"Unceasing Change turns the Wheel of Life"
I thought Chris Broussard's article in yesterday's New York Times, "Jackson Is Smiling Through the Tumult", was an excellent one.
Jackson's critics have maintained that he wins only because he has the superstars to win championships. However, they're missing the boat with regards to how Jackson has been able to adapt to a new environment, changing player attitudes, the constant moodiness emanating from his players, and the off-the-court drama like Kobe Bryant's court case.
The statement that intrigued me the most about Jackson's ability to adapt to change was his explanation of the statement that is tacked on his bulletin board in his office. As he explains to Broussard, "There's a Buddhist statement that I have up on my bulletin board at home and it says, 'Unceasing change turns the wheel of life, and so realtiy is shown in all it's many forms,'"..."The basic emphasis is that unceasing change is always going to happen. We as human beings want control. We want to control our environment, our situation, and dealing with change becomes the most difficult thing in our lives. And it's that way in basketball."
"In having this great change, that statement is something I've been able to hold onto. So I'm making an effort to go with it rather than to rail against it."
This is why I believe that Jackson is one of the greatest coaches in sports history. He not only has won championships, but he has adapted to change. Instead of whining and pining for the days of old where individuals cared more about the team's objectives, Jackson has adapted to the players' wills and stayed focused on driving the team toward their goal, which is to win a NBA Championship.
Even though he has removed breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation sessions because of the "divisiveness" in the locker room that is supposedly caused by Kobe Bryant's energy, he has focused his energies upon game tape reviews and X's and O's with his legendary coaching staff of Jim Cleamons, Tex Winter, and Frank Hamblen. As a result, he adapted to the group's wants and needs instead of forcing them to adapt to proven practices that they didn't want.
Although the groundswell of rumors is starting to emanate from the media that Jackson is headed to New York after this season or after a year-long break. I'm not buying it. Despite his love for New York and his former Knick team, I can't see him working for ego-maniac GM, Isiah Thomas. Especially with the past wars that are between the two over the past decade.
My bet is that he chooses when to step down as a coach. He becomes a corporate speaker, who tours the country extolling the benefits of practicing spirtuality in the workplace.
"The Great Bird Spreads His Wings Again",
BD
Jackson's critics have maintained that he wins only because he has the superstars to win championships. However, they're missing the boat with regards to how Jackson has been able to adapt to a new environment, changing player attitudes, the constant moodiness emanating from his players, and the off-the-court drama like Kobe Bryant's court case.
The statement that intrigued me the most about Jackson's ability to adapt to change was his explanation of the statement that is tacked on his bulletin board in his office. As he explains to Broussard, "There's a Buddhist statement that I have up on my bulletin board at home and it says, 'Unceasing change turns the wheel of life, and so realtiy is shown in all it's many forms,'"..."The basic emphasis is that unceasing change is always going to happen. We as human beings want control. We want to control our environment, our situation, and dealing with change becomes the most difficult thing in our lives. And it's that way in basketball."
"In having this great change, that statement is something I've been able to hold onto. So I'm making an effort to go with it rather than to rail against it."
This is why I believe that Jackson is one of the greatest coaches in sports history. He not only has won championships, but he has adapted to change. Instead of whining and pining for the days of old where individuals cared more about the team's objectives, Jackson has adapted to the players' wills and stayed focused on driving the team toward their goal, which is to win a NBA Championship.
Even though he has removed breathing exercises, yoga, and meditation sessions because of the "divisiveness" in the locker room that is supposedly caused by Kobe Bryant's energy, he has focused his energies upon game tape reviews and X's and O's with his legendary coaching staff of Jim Cleamons, Tex Winter, and Frank Hamblen. As a result, he adapted to the group's wants and needs instead of forcing them to adapt to proven practices that they didn't want.
Although the groundswell of rumors is starting to emanate from the media that Jackson is headed to New York after this season or after a year-long break. I'm not buying it. Despite his love for New York and his former Knick team, I can't see him working for ego-maniac GM, Isiah Thomas. Especially with the past wars that are between the two over the past decade.
My bet is that he chooses when to step down as a coach. He becomes a corporate speaker, who tours the country extolling the benefits of practicing spirtuality in the workplace.
"The Great Bird Spreads His Wings Again",
BD
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