Rick Carlisle, who preceded Phil Jackson at the post game press conference Sunday, was drafted by Red Auerbach and contributed to one of the two Association dynasties of the 1980s. Jackson was drafted by Red Holzman and served as a bench player for one of two dynasties of the 1970s. Neither possessed exceptional skill although they were able to fill a role and enhance team chemistry for the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks respectively.
Both espouse a similar coaching style: fluid motion offence and tough man-to-man defence, as adept at cajoling superstars as building teams. Both coaches have adapted the tactics which they learned as players to modern basketball. Obviously Jackson has been far more successful but Carlisle has proven his skill on the sidelines over the years.
This time around, Carlisle and the Dallas Mavericks were clearly better. Usually, it is the Los Angeles Lakers who bring international basketball to the Association and dominate but this year they were defeated by a team which outplayed at their own game. “The best players always win” is a cliché that is not based in fact. Based on absolute skill, the Lakers probably possessed three of the top four players in the series yet they embarrassed themselves thoroughly. The Mavs were able to augment their ability with drive (Nowitzki), poise (Kidd), toughness (Chandler), and energy (the bench).
Despite whatever accomplishments Carlisle achieves during this postseason, it is unlikely that he will match Jackson as one of the greatest coaches ever. Professional basketball will suffer because players simply try to score points and make basketball instead of pursuing “Sacred Hoops.” Sure, it is a forum for entertainment and excitement but it is still possible to practice the fundamentals and win.
Phil Jackson never coached a team without a superstar; during his three coaching stints, he took stars to heights beyond what they had reached with previous coaches. He knew that a team could share the ball without hurt feelings by focusing on collective goals, like the Celtics and Knicks of years past. He knew that no matter what offensive skills possessed by the superstar, they needed to defend at the other end and he convinced Kobe and MJ to buy in.
Jackson knew a supporting cast was necessary for superstar to win championships. Larry Legend was aided by DJ, Bill Walton, Kevin McHale, and the Chief; Clyde and Willis were helped by Earl the Pearl, Jerry Lucas, Dave Debusschere, and Dean the Dream. He knew that even the best starting five needed accurate shooters who could make a shot to win a title, like Paxson and Kerr. He knew a team must be resilient, whether overcoming a thigh injury or room service pizza.
Unfortunately for Jackson, his career was ended prematurely when Los Angeles faced a team willing to do all of that and more. Even worse, everything that he preached over the years collapsed under the pressure of the postseason. Dallas learned from their expense and elevated their game by adding the missing components. Los Angeles wilted when faced with a challenge and couldn’t persevere together.
Luckily, Phil Jackson has always been able to keep his perspective.