by Marcel Mutoni / @marcel_mutoni
Long before the Lakers went out and embarrassed themselves against the Bucks at home last night, Phil Jackson was already in a salty mood. Much like his listless squad, Jackson was looking ahead to the blockbuster matchup against the Miami Heat on Christmas Day.
Phil isn’t looking forward to coaching that day; in fact, he is completely against the idea of sports being played on Christmas (only one of the NBA’s signature dates on the calendar.)
The Press-Enterprise has the amusing quotes, which David Stern will surely find less than amusing (and fine-worthy):
“It used to be two (games),” Jackson said Tuesday. “It used to be Phoenix and LA and New York and Boston, or New York and Philly or somebody on the East Coast. Now I see they’ve got like six games on Christmas. (It’s actually five, with the first at 9 a.m. PST and the last at 7:30 p.m.)”
It’s like Christian holidays don’t mean anything to them anymore. Just go out and play and entertain the TV. It’s really weird … But it is what it is. We’ve got to go to work and we’ll do what we have to do to make the best of it.”
Later, he added, “I don’t think anyone should play on Christmas Day. Soccer teams don’t play. They take a break. No hockey. I don’t understand it.”
Jackson went on to complain about how hard it is for teams to find focus on such a hectic day. So, y’know, if the Lakers play like crap against Miami, they’ll have a nicely built-in excuse. Score!
Having been blessed throughout his career with superstar talent and juggernaut teams, Phil Jackson has had to coach on many, many Christmas Day games. The only way he’ll ever get out of doing it, is by retiring.
