This Time Around, Phil Jackson Likes His Team’s Chances

Things done changed for the Lakers, sayeth their head coach: “There is an unmistakable confidence emanating from the Lakers’ training facility the past two days as preparations for the NBA Finals have kicked into full power. The Lakers feel great about being tested in the playoffs this time and how they came together for the end of the Western Conference finals, with Phil Jackson raving about how the team showed an ‘ability to adjust to team ball’ to blow by Denver instead of force-feeding Kobe Bryant in desperation. Jackson detailed how he was uneasy about Detroit’s momentum in 2004 and how the Lakers didn’t seem fully to understand Boston’s defense in 2008 entering those NBA Finals. And Jackson said simply about this upcoming matchup with Orlando: ‘I feel very good about this series.’”