Phil Jackson Says He’d Take Bill Russell over Michael Jordan on His Dream Team
Phil Jackson has spoken—if he had to draft a basketball dream team, his number one pick would not be Michael Jordan.
So who is Jackson’s choice? What hardwood hero would the Zen Master choose over His Airness to lead his basketball team? Is it LeBron James? Kareem Abdul Jabbar? Kobe Bryant?
None of the above, according to Jackson.
(Via ESPN)
“In my estimation, the guy that has to be there would be Bill Russell,” Jackson said in an interview with Time. “He has won 11 championships as a player. That’s really the idea of what excellence is, when you win championships.”
It’s logic that many will argue, but as another man with 11 NBA Finals rings to his name, Jackson’s choice is coming from a wealth of experience. After coaching Jordan with the Chicago Bulls and Kobe Bryant with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jackson knows dominance when he sees it. Looking back at Russell’s resume, it’s impossible to deny the legendary status the former Boston Celtics superstar earned in the league.
Russell was a member of the powerhouse Celtics dynasties of the mid-20th century, winning 11 titles, five MVP awards and 12 All-Star team nods in his 13 years in Boston.
Compare that to Jordan, whom played under Jackson in the ‘90s and won six NBA titles, five MVP awards and 14 All Star nods during his 14-year career with the Bulls (we’re going to forget about that whole Washing Wizards thing, at least for the nonce).
In MVP and All Star recognitions, the two are matched pretty evenly, but as you’ve likely noted, there is a fat difference in the number of NBA titles each has earned. Eleven trumps six any day, but it’s also worth remember they played in different times, with different teammates.
Jordan was a voracious scorer. Russell was an inhuman shotblocker. They were very different, except for the fact they commanded the respect and fear of every opponent they faced.
This leaves us with the question: is the Zen Master drinking too much herbal tea? Or is he dead on again, as he happened to be so many times while coaching the greatest players in the game.
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Dwight Howard calls Lakers-Spurs series ‘a bad dream’
Dwight Howard could have played his last game in a Los Angeles Lakers uniform on Sunday. He was ejected after picking up his second technical foul in Game 4 against the San Antonio Spurs, and says this season and playoff series was “a bad dream.”
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L.A. Clippers’ Dream Season on Verge of Playoff Collapse
The Los Angeles Clippers are losing their flare at the worst possible time.
The team has lost four of its last six, slipping to No. 4 in the West and only one game ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies.
And now, word on the streets is that the chemistry is starting to become an issue.
T.J. Simers of the L.A. Times wrote a column this week that suggested the Clippers’ core isn’t as tight as you’d think.
The other night in Sacramento, Griffin and Jordan exchanged words on the bench. Griffin told Jordan he best never again stare him down as he did when Griffin failed to give Jordan a good pass for a dunk.
Everyone else was left to sit there while waiting for the kids to stop bickering.
The pair have also grown tired of Chris Paul‘s voice, which is understandable at times.
Simers also mentioned that “Jordan wants nothing to do with Coach Vinny Del Negro because he blames Del Negro for burying him on the bench,” and that Griffin “reacts like a kid when done wrong, looking for the opportunity to get even while giving no regard to how that might affect his team’s performance.”
One of the reasons I felt the Clippers were having so much success early on was actually because of the chemistry the key players seemed to share. No team looked like they were having a better time than them.
Whether or not these personality and relationship flaws are being blown out of proportion, the team’s performance is suffering with the playoffs around the corner.
This is a team that thrives off of rhythm and adrenaline, and right now, there’s none of it to play off.
Maybe we let the Clippers’ hot start cloud our judgment with regard to their capabilities. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan are both 24 years old. Jamal Crawford is the same dude he’s been throughout his 14-year career.
Was it responsible of us to think that this is the crew who was going to help Chris Paul challenge the top teams in the West?
Griffin and Jordan still have a lot of growing up to do. But maturity isn’t a choice, it’s a process. Right now, the process is far from complete.
As it stands, the Clippers will face the Grizzlies in the first round, one of the most disciplined teams in the NBA. And if they’re able to get by Memphis, they’ll match up with either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder in Round 2.
And if you’ve been watching the Clippers over the past few weeks, you wouldn’t think this was a team ready to realistically challenge either one.
This is unfamiliar territory for L.A. For the first time ever, they actually have high expectations. And now they have to find a way to battle adversity while trying to live up to them.
I’ve always believed that basketball was a game of runs, and the Clippers appear to be heading into the playoffs without one to ride. I’m not sure even the most powerful wave could end up taking them to the finals, at least not this year.
But if they don’t get it together, both mentally and fundamentally, this year’s dream season might end before they ever wake up.
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Florida Gulf Coast Basketball: 10 Things We’ll Remember About FGCU’s Dream Run
Florida Gulf Coast didn’t quite have enough to take down state rival Florida in their South Region Sweet 16 game.
But the Eagles made history in beating Georgetown and San Diego State and they exit this year’s tournament having changed March Madness 2013.
So much happened for, with and around this team in the last week.
We’ve now been introduced to Dunk City.
While the origin may not be certain, the term certainly fits the full-throttle, high-flying college basketball phenomenon that is Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles’ basketball.
Here is a quick look at 10 exceptional things on and off the court that we’ll remember about FGCU’s dream run.
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March Madness 2013 Bracket: Dream Elite 8 Matchup from Each Region
If you no longer have any dogs in the NCAA tournament race, if your bracket is beyond busted or if you are just flat-out confused about who to root for, I have a hint for you.
Root for the entertainment factor.
Root for the games that are going to get you off your couch in excitement. Root for the games that are going to create moments that make you say “OH MY GOD” to an empty room like you’re a crazy person. Root for the games that will transform into instant classics. Root for the games that will create the best game of basketball.
And last of all, root for Florida Gulf Coast. Always root for Florida Gulf Coast.
If that’s not good enough, here’s a look at the dream matchups awaiting us in each region’s final.
Note: A complete bracket can be found at the bottom of this page.
Midwest: Louisville vs. Duke
As Butler vs. Marquette—and to a lesser extent, UNLV vs. California—has taught us, rematches tend to be just as good as the originals.
So if you’re interested in seeing something similar to Duke’s 76-71 thrilling win over Louisville back in November, this is an Elite 8 matchup you should probably start wishing for.
Oh, and this time around, the Cardinals would have crucial interior presence with Gorgui Dieng in the lineup. At full strength, both of these teams can make a case for best in America, as this is simply a Final Four-esque matchup come too early.
South: Michigan vs. Florida Gulf Coast
On one side of the court, Trey Burke would be magically shifting his way through the lane, either kicking it out to deadly three-point shooters Nik Stauskas and Tim Hardaway Jr. or dumping it off to rim-attackers Mitch McGary and Glenn Robinson III.
On the other side of the court, Dunk City would be gearing up for liftoff. Look for Brett Comer to leave one of his patented no-look alley-oops for Chase Fieler, Eric McKnight or any of a number of above-the-rim specialists, while Sherwood Brown and Bernard Thompson light it up from the outside.
Also, there would be a new set of special rules for this unique, scintillating matchup. If a team doesn’t get a shot off in the first 10 seconds of the shot clock, it’s an automatic turnover. And first to 200 wins.
West: La Salle vs. Ohio State
I’m a sucker for matchups on the perimeter, and this one would feature quite easily one of the most electrifying of the tournament.
Ramon Galloway, who averaged 17.4 points per game during the regular season and is up to 21.3 in the tourney, is a dynamic scorer. The 6’3″ senior can light it up from the outside, but he also has the athleticism and quickness to get to the rack and finish with authority.
And how do you stop an unstoppable force?
With an Aaron Craft, of course. Watching Galloway, one of the most dangerous offensive players remaining in the tournament, battle it out with Aaron Craft, one of the two best perimeter defenders in America, for 40 thrilling minutes would just be splendid.
Heck, we can just take the other eight players off the court and watch these two play one-on-one for two halves. That’d be OK, too.
East: Indiana vs. Miami
If Duke vs. Louisville is a matchup fitting for the Final 4, then Indiana and Miami would fill out the other side of that bracket. There was a long stretch during the season when many believed these were the two best teams in the nation.
But not only are they easily the two best teams in the East, they match up extremely well with each other.
Miami has the advantage at point guard, but Indiana has Victor Oladipo, who can take advantages like that right out of games. The Hoosiers shoot the ball better, but that doesn’t make the Hurricanes any less dangerous from beyond the arc. And on the inside, both teams have strong, athletic big men capable of stretching the floor.
Color me enthralled by this potential meeting.
Link to Printable PDF
Link to Live Bracket
Follow all the exciting NCAA tournament action with March Madness Live.
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Big East Tournament: Georgetown, Syracuse Earn Dream Semifinal at MSG
The one rivalry that has defined the conference will see one final chapter on Friday night at Madison Square Garden thanks to two winning efforts on Thursday in the quarterfinals by Georgetown and Syracuse.
Here is a recap of those two games, and the two games played during the night session on day three of the Big East tournament.
No. 1 Georgetown 62, No. 9 Cincinnati 43
National Player of the Year candidate Otto Porter Jr. led the Hoyas to their second victory over Cincinnati this season by scoring a game-high 18 points.
Porter Jr. shot a perfect 11-of-11 from the free-throw line while the Georgetown defense held the Bearcats to just 19 second half points.
Markel Starks scored 14 points for the Hoyas, while D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera contributed 13 points off the bench for the No. 1 seed.
Cashmere Wright scored 14 points in the losing effort for Cincinnati, who are surely bound to make the field of 68 on Selection Sunday.
The Big East Men’s Basketball Twitter account detailed how successful the Hoyas have been as the No. 1 seed at the Big East tournament.
No. 5 Syracuse 62, No. 4 Pittsburgh 59
Syracuse’s road to the semifinals was a bit more difficult than the one of Georgetown as they were outscored 32-22 in the second half by Pittsburgh.
Despite their scoring struggles in the second half, Jim Boeheim’s Orange team were able to squeeze out a victory in front of plenty of Syracuse alumni at Madison Square Garden.
Four Syracuse players reached the double-digit mark in points with James Southerland leading the way with a game-high 20 points.
After the game CBS’ Jeff Borzello got this quote from Boeheim about facing Georgetown one last time.
No. 2 Louisville 74, No, 7 Villanova 55
A day after securing their spot in the tournament, the Villanova Wildcats were blown out by the Louisville Cardinals, who are now in the hunt to become a No. 1 seed when the field of 68 is released on Sunday.
Russ Smith made four three-pointers on his way to a 28-point performance for Louisville. Smith’s partner in crime in the back court, Peyton Siva, scored 10 points in the Cardinals’ victory.
JayVaughn Pinkston scored 21 points for Villanova in the otherwise lackluster offensive performance by the Wildcats.
CSN Philly’s Reuben Frank detailed how bad the loss was for Villanova through this tweet.
No. 6 Notre Dame 73, No. 3 Marquette 65
For the second consecutive night, Notre Dame’s Pat Connaughton lit Madison Square Garden on fire with his three-point shooting.
The sophomore guard duplicated his performance against Rutgers on Wednesday by once again sinking six shots from beyond the arc.
Connaughton ended with a game-high 18 points while Jerian Grant contributed 17 points for the Fighting Irish.
After the semifinalists were determined on Thursday night, ESPN’s Dana O’Neil had a somber reminder for lovers of the Big East .
What’s On Tap for Friday
Here is what Friday’s Big East tournament schedule looks like. Both games will be televised on ESPN.
No. 1 Georgetown vs. No. 5 Syracuse; 7 p.m. ET
No. 2 Louisville vs. No. 6 Notre Dame; 9:30 p.m. ET
Follow me on Twitter, @JTansey90.
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L.A. Clippers’ All-Time Dream Team
Selecting a franchises’ Dream Team is no easy task. There are sentimental favorites, hyper-athletic dunkers, role players and those who used to be beloved and are now hated.
While the Los Angeles Clippers never had the premier champions like the Boston Celtics or Los Angeles Lakers, they have plenty of historic and league-changing players. From Buffalo to San Diego and now into Los Angeles, the history is rich and full of more talent than most remember.
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Wade makes Minnesota fans dream come true
Two years ago at a school book fair, Tess Mountain got her first Dwyane Wade poster.
She’d been a football fan up to that point, but suddenly, Wade was her guy, and basketball was her sport. After doing some Internet research over the winter, Tess learned that Wade had written a book, A Father First: How My Life Became Bigger Than Basketball, and she asked for it for Christmas. Now, the 13-year-old from St. Paul is also the proud owner of a Heat jersey, Heat hat and Wade bobblehead, to boot, and she spends hours at the hoop in her family’s backyard practicing her shot.
But Mountain isn’t your average Miami fan. She suffers from Cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, a disorder that affects her heart, facial features and skin, and is a Special Olympics athlete. (She plays basketball, of course.) Her mother, Sara, said she’s not sure how her daughter got onto the Wade bandwagon, but Monday, after years of being one of the Heat guard’s biggest fans, Tess’ dream came true.
Last Wednesday, one of T
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Chicago Bulls’ All-Time Dream Team
Since their inception in 1966, the Chicago Bulls have had a slew of superstars and Hall of Famers take the court.
From Jerry Sloan in the mid-’60s through the mid-’70s to Artis Gilmore in the late ’70s to the greatest NBA player of all time, Michael Jordan, in the ’80s and ’90s, the Bulls’ history is filled with great talent.
Let’s not forget about their current superstar, Derrick Rose.
Offensive prowess will be a main factor in determining this team, although players with a complete game aren’t exactly out of the conversation.
Similar to the 1992 Olympic Dream Team consisting of the NBA’s best, this team will be made up of the 12 greatest players to ever wear Bulls red.
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Dwight Howard Accepting Accountability Key to L.A. Lakers’ Fading Title Dream
In the days following the memorial service for Dr. Jerry Buss, Dwight Howard seems like a different man than the one who made the 2,500-mile journey out to Los Angeles last August. Six months after leaving Orlando, he realizes that he’s the key to sorting out the mess surrounding the Lakers this season:
Howard never really got to know Dr. Buss. When the 6’11″ center was traded from the Orlando Magic last summer, the former Los Angeles Lakers owner was already in fading health.
Howard did, however, have a chance to pay Buss a visit in the hospital late last year and he made it a point to tell Buss that he was grateful for the opportunity to play for the Lakers.
The Lakers have played twice since the passing of Dr. Buss and Howard scored at least 19 points and grabbed at least 12 rebounds in both contests. While two games isn’t nearly enough to make a definitive judgment, it seems as if something has changed recently in Howard’s overall approach to the game. The man who has spent most of this season sulking and clowning around now appears to be ready to step up to the plate.
“I’m going to continue look at [Dr. Buss] and guys who did something special like that,” said Howard in an interview with Ramona Shelbourne of ESPNLosAngeles. “It’s all about winning.”
For once, perhaps Howard and team captain Kobe Bryant are finally on the same page. In a pregame ceremony prior to the Lakers’ 113-99 win over the Boston Celtics on Feb. 20, Bryant made similar comments when he took the microphone to talk about what Buss meant to the Lakers’ organization.
“His vision has transcended the game and we are all, all, spoiled by his vision and by his drive to win year after year after year,” Bryant said.
Winning is all the Lakers have been about in recent memory. During the 33 years in which Buss actively ran the team, L.A. made the NBA Finals 16 times and brought home 10 titles.
And while many of those championship teams had their fair share of in-fighting (particularly during the Bryant/Shaquille O’Neal/Phil Jackson years), they rarely let it affect their play on the court.
To be fair, the Lakers’ problems go far beyond one person, whether it be Howard, Bryant or head coach Mike D’Antoni. But if Howard takes it upon himself to dominate the way that he did while as a member of the Magic, the Lakers may ultimately fulfill the expectations that many placed upon them prior to the season.
“All I could think about was [Buss'] legacy, what he stood for, how he changed the whole culture of the NBA, sports, L.A.,” said Howard following Buss’ memorial service on Feb. 21. “It meant a lot to me to hear what people were saying about him and thinking about everything I’ve seen since I’ve been here, since I’ve been a Laker.”
Howard, much like every other superstar, wants to leave a mark on the league. Lest we forget, this is the same person who wanted to put a cross on the NBA logo.
However, being the best center in the world for a few seasons does little to define one’s legacy. If the 27-year-old Howard truly has lofty aspirations, then taking responsibility for his actions this season is the first step in the right direction for both him and the team.
“I want to be how Jerry Buss was,” said Howard. “He changed this city. Those are things I want people to say about me when I leave this earth.”
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