FROM ORLANDO, FLA. — We probably won't know who has been actually coaching the Lakers this series until Phil's next book is published.
Right now the best we can do is offer congrats to Coach Phil & Coach Kobe and thanks to the Magic for playing as if it has never been coached to win a big game.
The guy coaching the Magic was so outclassed against the likes of Coaches Phil & Kobe, he was playing a rusty Jameer Nelson with the game on the line.
If the guy's not coaching a YMCA team next season, he might want to instruct Nelson not to sag on a three-point shooter like Derek Fisher when leading by three.
As for the Lakers, it's very confusing at times who is in charge around here, especially the way Kobe has been playing.
Sometimes he's working his teammates into the game, sometimes taking on the Magic all by himself and whatever -- usually a surprise to Phil which way it's going to go.
Phil has mentioned it several times, beginning with his pre-fourth quarter interview with ABC's Doris Burke in Game 1 after Kobe exploded for 18 points, suggesting it was time for Kobe to involve his teammates.
So I asked Phil if Kobe has been uncoachable at times in this series, knowing Phil's gone there before in print.
I got an abrupt "no" from Phil, so I read to him something veteran NBA player Alonzo Mourning had said in a national conference call a day earlier.
"I think Phil is just showing up, to tell you the truth, and Kobe is doing all the work to make this team successful."
Jackson's response: "That's a pretty good assessment from a guy who played 15 years or so in the NBA."
It sounded as if he was seconding Mourning's remarks, but to be sure, I asked, "Do you buy it?"
"Kobe is doing a lot of the work," Phil said. "I'm just kind of sitting on my chair."
And everyone in the room laughed.
If Kobe is coaching the Lakers, I just don't see him having Farmar, Vujacic, Powell, Walton and Gasol on the court at the same time as he's sitting on the bench.
But then check out most team huddles with the game on the line, and who's doing the talking?
So later I returned to the topic of who is coaching the Lakers, telling Phil "I want to go back to your abrupt 'no.' When you deal with Kobe, do you always know what he's going to do . . . do you struggle with that a little bit?"
"No," was his abrupt answer, and the room exploded in laughter.
