Lakers Linkage – 6/11/09
June 11th, 2009 | by Garrett Wilson |- Phil Jackson tried to provide some stress relief for the Lakers by taking them to see The Taking of Pelham 123. I don’t know if there was a motivational undertone in that film as Phil always prefers, but at the least seeing John Travolta will teach the players what happens when you get bad hair plugs.
- It sounds more and more like the Magic are leaning towards not using Jameer Nelson at all anymore after Rafer Alston’s excellent Game Three performance.
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar chimes in to let everyone know that Dwight Howard’s offensive game is still raw. Thank you, Captain Obvious. Can’t imagine why Kareem has never gotten that head coaching gig he wants so much.
- Kobe emphatically denies that he was too tired at the end of Game 3. If we are all so wrong, Kobe, prove it tonight.
- Brian Shaw and Jim Cleamons have both thrown their hats in the ring for the recently (and disgracefully) vacated head coaching job at USC.
- Game 3 pulled in a 10.1 rating, only a small drop-off from last year’s Finals proving America still doesn’t miss LeBron.
- My inner-comic book geek is positively giddy that Zen Master Phil is splicing scenes of Hellboy II: The Golden Army into the game-prep video to teach the team about taking back what is rightfully there’s.
- Kurt Rambis turned down the Sacramento head coaching job before the Kings gave the gig to Paul Westphal.
- Alonzo Mourning thinks Phil Jackson isn’t really doing anything for the Lakers and Kobe is doing all the work. Zo has very little evidence to support his claim and I honestly don’t know what kind of insider scoop he has, so I would just chalk this up to professional jealousy or perhaps Mourning trying to get some media attention to land an analyst gig.
- Uh oh, Pau Gasol is going into whiner mode, complaining now about the physical play that Dwight Howard is getting away with. Hey, Pau, shut up and just play harder then him and it won’t be a problem.
Tags: Daily Links, Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Kobe Bryant, NBA Finals, Orlando Magic, Pau Gasol, Phil Jackson, Rafer Alston, tv ratings
