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'Backlash' Reaction to Phil Jackson's new book
During TBS Superstation's April 3 coverage of the Lakers-Jazz game, L.A. head coach Phil Jackson talked with TBS reporter Craig Sager about his new book, More Than a Game, and its impact on the team: "It will be wonderful for this team. ... I hope they read it. I will give them each the book. When the issue became apparent in January that this was going to be another event for us this year, it was included. It is part of the history of this team. It is part of the history of these two guys [Kobe and Shaq], and it is part of what you have to surmount to win championships. It is not damming to us. It is publicizing." Lakers forward Kobe Bryant on being singled out in Jackson's book for causing frustration with the team: "If they can't see what I am trying to do, then there is something wrong. I just want people to see through what is going on. I feel, yes, I am being singled out." Bryant on Jackson continuing to criticize him and opening up wounds that have possibly healed from last year's championship season: "He does so much of it I think it is going to have a backlash." TBS analyst Danny Ainge on Jackson's book: "I think the timing is very awkward. Phil is no dummy. This guy has motivation. One of his motivations, in my opinion, is concerning the anti-Kobe sentiment that exists in the Lakers' locker room. Second, he wants to publicly force Kobe into conforming to the Lakers system. Neither one has worked. Bad timing. A player-coach relationship is sacred. It should never be publicized, and I think it has backfired on Phil." TBS analyst John Thompson on Jackson's book: "There is always a danger in airing your dirty laundry, because I think there is too much sensitivity when the public gets involved with things that should be left in the locker room. This thing has lasted too long, and too much is going on. Feelings are getting hurt. We are getting ready for war time, and when you are getting ready for war time, a house divided is not a good thing to have." Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal on the effect Jackson's book has had on him: "It doesn't have any effect on me. I am here to do a job, and I know what I have to do. We all have to play as a team and play under Phil's system, and if any one or two players are not playing on the system, there are going to be problems. I have always played team ball, so it has no effect on me whatsoever."
Shaq on his earlier quote that Kobe was playing too selfishly for them to win, followed by Jackson's response that Shaq put Kobe on the hot seat: "I am a big brother. When I see someone doing something wrong, I am going to say it. I would never say it to the media to embarrass somebody. What we do behind closed doors is what we do as a family. I'm a big brother. I might say something to certain people and they might not like it, but I am the captain of the team and if they don't like it, it can be dealt with. We all have to play team ball. If we play team ball, we can win back to back. Anything else is uncivilized, and I am not worried about it."
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