Phil Jackson is driving me nuts

1. Playing the mind game a bit too much. This time is Vlad. Granted he can play really dumb but this year he's been hustling pretty well. And with him shooting almost ~50% at the 3pt line, the opposing teams can't collapse in the painted area as much. Ariza is great but before he has that consistent jumper, he can't space the floor.

2. Defense. Nobody expected the Lakers to click on offense right way because of the new ling ups. But defense is all about effort and focus. It is the coach's responsibility to preach the defensive mindset. And with weak teams that are both young and speedy, there is no need to play as much strong-side zone and double whoever has the ball. The coach should be able to make adjustments.

3. Offense. The Lakers were one of the best passing teams last season but with Bynum back, they are relying on sheer size and talent to win the early games. But 20-something games into the season, if they still haven't established consistent low-post plays and still play perimeter-first, guard-dominant offense, it is the coach's fault.

4 Set plays in crunch time. If you watch the LAL-MIA game, you'd see a prime example of what other teams run for their star players. Wade shakes Kobe off with consistent high screens. Hack, Cleveland even runs double screens to set Lebron up. And yet what is set for Kobe? Nothing, none, same old isolation when he has to work his way around multiple defenders, with half-assed picks that oftentimes end up with a double right away. It couldn't be more obvious if you watch the last play. Phil called a time-out and yet it is still Kobe iso. What's the point of calling a time-out then? No screens?

Come one, you'd think you can get something more out of a coach with 9 rings, no?