Letters: Phil Jackson, make up your mind

Geno Apicella

Placentia

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In order for the Lakers to win a third consecutive NBA championship next year, it will depend on the following three Rs:

1. Return of Phil Jackson as coach

2. Re-signing of Derek Fisher

3. Retaining Ron Artest's psychiatrist

Wayne Muramatsu

Cerritos

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I am glad The Times finally gave Kobe the credit he deserves ["Can you top this?" June 20]. His skills, focus, consistency and dedication are often overlooked. Michael Jordan was the greatest in his day, but Kobe's scoring abilities against modern defense is phenomenal and unprecedented. When you see Kobe on court, you see a player who has "winning and only winning matters" written all over his face.

Veena Mathew

Corona

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So now Kobe Bryant has five championships, the same total as Magic Johnson. The comparisons must stop in their tracks at that moment.

Kobe should never, ever, be considered equal to the greatest Laker of all time, Magic Johnson. Even if Kobe gets a sixth, this in no way makes him "better" than Magic. Yes he's a great player, but L.A. fans should know better. It's not only about how many rings.

Luke Aiello

Mission Viejo

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For Kobe Bryant to be considered in the same class as the likes of Jerry West and Magic Johnson, he needs to show some class of his own.

To watch Kobe react, you'd think he gets fouled on every play or never commits a foul of his own. When he eliminates those displays of glaring at, or jawing at, the officials on his way down the court, Bryant will begin to demonstrate personal qualities that can ultimately match his brilliant talent.

Harvey Buzin

Sierra Madre

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I don't know if Kobe Bryant is the greatest Laker in history. But I do know that one cannot determine a player's greatness by merely counting the number of rings he has. Why is it that so many fans have this abnormal desire to name the greatest Laker or NBA player ever? There are a number of great Lakers. Why can't we just leave it at that?

Ralph S. Brax

Lancaster

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Shaq back with the Lakers next year? They get him for veteran minimum. He's a major upgrade over Mbenga. He comes off the bench and spells Gasol & Bynum for 10-15 minutes a game. Stays relatively rested. Injury insurance for Bynum. Gets to retire as a Laker, possibly with another championship. Heals all the old wounds. Becomes beloved by Laker fans again. His jersey No. 34 goes up there with all the other Lakers greats. Shaq loyalists can return as Lakers fans to join the party.

And for Kobe it ensures there is no way Shaq can catch him for rings. It a match made in heaven.

Paul Grafton

Morro Bay

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It's time to acknowledge the teams that are really responsible for the last three NBA Championships. The Minnesota Timberwolves gave the Celtics a 2008 championship by giving away Kevin Garnett and the Memphis Grizzlies gave the Lakers 2009 and 2010 titles by handing out Pau Gasol.

Both perennial losers asked nothing for themselves in return for these gifts. Truly unselfish acts.

Bruce Kahn

Claremont

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Just finished watching Game 7 for the umpteeth time. Has Jeff Van Gundy stopped talking yet?

Phil Trujillo

Ontario

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If the LAPD counted only 70,000 people at the Lakers parade, it's no wonder the jails are overcrowded.

Richard Hardt

Long Beach

Kicking it around

Thank you, Bill Plaschke ["Let's think like a soccer superpower," June 25], from someone who is part of the generation that played and follows soccer and has always expected a great deal from our team. The only surprise isn't our success, but the continual babble of those that devalue soccer's popularity and our demands from our team. Here's looking at you, Alexi Lalas, for calling us the underdog going into Saturday's game. We should be doing this well and it is no surprise to me, my friends, or our parents (the soccer moms and dads that are still watching the sport).

Rachel Bosma

Manhattan Beach

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No matter what Bill Plaschke says and doesn't understand about soccer, the U.S.-Algeria game was the most exciting match I've ever seen. Soccer is soccer and the favored team doesn't always win — just ask "big boys" Italy and France.

Richard Karliss

Malibu

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