Phil Jackson Sees Through Jerry Sloan’s Mind Games

The master won’t be fooled: “He’s just goading his team,” said Lakers Coach Phil Jackson, who knows a thing or two about psychological terminology. “They’re going to compete, without a doubt.” Derek Fisher, who played for Sloan while with Utah for the 2006-07 season, also didn’t read much into it. “Maybe he felt like they didn’t stand up and fight [on Tuesday],” Fisher said. “But it’s no indication of what’s going to happen when Sunday gets going.” Or, as Lamar Odom said, “I wouldn’t expect a team coached by Coach Sloan to lay down. If I were a Laker, which I am, I wouldn’t pay any attention to that.”