Machinations and maneuvers. It's your move, Pat Riley!

I can’t believe that Stan Van Gundy fell for it. But then again, Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson knows what buttons to push. Phil’s been around for so long that anything he says or does is calculated. And Van Gundy is so predictable with his comments as he is such an emotional coach.

Jackson was interviewed yesterday on The Waddle and Silvy Show about a variety of topics and when asked about the situation in Miami where the super team that was assembled in the off season is struggling. Said Jax: "The scenario that sits kind of behind the scene, is that eventually these guys that were recruited -- [Chris] Bosh and [LeBron] James -- by [team president] Pat Riley and Micky Arison, the owner, are going to come in and say, 'We feel you [Riley] can do a better job coaching the team. We came here on the hopes that this would work,' and whatever, I don't know," Jackson said. "That's kind of my take on it, is that eventually if things don't straighten out here soon, it could be the Van Gundy thing all over again."

Stan Van Gundy reacted strongly to Jackson’s remarks by saying that he was ignorant of the situation in Miami where he stepped down after an 11-10 start in the 2005-06 season. Van Gundy relinquished his role as head coach because he said that he wanted to spend time with his family.

Total BS. Because if he wanted to do that then why is he in Orlando?

Jackson’s comments were to stymie Miami and to further fan the flames of the rivalry between the Heat and the Magic. With those comments, there will be more pressure on Erik Spoelstra to win after an 8-6 start and Riley will be forced to stand pat (pun intended) so as to prove everyone wrong that he is not a power hungry coach and that he has faith in his loyal assistant. Everyone seems to think that a coaching change can happen at any time should the heat freefall. By saying that, Jackson fueled even more speculation.

Those comments irked Van Gundy too because there is now pressure on him to make sure the team gets back to the NBA Finals after last year’s flop in the playoffs and he will have to beat Miami to prove that he is a worthy coach.

Some might say that it’s too early for Jackson to be busting chops. Exactly. Cause some dissent now and watch the others continue to self-destruct. Hahaha. Even after all these years, they’ve not learned to play the game.


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