Phil Jackson is creating quite a buzz in NBA circles these days with his flirtation about returning to the sidelines next season as coach of the New York Knicks. All indications are that he will.
But he created an even bigger buzz last year with his comparison between Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as players.
Here, in part, is how I pooh-poohed the gratuitous shade he threw at Kobe:
I suppose he could’ve added that Michael was better still because he helped Jackson win six of those eleven rings as coach of the Chicago Bulls (1989-98); whereas Kobe helped him win only five as coach of the Los Angeles Lakers (1998-2011).
Incidentally, I have no doubt Kobe will return next season from what should have been a career-ending torn Achilles last month. But I fear he will fail in his quest to tie or surpass Michael’s tally of six rings.
Indeed, the only way Kobe could emulate Michael at this point would be to end his career in even greater ignominy than Michael did. And that, alas, was as a wobbly, hobbling shadow of himself, playing more as team mascot than team leader for the Washington Wizards.
(“Coach Phil Jackson on Michael vs. Kobe,” The iPINIONS Journal, May 30, 2013)
Well, I was already vindicated when Kobe returned, just as I predicted, only to reinjure his torn Achilles. This had him duly looking like a wobbly, hobbling shadow of himself for the mere six games he played this season, before resuming his role as more team mascot than team leader on December 17.
Now comes this:
The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled Kobe Bryant out for the remainder of the season after a re-examination of the veteran guard’s injured knee showed it still hadn’t healed, the team announced Wednesday…
Los Angeles signed Bryant to a two-year, $48.5 million contract extension in November.
(ESPN, March 12, 2014)
Frankly, when the Lakers signed that contract extension with Kobe, I thought they might as well had bought some swampland in Florida too.
I have no doubt Kobe will return next season, or that he’ll manage to play more than six games. Indeed, he’ll probably survive the entire two seasons of his contract extension.
But you too would have to be the kind of fool who would buy swampland in Florida if you think he’ll lead them to another NBA championship. And the Lakers would be even bigger fools if they sign him to another contract extension.
Hence, wither Kobe Bryant … for two seasons more.
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