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Lakers Coach Phil Jackson: Do As I Say, Not As I Do

Is Zen Master a euphemism for hypocrite?

I was caught off guard by [Jackson's take] take on the Phoenix Suns’ peaceful protest of Arizona’s new immigration enforcement law in the form of wearing their “Los Suns” jerseys. First Jackson, who has showed lefty leanings in the past, indicated he had no problem with the controversial state Senate Bill 1070. “Am I crazy, or am I the only one that heard [the legislature] say ‘we just took the United States immigration law and adapted it to our state,’” Jackson said. I told him they usurped the federal law. “It’s not usurping, it’s just copying it is what they said they did, and then they gave it some teeth to be able to enforce it,” Jackson said.

Then he mildly scolded the Suns. “I don’t think teams should get involved in the political stuff. And I think this one’s still kind of coming out to balance as to how it’s going to be favorably looked upon by our public. If I heard it right the American people are really for stronger immigration laws, if I’m not mistaken. Where we stand as basketball teams, we should let that kind of play out and let the political end of that go where it’s going to go.”

Jackson of course does not know what he is talking about. But the hypocrisy he knows pretty darn well. But what else to expect from a 2000 Bill Bradley supporter (my loathing of Bill Bradley is of long standing):

That was surprising to hear coming from a man who not only supported Bill Bradley for the Democratic presidential nomination, he wore a Bradley campaign pin on his suit during games. Jackson reminded me that the NBA made him stop wearing it. And apparently that was the end of his political proclamations…although he did take one parting shot.

“I kind of wish [Bradley] would have been the president,” Jackson said. “After all was said and done, that [George W. Bush] situation.”

If there was the need for anymore reason to root against the Lakers, Jackson gave it to us.

Speaking for me only

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  • Display: Sort:
    I didn't think there was need for another (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by observed on Thu May 06, 2010 at 07:59:29 AM EST
    reason to root against the Lakers, but thanks.

    Phil, Phil, Phil... (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Dadler on Thu May 06, 2010 at 11:12:25 AM EST
    Tell Kareem and Walton they were wrong to be so political at UCLA.  It seemed to serve them so poorly in life.

    Hell, I guess Jackie Robinson should've declined to play for the Dodgers, since doing so was, among other things, a highly political act.  

    In a free country, the personal IS the political, coach.  Your STATEMENT about it is political. Why not just remain silent rather than add more?

    I think ZenMaster might've lost a little blood to the brain during those hip replacements.

    Go Lakers.

    Blah...

    Buddha squats, double-hands a high arc'd offering (none / 0) (#1)
    by Ellie on Thu May 06, 2010 at 07:44:40 AM EST
    ... from the perimeter ...

    I don't think teams should get involved in the political stuff. [/Jackson]

    ... OHHHHhhhhhh, wotta brick!

    Nice sentiment, if the instances teams stayed OUT of political commentary was in the name of doing the egregiously wrong thing.

    But even in this prim denunciation, Jackson reserves the right of political expression for himself that he's slamming from the players. (A ball hog AND a chukkah!)

    Strange, given that Los Suns have run the gamut from having the classiest outspoken politico (Steve "Shortlisted Dreamboat Mr. Ellie" Nash) to the loosest, out-of-control, continually spewing cannon in maybe all of sports (Sir Charles "My Big-Assed Bad-Assed Sump'n on the Side" Barkley).

    Namah'ste, all.

    Are you mad because he spoke out (none / 0) (#3)
    by abdiel on Thu May 06, 2010 at 11:05:43 AM EST
    or because you disagree with what he's saying?

    I don't think he's being hypocritical. The Suns as a team were essentially forced to wear the Los Suns jerseys and it's doubtful any of them could have refused. They didn't decide on their own to do that. His Bradley pin was his own decision and he didn't impose it on his players.

    Not how I heard it... (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by kdog on Thu May 06, 2010 at 11:31:58 AM EST
    the Suns owner first brought the idea to his players for a vote, and they all agreed to wear the jerseys...they were not forced.  In fact, team leader Steve Nash has been outspoken in his criticism of this crap law.

    Parent
    Well, shoot. I guess the coach (none / 0) (#6)
    by oldpro on Fri May 07, 2010 at 03:32:44 PM EST
    thinks that was then, this is now.

    Yah.  Hypocrite.

    Even worse, a dumb hypocrite for ever supporting Bradley for president.  Zesus.