In the Paint
Phil Jackson erred The Boston Celtics weren't upset that Phil Jackson disrespected them on television. Besides, the Lakers' coach was wrong.
Phil Jackson erred
The Boston Celtics weren't upset that Phil Jackson disrespected them on television.
Besides, the Lakers' coach was wrong.
During a time-out near the end of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jackson was heard on ABC's broadcast telling his Los Angeles Lakers that "this team loses more games in the fourth quarter than any team in the league. They know how to lose games and they're showing us that now."
"You know, he's right," Paul Pierce said to laughter when asked about Jackson's comments. "What you just said, that's been the truth for us throughout the regular season."
As it turned out, Jackson was indeed wrong.
The Celtics lost 13 times in the regular season when they led in the fourth quarter, according to Stats L.L.C. That didn't even rank in the top 10 and was 10 behind Washington's league-leading total.
James mum on Izzo
A person familiar with the situation says LeBron James has not spoken to Michigan State's Tom Izzo about Cleveland's coaching vacancy, and the two-time MVP has no plans to get involved in the Cavaliers' search.
James has stayed clear of the Cavs' pursuit of Izzo and will remain on the outside, said the person who spoke to the Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the team and the school are not commenting on Izzo's status.
- Associated Press