Phil Jackson lobbed the first volley, and Steve Nash returned serve. First, Jackson — arguably the whiniest coach in NBA history — complained it was hard to simulate the Phoenix point guard in practice because, he said, “You can’t carry the ball the way he does in practice.”
Of course Jackson was smiling. No hidden message to referees there.
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But the best part came when Nash responded.
“The best coach in the league, [Spurs coach] Gregg Popovich, didn’t have a problem with it last week,” Nash said.
Nash is used to setting others up; this time he slammed one down.
But, when it comes to a series that — finally — starts Monday, Jackson has the upper hand.
The Suns swept San Antonio, but as one front office executive said, “Phil vs. Alvin?” In other words, Suns coach Alvin Gentry is no match for Jackson. And the Lakers are just too big inside for Phoenix.
One player, though, must come through for the Suns: Jason Richardson.
He’s averaging 21.9 points a game in the postseason after scoring 15.7 during the regular season. But be warned: In four games vs. the Lakers this season, he shot 13-for-42 from the field and scored a combined 35 points.
It’s why we like the Lakers in five.
