas did not figure this out until the Playoffs. The Lakers had a chance to win all of the first three games but by the fourth game Dallas was competent that they could defend against the Lakers offense and take advantage of their outside shooting. Jason Terry shot nine for ten and Stojacoeic shot six for six from three point range. The Lakers could not cover the whole floor defensively because Dallas continually was able to penetrate the Laker D and cause it to collapse. Dallas' bench was superb and overall Dallas had more foot speed and better outside shooting than the Lakers and the Mavericks confidence grew with every victory and the Lakers exposed more of their vulnerability at the same time.

How do you think we'll remember Jackson and his playoff success? What stands out most to you about his remarkable record?

KAJ: Phil will be remembered as a great organizer and leader. His teams were always well prepared and featured superior athletes. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille Oneil and Kobe Bryant are players that any coach would die to have on their team. But not every coach would have won as consistently as Phil managed to do. Its a testament to his abilities as a organizer and motivator. Time just caught up with Laker team. The difficulties they had in the first round against New Orleans were a good indication of what was happening. Phil himself stated that he felt the team was getting older.

What was your most difficult playoff series?

KAJ: My most difficult Playoff series was in 1984 in the Finals against Boston. We gave one game away and that ended up being the margin between victory and defeat. In 1983 and 1989 we lost the Finals but that was due to injuries. In 1983 we had to play the Finals against Philadelphia without Norm Nixon, Bob McAdoo and James Worthy. In 1989 instead of playing the Finals with Magic Johnson and Byron Scott as our guards we had to go against Detroit with Michael Cooper and David Rivers as our starting guards.
We were swept again, but I can live with those but its very difficult to live with losses that come from mental errors.

How much more difficult is it to close out an opponent than to go ahead in a series?

KAJ: Close out games bring out all the fight in the team that is going to be eliminated if they lose. In a seventh game both teams are in that situation.

What characteristics does it take for players to excel in the postseason, as opposed to just putting up numbers in the regular season? How does a guy like Derek Fisher find so much success?

KAJ: Consistency is one of the hallmarks of a great professional. So when the chips are down you know that you can rely on certain players. You know they will come physically and mentally prepared. Derek Fisher is that type of athlete.

How many times did you have to play through the type of ankle injury Kobe Bryant has dealt with this postseason? How difficult can that be through the intensity of playoff games? Do you even let it affect you or just figure out different ways of succeeding?

KAJ: I only sprained my ankle once in the postseason which was in 1980 against Philadelphia. The sprain was so bad that the team left me home and went to Philadelphia to play game six but in that game Magic Johnson, Jaamal Wilkes and Brad Holland all played the best Playoff games of their careers. They came home with the NBA Championship making any further games unnecessary.

With Bryant now climbing all the way up to No. 7 on the all-time scoring list, what do you think has made him stand out as a scorer? As No 1 on that list, what do you feel made you such a standout scorer?

KAJ: Kobe has always been prepared to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court. His work ethic is superb and he is able to get his shot off against any and all defenses. My success was rooted in the fact that I knew how to shoot my hook shot against any defender. The ones that tried to overplay the hook shoot left themselves open to my countermoves. I had the Skyhook and I could turn to the baseline and make easy jumpers and hooks in the paint at close range. My shooting percentage lifetime is approximately 57% is a testimony to my shot selection and my willingness to pass the ball to open teammates. My basic moves complemented each other and made me an unpredictable operator in the paint.

Bryant is the only other guard besides Michael Jordan and Oscar Robertson in the top 10. What do those three players have in common? Would you have enjoyed playing on the perimeter?

KAJ: Those three players all had the ability to shoot the ball from anywhere on the court and at the same time, if the defense dictated it they could attack the hoop when necessary. Again we have two different approaches, the outside shot and the drive to the hoop. I don't think I would have enjoyed playing on the perimeter given my physical attributes. Playing close to the hoop on offense allowed me to take high percentage shots and on defense I was able to be a shot blocker and take the defensive pressure off of my teammates.

Kobe is noted for having a relentless drive. Who among your teammates was similarly driven? How do you feel you would have meshed with Kobe?

KAJ: I don't think I have ever played with anybody as driven as Kobe, but Oscar Robertson would be the closest but he had a much calmer demeanor. If I had played with Kobe I think we would have posed a real problem for defenses as we both had superior skills in our respective positions. We would have been Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside as we both put in alot of time working on our game and preparing for every season to be able to come in and dominate.

Next season will be very interesting as there is a new order in the NBA. Look for Memphis, Atlanta, Oklahoma City, Chicago, Miami and Dallas to continue to dominate and be among the very best teams in the league. Parity is definitely the result of the upsurge of these teams. These teams will definitely increase the popularity of the game and they are indicative of how change manifests itself in our sport. I am sure Laker fans will be looking to see how and when the Lakers will get back to being valid contenders for the World Championship. See you at the Staples Center!