Phil Jackson on Player's In-Game Responsibilities

Some excellent insight on how Phil Jackson foster independence in his players from a June 9 interview by Kevin Ding in the OCREGSTER.COM

It is not about empowering as much as developing the mindset that your players are responsible for helping to determine what is effective and what is not in the flow of a game.

Q. That two man game that Kobe and Derek were running last night, is that a wrinkle of the triangle offense or some of their improvise drawn up on their own?

PHIL JACKSON: No, it’s just the most basic format we have, based on strong side fill and get the ball moving and what happens. But in the process of a couple actions that went on prior to that, they recommended that this is a place where we can go that’ll make a difference. They don’t want to come off Kobe to have to deal with it.

So, you know, we can take advantage of this, and we did.

Q. Is that something that you empower the players to be able to come to you and suggest that type of thing?

PHIL JACKSON: It’s really their responsibility, it’s not even empowering. It’s their responsibility to understand how they’re being played inside and what we do and recommend those things and make the adjustments on court. That’s what they’re to do, the veterans.