Phil Jackson strikes Nash with his "mind games"

[Drucci]

EL SEGUNDO (AP) -- Lakers coach Phil Jackson thinks the Phoenix Suns' star point guard sometimes plays a bit too much like a running back.

With a mischievous grin, Jackson said Friday that it's tough for Los Angeles to prepare to face Steve Nash during defensive practice because of the two-time MVP's style with the basketball.

"Yeah, because you can't carry the ball like he does in practice," Jackson said. "You can't pick that ball up and run with it."

Jackson turned his palm over while he spoke, making the officials' gesture for palming of the basketball.

Nash's ball-handling and playmaking are driving the Suns' remarkable postseason success, and Jackson apparently couldn't resist the chance to get in a crack at the Canadian star while perhaps planting a seed in any listening officials' minds. Nash is averaging 17.8 points and 9 assists per game in the playoffs while leading Phoenix past Portland and San Antonio.

The Western Conference finals begin Monday in Los Angeles.

Source

I hate when Phil does these ridiculous "mind games", it's just annoying. But I love Nash's answer, he nailed it perfectly :

Nash on Phil Jackson saying he carries the ball: "The best coach in the league, Gregg Popovich, didn't have a problem with it last week."

[angryguy77]

Anyone think these "mind games" are overrated?

but he has a point, why does Kobe get called for his abuse of the rules and not Steve

[Donoghus]

Nice comeback by Nash.

[Prof. Clutch]

That is a fantastic response by Nash.  He's the man.

[GreenFaith1819]

Great Response by Nash!

Phil is a Great Coach, but you can bet he will be turning up the psychological warfare games over the next month or so. He's trying to get any edge he can.

Phil's one of the best at what he does.

[BudweiserCeltic]

He's risking a suspension from Mr. Stern. Quite gutsy.

[Onslaught]

Yes, because Kobe never travels.

Nice comeback from Nash too.

[Toine43]

Hopefully Nash can get a ring this year if the Cs don't.

[PosImpos]

Love Steve Nash.  He doesn't let anything phase him.

Go Suns.

[Brendan]

I despise Phil Jackson.

But this is nothing Red wouldn't be doing...

[twinbree]

I wish Phil Jackson would just go away. You'd think he'd realize by now his smug mind games don't work as well when he doesn't have Jordan or Shaq on his team. Great comeback by Nash.

[CbrewEra]

Is it to get into Nash's head, or to get the point across the the big wigs in the league office, to have the referees specifically look for it?
 I don't see something like that getting into a veteran like Nash's head, as he's been doing what he's doing for quite a long time.
And if he wants to take that road, how about Kobe frequently traveling?? 

[twinbree]

I missed this little gem at the end. Team Nash and Gentry FTW  

We spent the day ducking elbows on post-ups, to see if we could duck elbows on post-ups, " Gentry said, a not-to-thinly veiled nod to the Lakers' style. "So it all works out, it all works out."

 

[j804]

Beat LA

[indeedproceed]

I wish Phil Jackson would just go away. You'd think he'd realize by now his smug mind games don't work as well when he doesn't have Jordan or Shaq on his team. Great comeback by Nash.

Steve Nash is awesome. Phil Jackson is smug, arrogant, and also, in his own way, awesome. Remember after game 2 of the finals when he was reading the box score at the podium and said "It looks like a 'Leon Powe' shot more free throws in fifteen minutes of play than our entire team did all game. My first thought is, 'What's a Leon Powe'?"