Top News

Defeat ends phil's career with a thud

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-10 08:01

A $35,000 fine and a resounding playoff defeat made for a deflating end to Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson's illustrious NBA coaching career on Sunday.

Jackson had complained on Saturday that game officials were allowing defenders to use their knees to shove Lakers big man Pau Gasol out of position.

"I got out with a sour note after having been fined $35,000 this morning by the league," Jackson said. "That's not fun, feeling like I've been chased down the freeway by them.

"As Richard Nixon says," he added with a rueful smile, "You won't be able to kick this guy around anymore."

However, in the wake of the defeat it took some doing to induce Jackson to reiterate his plan to retire.

Asked point-blank if he had coached his last NBA game, and if so how it felt, Jackson side-stepped neatly.

"Feels really good to be ending this season, to be honest," he said.

And as for the "last game" portion of the question?

"I haven't answered that, have I?" he said with a smile. "And you're not going to force me to answer it."

But the 65-year-old Jackson relented.

"All my hopes and aspirations are that this is the final game I'll coach," he said. "This has been a wonderful run."

AFP

(China Daily 05/10/2011 page24)