After doing his best to avoid talking about the locker room tears shed in Miami, Phil Jackson finally let it all hang out. By now you’re heard of his infamous “Big boys don’t cry” quote. If not you can checkout what Mike Bresnahan had to say about it.
This is one of those rare times when I wish Jackson wouldn’t play his public mind games. Not that I’m worried about him awakening the slumbering beast in South Beach. If their swallowed pride isn’t enough to motivate the Heat at this point then nothing will.
No, I just wish Jackson had gone the opposite route and said nothing.
You see those large egos in Miami may play the role of the victim but they secretly enjoy any attention that comes their way. Had Phil simply chosen to say nothing it would have gone much further in his attempts to tweak the Heat.
Had Jackson feigned ignorance or just plain said he didn’t care, I’m sure it would have irritated Queen James and company much more. But instead they’re now fully aware that a Hall of Fame coach is concerned with their issues, just like the rest of the world.
I know Phil is a mastermind and genuinely has a feel for the psyche of others. So my opinion means little. Just seems to me PJ would have been better served to say nothing at all and instead allow the suddenly cold Heat to fester in their own egomaniacal misery.
Either way there is still a game to be played. No matter the circumstances surrounding this contest it would have been a circus anyway.
So from Phil’s perspective, why not add another act to the main event?
I admire Jackson for his ability to read others and know exactly what buttons to push. This time around I just wish he would have taken the if you can’t say anything nice then say nothing at all approach.