A few weeks ago I shared my belief that Tom Izzo could out-coach Phil Jackson. When it comes to actual X’s and O’s, I still believe that.
But, when it comes to psychological warfare, there is no better than the Zen Master.
It doesn’t hurt that $35,000 is pocket change to Jackson. The Lakers coach was fined $35K for publicly pointing out Kevin Durant’s ability to get to the foul line.
Durant is tied with LeBron James atop the NBA with 10.2 free-throw attempts per game.
“As far as the calls that he gets on the floor, I think a lot of the referees are treating him like a superstar; he gets to the line easy and often," Jackson told reporters earlier in the week
I believe Jackson’s tactics have very little effect on the referees, but they certainly got to Durant, who seems very sensitive about the subject.
After Durant’s Thunder beat Boston earlier in the season, Kevin Garnett told reporters that the calls Durant received made it seem like he was “Michael [bleeping] Jordan.”
On Thursday, Durant responded to Jackson’s ploy. “That’s part of my game, getting to the free throw line and being aggressive. If you say that I get superstar calls or I get babied by the refs … that’s just taking away from how I play. That’s disrespectful to me,” Durant said on Mike and Mike in the Morning.
And just like that, Durant’s focus has been cluttered.
It’s not the first time someone has bitched about Durant getting all the calls. After the Thunder beat the Celtics in March, Kevin Garnett said the calls Durant received made it seem like he was “Michael [bleeping] Jordan.
Now, heading into his first playoffs, it will be on the Durant’s mind for sure. I could see him forcing the action, either trying to draw even more fouls or altering his game in other ways. That’s why I believe the Lakers are an absolute lock in to beat the Thunder – and quickly. I’ll gladly pay the -750 on the series and will be sprinkling some cash on the Lakers in 4 at 7/4 and in 5 at even money.
A few weeks ago I shared my belief that Tom Izzo could out-coach Phil Jackson. When it comes to actual X’s and O’s, I still believe that.
But, when it comes to psychological warfare, there is no better than the Zen Master.
It doesn’t hurt that $35,000 is pocket change to Jackson. The Lakers coach was fined $35K for publicly pointing out Kevin Durant’s ability to get to the foul line.
Durant is tied with LeBron James atop the NBA with 10.2 free-throw attempts per game.
“As far as the calls that he gets on the floor, I think a lot of the referees are treating him like a superstar; he gets to the line easy and often," Jackson told reporters earlier in the week
I believe Jackson’s tactics have very little effect on the referees, but they certainly got to Durant, who seems very sensitive about the subject.
After Durant’s Thunder beat Boston earlier in the season, Kevin Garnett told reporters that the calls Durant received made it seem like he was “Michael [bleeping] Jordan.”
On Thursday, Durant responded to Jackson’s ploy. “That’s part of my game, getting to the free throw line and being aggressive. If you say that I get superstar calls or I get babied by the refs … that’s just taking away from how I play. That’s disrespectful to me,” Durant said on Mike and Mike in the Morning.
And just like that, Durant’s focus has been cluttered.
It’s not the first time someone has bitched about Durant getting all the calls. After the Thunder beat the Celtics in March, Kevin Garnett said the calls Durant received made it seem like he was “Michael [bleeping] Jordan.
Now, heading into his first playoffs, it will be on the Durant’s mind for sure. I could see him forcing the action, either trying to draw even more fouls or altering his game in other ways. That’s why I believe the Lakers are an absolute lock in to beat the Thunder – and quickly. I’ll gladly pay the -750 on the series and will be sprinkling some cash on the Lakers in 4 at 7/4 and in 5 at even money.
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