Some notes from Phil Jackson’s pre-game media session:
For a team being 19-3 the Lakers have heard more about what they’re doing wrong than what they’re doing right from the media. “The thing that we want is perfection, but that’s what you always strive for and you’re not going to get,” said Jackson. Obviously the ultimate goal of winning a championship is on everyone’s mind, but it’s a process that takes a whole season, not the first twenty-games.
Forward Vladimir Radmanovic went from starting twenty games to not playing a single minute the past two games. “I haven’t talked to Vladi. He’d like to assassinate me but we’re not going to let that happen,” quipped Jackson. So it’s obvious that Phil is understanding of whatever frustation Radmanovic might be harboring.
The T’Wolves tonight will focus down low with Al Jefferson and former UCLA standout Kevin Love and outside with guard Mike Miller. Jackson mentioned how many close games Minnesota has lost this season and attributed it to a young team finding their way and dealing with injuries.
After Friday night’s win over the Kings, Luke Walton talked about how good his outside shot has felt in practice, but how it hasn’t translated into games (0-5 from behind the arc in the two games he’s started). “He’s had a week or ten days or so where he really shot the ball well. We’re just hoping he regains his confidence on that.”
Jackson described his late 90’s Chicago teams as groups that, “really liked to practice, they lusted to practice,” as a way to build communication and camaraderie. The 2008 Lakers aren’t a team that’s figured that out quite yet. “This team is still learning how to do that the right way. That you have to go really hard days that you don’t want to, just to build the right spirit.”
For a detailed breakdown of the T’Wolves check out the interview we did with assistant coach Brian Shaw.
FROM LAKERS.com
