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Alright Laker fans, since today was media day, I'm going to go ahead and assume that we're onto the pre-season stage of the 2009/2010 season.
Please keep all 2009/2010 pre-season/season related articles in this thread!
Our title defense begins....
LET'S
GO
LAY-
KURZ!!!
[h3]http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/09/25/phil-jackson-2009-10-intro-presser/[/h3]
Please keep all 2009/2010 pre-season/season related articles in this thread!
Our title defense begins....
LET'S
GO
LAY-
KURZ!!!
[h3]http://my.lakers.com/blogs/2009/09/25/phil-jackson-2009-10-intro-presser/[/h3]
[h3]Phil Jackson: 2009-10 Intro Presser[/h3]
Published
by Mike Trudell
on September 25, 2009
in Phil Jackson and Training Camp
.
Mediaday is still three days away, but that didnt keep Phil Jackson fromsitting down at L.A.s practice facility on Friday to provide a littleteaser for a hungry group of journalists that assembled in El Segundo.
It was a busy summer in Laker Land, featuring the 15th championshipcelebration for the franchise, the return of Jackson for another run,the acquisition of Ron Artest, the re-signing of Lamar Odom and ShannonBrown, Pau Gasols finger injury and subsequent MVP award in theEuropean Championships, an assemblance of most of L.A.s young playersat the practice facility and, sure, Odoms weekend wedding.
Alas, as Jackson was talking, we did our best to follow along with the fingers moving:
- The Coach opened by answering a question about his T-Mobilecommercial, citing that he goes way back with Jesse James becauseJames was a companian of Dennis Rodmans. Your usual soft opener.
- The first comment Phil had regarding the coming basketball seasonwas that the team wanted to make the transition for Ron Artestseamless, adding that Artest is The defensive player weve wantedover the course of the last couple of years. Defense is going to be theitem of the day. Jackson also mentioned that he doesnt think Artestspresence will disrupt the offense: Our game is not predicated oncalling plays, its about the players reading the game and trying toget the ball to the open man.
- Jackson neglected to talk about his contract after the coming season, saying he hasnt talked to Jerry Buss.
- On Kurt Rambis taking the Timberwolves head coaching position: Idont think a person particularly (will replace him) but the do-it-allnature that he had has to be picked up by some people. Ill have tospend a little more time working with the big guys, and the staff willhave to take on the defensive responsibility that Kurt had. Well missthat but were (happy he had the opportunity in Minnesota).
- Jackson agreed that his frontcourt foursome ofBynum-Gasol-Artest-Odom is easily the most talented hes ever had, andcited the Portland team in 2000 as the last big foursome that hadsimilar on-paper talent.
- On distractions regarding certain players off court interests:It will be something we have to talk about. Theres a certain amountof privacy that we have to demand from (the players) and I think theseguys are professional. Theyll understand it. Jackson said onedifference between his Bulls days and now is the media climate,including Twitter, TMZ and constant internet coverage.
- There will be restrictions for players in terms of social mediafrom the team. There are things theyll have to be cognizant of.
- Jackson said he is going to Lamar Odoms much-reported wedding.Im very supportive of Lamar and want everything to go right for him.
- On continuity from last season: I have a group on the floor that Iknow can finish ball games, but a spot is open (with Trevor leaving). Ihave a second unit that Im proud of and played really well lastseason.
- On point guard dynamic: Theres no secret that weve tried tolimit Dereks (Fisher) minutes His work ethic is unbelievable, hispreparation is as good as anyone Ive ever coached and hes played 82games over the course of (four years). That being said, we want to keephim in a 22 to 28 minute role. He needs to do things for us like he didin the playoffs, a guy that can do critical things in criticalmoments.
- On similarities between Artest and Dennis Rodman: Both of themhave an ability to focus at certain times and also to be distracted,but other than that, I dont think so. Dennis was interested in defenseand rebounding, but hed pass up a shot when he was wide open. Therenever was that consideration that hed be taking too many shots or badshots. Ron is a guy that likes to score and will score, so thats adifferent role. Personality wise, Dennis was a guy who could really gothrough the day without talking. Rons the kind of guy thats veryverbose. Theres quite a difference.
- Jackson said that hes concerned about Sasha Vujacics mindset. Hethinks hes the best shooter on the floor, but needs to rebound from amental standpoint heading into the season. He thinks the Sloveniansituation was difficult, but hopes Vujacic can use it as motivation.Phil added, We asked him to cut his hair and he did. A psychologicalfresh start? Sasha played with his hair last year more than he did onthe court, Jackson quipped.
- On Andrew Bynum, whos back in town after training in Atlanta allsummer. Andrew looks good. His weight is lighter, which is a gooddeal. Hes been back here for a few days (after working out inAtlanta). Hes really excited about getting back and has a goal ofmaking the All-Star team this season.
- On Twitter and social media: I think its wonderful in oursociety that weve had (the ability to access) so much information forfree. A lot of it ends up just being gossip or heresay, so it makes oursociety more personality oriented. From that standpoint theres anegative, but from a positive standpoint there are some things that arevery good. As far as Twitter goes, Jeannie (Buss) uses it and thinksthat its a good source of (information) and wants me to start, but Imsaying no.
More to come next week from whats shaping up to be quite an interesting ride.
