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Interesting words from Phil Jackson

Posted May07, 2008 at 08:55 PM

As I drove to work Wednesday morning, I heard Phil Jackson speaking on the radio about Kobe Bryant's NBA MVP award. He said nobody ever deserved and MVP award more or ever worked harder to get one. Jackson is Bryant's coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and once wrote some not very complimentary things about Kobe in a book. But far more strange is that Jackson was Michael Jordan's coach while Michael was winning MVPs and leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships. Michael gets credit for playing harder than anyone else and wanting to win more than anyone else. Then Jackson rates Kobe as Michael's equal in working hard and in being deserving of praise. Not sure I would agree, but then who knows Michael and Kobe better than Phil? -- Jeff Gilbert

Comments

# 1

[May 9, 2008 11:31 AM]

RP

Jackson's comments may not necessarily be about hard work on the basketball court. Kobe Bryant was basically shunned by many in the sports world after the rape allegations, and he was also considered to be a very selfish player that played a role in getting Shaq traded from LA (and thereby breaking up their dynasty).

We all know that the MVP vote is often a popularity contest. Kobe worked hard at restoring his image and being a team player this year, and Jackson's comments may have more to do with that than his actual play on the court or his "wanting to win".

# 2

[May 9, 2008 3:03 PM]

Jeff Gilbert

RP, you make an excellent point.

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  • Interesting words from Phil Jackson -

    As I drove to work Wednesday morning, I heard Phil Jackson speaking on the radio about Kobe Bryant's NBA MVP award. He said nobody ever deserved and MVP award more or ever worked harder to get one. Jackson is Bryant's coach with the Los Angeles Lakers and once wrote some not very complimentary things about Kobe in a book. But far more strange is that Jackson was Michael Jordan's coach while Michael was winning MVPs and leading the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships. Michael gets credit for playing harder than anyone else and wanting to win more than anyone else. Then Jackson rates Kobe as Michael's equal in working hard and in being deserving of praise. Not sure I would agree, but then who knows Michael and Kobe better than Phil? -- Jeff Gilbert

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The Press Box blog will post entries on a variety of sports at both the high school and collegiate levels in Southwest Virginia. Contributions come from staff writers of The Roanoke Times sports section.

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