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Rivers Should Leave, Jackson Should Stay

Jun 19, 2010 – 1:52 AM
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Jay Mariotti

Jay Mariotti %BloggerTitle%

Phil Jackson, Kobe BryantLOS ANGELES -- As another gold banner dropped from the rafters and moving pockets of psychos lit cars on fire, beat up people and momentarily made California anything but a dream, there was another indelible scene that shouldn't be lost. One after another, Doc Rivers and Phil Jackson sat down at the post-game interview podium, a young man curiously looking old and an old man suddenly looking young.

Normally, the smart advice would be for Rivers to breathe in, breathe out and push forward with the Celtics in the prime of his coaching career. Normally, the smart advice would be for Jackson to retire, take immediate care of his health problems, settle back in his beachside home in Playa del Rey, reconcile himself with his age -- "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm 64?" Paul McCartney sang -- and savor the 11 championship rings he has won with the Lakers and Chicago Bulls over the past 20 years, the most by any pro coach in the history of American sports. But understand, please, that these are unique cases requiring counterintuitive recommendations.

Seems the man who needs a doc should stay one more year.

Seems the man known as Doc should slip away for one year.
Filed under: NBA, Sports

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